Governments of today are under increasing pressure to deliver more and better services within the constraints of limited resources. Employees are central to service delivery and the calibre of those appointed in a public institution is often evident in the quality of services rendered and the number of complaints received. Managing human capital in the public sector encompasses all activities starting from the recruitment of staff to the final termination of services. Managing human capital in the public sector is rooted in theory while using case studies to bring the learning experience closer to a public sector work environment. It supports a problem-based learning approach and prepares graduates to perform duties in a human capital environment with minimal on-the-job training. Contents include the following: Strategic human capital management; Acquisition and assimilation of employees into the workplace; Affirmative action, employment equity and managing diversity; Public sector compensation; Motivating staff; Performance management; Training in the public sector; Career management; Talent and retention management; Employee relations; Managing employee wellness in the workplace. Managing human capital in the public sector is aimed at students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as human capital practitioners in the public sector.

From ancient times, the conduct of human beings, and what is deemed acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, has been an intriguing and much-debated topic for people from all walks of life. This is even more so for public officials, both appointed and elected, who by nature of the public duty they fulfil, are held to a higher moral standard by the broader society. Unethical conduct not only impacts negatively on the social contract that government has with the public but also affects the rights of citizens, who are taxpayers. Ethics in the public sector is being published at a time when the South African public sector is grappling with serious issues relating to ethics, with startling revelations of conduct by government officials that directly contradicts the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, which prescribe high standards of ethical behaviour. Ethics in the public sector is arranged in such a way as to provide a unique understanding of public sector ethics. It includes discussions of two other African countries, Botswana and Namibia, to provide perspective. Main themes include the theory and philosophical foundation of public sector ethics, the African context of ethics, the policy framework for ethics, role players in ethics, causes of unethical behaviour and remedies for unethical behaviour. It also comes at a time when most universities across South Africa are reconsidering curricula for alignment and relevance to the challenges that public officials and politicians deal with daily. Ethics is an area that has thus far received insufficient attention both at universities and in practice. Ethics in the public sector is aimed at students, officials and politicians.