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.…

The next decade will bring demographic, economic, and technological change and higher employee educational levels. Colleges' willingness to be flexible, creative, and innovative to accommodate these changes will enhance the role of academic institutions in the 21st century. (MSE)

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)

Aspects of the new Employee Polygraph Protection Act are discussed, including exemptions, prohibited devices, limitations, exceptions, injury and access requirements, reasonable suspicion, drug industry investigations, procedural requirements, disclosure, basis for discharge, enforcement and remedies, and preemption and existing state laws. (MSE)

The article examines reasons for the decline in use of quality circles in higher education. A 1988 survey of eight universities and colleges using circles in 1986 found that because quality circle principles were violated, similar problems (such as inadequate training, problematic group membership, and exclusion of supervisors) were encountered at…

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) is examined: historical perspective (p. 5-20), section-by-section analysis (p. 21-34), guide to employer compliance with key provisions (p. 35-42), impact on employee relations in higher education (p. 43-45), appendices (p. 46-55), and bibliography (p.56). (LB)

An update on legal aspects of drug testing in the workplace looks at pre-employment screening, reasonable suspicion testing, routine testing in periodic physical examinations, random testing, and unionized employers. Practical guidelines are given for minimizing obtrusiveness, confirmatory tests, laboratory selection, notification of policy,…

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…