The successful organization of the 1990s will fundamentally remake its employee relationship, especially through increased employee influence on the nature of work, organizational context, and quality of product/service. An employee advocacy peer review conflict resolution process has been useful in improving labor relations and enhancing the…

Problems arising from ineffective personnel discipline are examined and a progressive approach designed to remediate bad practices is outlined. The progressive process provides for oral warnings, written warnings, suspensions, and then terminations. A checklist to take managers through the disciplinary process is included. (MSE)

A discussion of elder care looks at the extent to which government and employers are addressing the issue, how elder care affects the work performance of and productivity of employed caregivers, and how human resource professionals can respond effectively to the needs of both employee and employer as these needs relate to the issue of elder care.…

College and university personnel managers are urged to pay more attention to employees who operate behind the scenes by: finding a champion among them; linking work with institutional mission; hiring the best; encouraging customer service; soliciting ideas; fostering trust; enlarging responsibility; not upstaging; providing the best equipment; and…

A discussion of mandatory drug testing for college athletes reviews the National Collegiate Athletic Association's policy, arguments for and against such testing, the results of relevant court litigation, and the legal ramifications for college administration. The testing of employees in both public and private sectors is also briefly addressed.…

The important role of academic department secretaries at institutions of higher education is considered in the context of a survey of 121 academic department support staff. Possible strategies for retaining these valuable employees are offered, including accurate position descriptions, appropriate compensation, team-building programs, and special…

Practical advice is offered, to managers and supervisors at any level, on recognizing and analyzing interpersonal conflicts, managing such conflicts and making them productive, and ensuring that performance reviews result in progress for both supervisor and employee. Conflict is seen as inevitable, an opportunity to take action, and manageable.…

The importance of communication between the college or university and its employees over health care reform is discussed. Communication needs that have emerged from the health care reform debate are examined, and elements in a successful organizational communication strategy are outlined. (MSE)

Complexity of employee compensation policy is examined as it applies to colleges and universities. It is argued that sound compensation policy helps the institution attract and retain qualified, skilled employees. New approaches that shift the focus from job to employee are outlined, and their implications for institutions of higher education are…

When a college/university employee feels that his/her rights have been abrogated, the human resource department and in-house legal staff should be prepared to conduct a comprehensive, objective, and professional investigation. Such issues as proof of misconduct, "reasonable grounds," negligent investigation claims, and defamation claims are…

This article argues that a sound performance evaluation system benefits the employee, supervisor, and organization by providing a written record of efforts, by motivating employees, and by maximizing employee growth potential. It proposes that such performance evaluations are compatible with the Total Quality Management approach. Principles of…

Aspects of graduate students unionization are discussed both in general and in the context of the experiences of the State University of New York. Considered are the responsibilities of graduate and teaching assistants, the nature of the employment relationship, financial considerations, and the special case of interns and residents in teaching…

The cost reduction options available to public colleges and universities during a period of funding cutbacks are examined, and policy considerations in institutional and personnel management are examined. The experiences of Virginia Commonwealth University in deciding where and how to cut back expenditures are described briefly. (MSE)

Most higher-education institutions cannot compete with business/industry for information-technology (IT) workers, but can level the playing field by capitalizing on workers' desire for professional-development opportunities. Strategies include using the appeal of the institution's mission and as a training ground for future IT workers; redesigning…

A survey of human resource managers and non-American teaching faculty at colleges and universities in the southeast investigated institutional policies, faculty characteristics, and faculty perceptions of their role, workload, civic and professional activities, satisfaction with the academic and general community, and relationship with students.…