The author highlights the predominance of the five-day, 40-hour workweek. Although finding little change in recent years in the proportion of workers on 40-hour schedules, Smith notes that there have been some changes in work patterns, with a still small but growing group of workers on "compressed" full-time weeks of less than five days.…

Presents highlights of the issue's eight other articles that examine data from a special 1985 household survey covering topics such as the number of workers who moonlight, who work at home, who have flexible hours, or who would prefer to work more or fewer hours per week. (Author/CT)

The number of Americans working for themselves continues to increase, reaching 9.1 million in 1983. They tend to be older than other workers, and although they work longer hours, their earnings are lower. (SK)

The author focuses on the workday and finds that about one of eight full-time workers were on flexitime or other schedules that allowed them to vary the start and end of their daily work. The great majority were on typical daylight schedules. (CT)

Examines changes in employment, unemployment, and hours of work in manufacturing, with particular focus on the five major metal-using and producing industries which are particularly sensitive to economic cycles. (SK)

Bureau of Labor Statistics data show the industrial sector as a whole in healthy shape, but a few manufacturing industries in deep trouble. These industries include tobacco manufacturers, iron and steel foundries, leather products, and steel manufacturers. Also examines shifts in employment and output, job quality, and outlook for the future. (CT)

This handbook offers a comprehensive view of the labor force activity of women in the United States and describes a range of legal and socioeconomic developments that have had an effect upon women's participation and progress in the work force. Through numerous statistical charts and tables, the book depicts change and reactions to change in the…

This study presents data from the 1979 Income Survey Development Program (ISDP) on lifetime work interruptions and examines the relationship between work interruptions and earnings. Descriptive data showing the extent to which men and women have experienced work interruptions are presented, followed by an analysis of the impact of work…