Welcome!

Thank you for your Power Learning Series registration.  We are so excited you have looked to PSHRA® to help you grow in your career.

The Power Learning Series offers you a new way to grow your skills without the time commitment of a full course. 

In this course, learners will explore the full investigation process from intake to reporting, with a focus on balancing legal, ethical, and organizational considerations. Participants will gain tools to plan, conduct, and document investigations with fairness, consistency, and clarity. The content will be delivered through a realistic and engaging case study.

Learners will gain the skills to conduct fair and effective workplace investigations. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online meetings.

Recertification Points:  PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5

Don’t hesitate to contact us - PSHRA – Debbie Tankersely-Snook, Associate Director, Member Programs, Membership - meetings@pshra.org.

Making public sector work better®.

Course Syllabus

Ethics and policy form the foundation of responsible public-sector HR practice. This course examines the ethical principles, governance structures, and policy expectations that shape HR decision-making across government. Learners will explore contemporary challenges, ethical dilemmas, accountability mechanisms, and best-practice frameworks that support fair, transparent, and integrity-driven HR operations.

Overview

Through a mix of instruction, applied frameworks, case studies, and guided analysis, participants will strengthen their ability to interpret policy, assess ethical risks, navigate conflicting pressures, and promote cultures rooted in trust and public service values.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain core ethical principles and theories and apply them to HR and public-sector decision-making.
2. Identify ethical risks and integrity challenges within HR processes, including recruitment, promotion, performance management, and policy administration.
3. Interpret and apply codes of ethics and standards of conduct within a public-sector HR context.
4. Strengthen organizational ethical culture using HR tools related to hiring, onboarding, leadership development, and accountability.
5. Use structured ethical decision-making frameworks to analyze and respond to complex dilemmas.
6. Recognize conflicts of interest, policy inconsistencies, and areas of vulnerability within HR systems and recommend corrective steps.
7. Promote transparency, fairness, and good governance in HR operations and organizational leadership.
8. Effectively advise leaders on ethical considerations, policy implications, and risk mitigation strategies.

Program Components

Module 1 — Foundations of Ethics in Public Sector HR

Topics Covered

• Why ethics matter in government HR
• Major ethical theories and practical applications
• Public-service values and professional responsibility
• HR as steward, strategist, and guardian of trust

Module 2 — Professional Standards & Codes of Conduct

Topics Covered

• Purpose and structure of HR codes of ethics
• Core principles: fairness, impartiality, confidentiality, transparency
• Ethical leadership behaviors and modeling expectations
• Documentation and rationale in ethical decision-making

Module 3 — Ethical Risks & Integrity Challenges in HR

Topics Covered

• Risks in hiring, promotion, and classification decisions
• Favoritism, undue influence, and political pressure
• Conflicts of interest and divided loyalties
• Misuse of authority and breaches of trust
• Systems weaknesses that enable misconduct
• Subtle or “quiet” forms of unethical behavior

Module 4 — Building Ethical Culture & Governance Structures

Topics Covered

• HR’s role in shaping organizational culture
• Governance mechanisms and internal controls
• Transparency practices and reporting pathways
• Whistleblowing, psychological safety, and anti-retaliation norms
• Leadership impact on ethical climates

Module 5 — Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks (Applied Practice)

Topics Covered

• Structured reasoning processes
• Assessing stakeholders, principles, and consequences
• Applying policies and values to real situations
• Navigating ambiguity and competing obligations
• Hands-on scenario walkthroughs
• Developing confidence in ethical judgment

Module 6 — Policy, Accountability & Public Trust

Topics Covered

• Designing clear, enforceable HR policy
• Aligning policy with ethical expectations
• Accountability structures and compliance practices
• Managing gray areas and policy gaps
• The relationship between ethical HR and public confidence

The course will be delivered over three-weeks with 3 one-hour weekly online meetings.

Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible.  We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.  

All your course materials will be found on your course dashboard.

Course Design:

The course will be delivered over three-weeks with three one-hour sessions per week.  You will receive details about the dates, times, and the URL for your course meetings

Time Commitment:

Plan for 1 hour for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for course meetings. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the course meeting to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).

Meetings and Discussions:

• Course Cohort Meetings take place in Zoom Events – You will access them through your course "Content Tab."
• Course Discussion Board take place in Your Course’s Engage Community – You will access the Engage Community through your course "Content Tab."

Course Meeting Session Schedule (subject to change):

• Start Date: 1/22/2026
• Completion Date: 2/5/2026
• Meeting 1:  1/14/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
• Meeting 2:  1/21/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
• Meeting 3:  1/28/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET

Certificate of Attendance:  You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.

Cancellation Policy:  Professional Development Cancelation Policy

Recertification Points:  PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5

Making public sector work better®.

Patrick Henley, DBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Dr. Patrick Henley is the Director of Human Resources & Risk Management at Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, where he has led transformative efforts in leadership development, risk strategy, and organizational planning. With over 22 years of HR leadership experience, Patrick is known for blending strategic insight with a people-first approach. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, an MBA, and a BS in Psychology, and is certified as both an SPHR and SHRM-SCP. Patrick is also an award-winning HR professional, recognized for excellence in Learning & Development, Total Rewards, and Diversity & Inclusion. A passionate educator, he teaches HR and Business courses at the college level and frequently speaks at industry conferences. His work focuses on aligning people strategy with business outcomes through continuous improvement and leadership excellence.