These 20 suggestions for alienating and demotivating employees address various aspects of interpersonal competence and communication. Some examples are: never deal with issues; always attack the person; develop the art of pained silence; exercise your control by using a demand; and never forget the hidden potential of sarcasm. (JMD)

Notes that, for employers, the employment of foreign workers presents both great rewards and high risks. Outlines recent changes in immigration laws that affect employment and provides guidance for recruiters and placement directors that will make the hiring of immigrants understandable and reasonable. Includes a sidebar on how to qualify for a…

The authors present a marketing strategy that can be adapted by vocational educators to improve public opinion of the program. The strategy consists of four steps: (1) defining the image, (2) communicating image to newcomers, (3) communicating image through environment, and (4) conveying image in communications. (CH)

Discusses how administrators with responsibility for managing projects involving vendors outside the organization can cultivate a productive working relationship. Highlights include how to select and work with outside vendors; cultivating vendor skills; the role of the corporate client; the former employee as vendor; and a profile of a successful…

Explains the need for interpersonal skill standards to ensure that employees' interpersonal skills are as appropriate as their technical skills. Highlights include using groups to define interpersonal skill standards; how to derive interpersonal skill standards by consensus; and an example of interpersonal skill standards for doctors. (LRW)

Chronic nationwide absenteeism is one cause of the serious productivity gap we are now experiencing. Ways for management to develop an attendance-oriented staff are suggested. (Author/MLF)

Guidelines for managing library consulting engagements effectively cover the decision to use a consultant, definition of the problem area, finding the consultant, interviewing and evaluating the consultant, the psychological contract, the formal contract, and abdication of responsibility for the consulting project by the client. Seventeen sources…

New methods for campus recruiting include: video presentations, selective and personal mailings, and exposure of students to a company through work programs and career-related events. Applying public relations techniques and presenting a favorable employer image are also recommended. (KMF)

Addresses the following issues related to employee problem resolution: confronting rather than ignoring problems; preparing for confrontation and resolution of problems; the role of administration and middle management; character and trust as leadership factors; and management and supervisory training. (six references) (MES)

When supported by school and community facilities and reinforced by workplace health education, the family can serve as an effective channel for health education and the implementation and practice of wellness activities. (LH)

Proposes using an employee relations index (ERI) to measure factors affecting employee relations and job performance ability. Examines five of ten major ERI factors: attenance, turnover, safety, grievances/complaints, and motor vehicle accidents. Discusses weighing the factors and interpreting the outcome. (CSS)

The basis for most problems with merit pay plans is that the great majority of employees believe their own job performance is above average. Even a well-administered merit pay plan cannot give positive feedback to this majority. The likely consequence is that the employee's self-esteem is threatened. Often one copes with such a threat by demeaning…