2026 Power Learning Series - Ethics and Policy in Public Sector HR - Starting 4/21/2026

Course Syllabus

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.  

Course Material (All you need is on your dashboard)

• Detailed Course Syllabus
• Ethics and Policy Participant Handbook
• Ethical Decision-Making
• Framework-Cheat Sheet

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. 

Course Meeting Session Schedule (subject to change):

• Start Date: 4/21/2026
• Completion Date: 5/5/2026
• Meeting 1:  4/21/2026 - 11:30 - 12:30 pm ET
• Meeting 2:  4/30/2026 - 11:30 - 12:30 pm ET
• Meeting 3:  5/5/2026 - 11:30 - 12:;30 pm ET

Course Content:

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

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

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.