A series of 10 workshops was held to identify racial problems and improve relations in a public service agency. The workshops focused on identifying cultural/historical myths underlying stereotypes and facilitating small group interaction to address work-related racial problems. (SK)

Reviews provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act that affect the public sector; examines in detail the concepts of reasonable accommodation and undue hardship in the act and in Equal Employment Opportunities Commission interpretations. (SK)

Ways to institutionalize ethics in government agencies include demonstrating moral leadership, making it a job qualification, training, establishing and enforcing a code, and including ethics in personnel management and performance appraisal. (SK)

Illustrates how the development of an effective competencies framework and a complimentary performance management program provide an opportunity for enterprise and individual growth and in increased shareholder value. Identifies key elements such as training and development and a supportive and motivating culture. (Author/JOW)

Survey responses from 79 of 92 citizens serving on boards, committees, and commissions for Carson City, Nevada, showed that 80% were interested in receiving training. Topics of interest included identifying and analyzing issues, understanding community resources, parliamentary procedure, group process, and listening skills. (SK)

Discusses special considerations affecting organizational development (OD) programs in public-sector organizations, presents guidelines for using OD procedures in the public sector, and offers conclusions about the applicability of OD in the public sector. (Author/JG)

Responses from 140 of 323 state agencies indicated the following: only 13% use formal needs assessment for 80% of their training; 39% survey employees about their needs; 31% depend on management mandates; group discussion and lecture were most often used methods; and 47% do not assess employees' job performance after training. (SK)

In an Internal Revenue Service office using total quality management (TQM), the management development program uses Myers Briggs Type Indicator and Adjective Check List for manager self-assessment. Because management commitment is essential to TQM, the process is a way of enhancing leadership skills and demonstrating appreciation of diversity. (SK)

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator is useful for team building and strengthening communication. However, it is misused if used for employee selection or for stereotyping. Managers should be trained in its proper use. (SK)

The following issues should be considered in charging fees to job applicants to take examinations in public agencies: legal authority to charge, purpose of fee, disposition of the money, how much to charge, whether refunds are given, effect on affirmative action, waivers for inability to pay, effect on attendance at the exam, and how much revenue…

The study compares public sector and private sector comparable worth litigation. Findings suggest that private sector organizations use the job classification method less than public sector employers in the litigated cases. Pay and promotion were focal points in public cases; lack of training opportunities was more prevalent in the private sector.…

An action research study examined the effects of executive coaching in a public municipal agency. A conventional training program followed by one-on-one executive coaching had 31 participants. Training increased productivity by 22.4%, whereas coaching produced a productivity gain of 88%. (JOW)

Discusses the "reasonable woman" standard in sexual harassment cases and gender-based differences in defining harassment. Investigates the issue of these differences in the emotional and psychological effects of hostile environments, using data from a survey of 8,523 public employees. (SK)

A comparison of earnings, education, mobility, interactions with subordinates and supervisors, job satisfaction, promotion, and turnover of men and women in middle-management federal civil service found that women have more problems with supervisors, are overall as satisfied with their treatment as men are, but are more likely to say they lost a…

Responses from 446 of 1,283 public agency personnel directors showed that 40% had ethical dilemmas when 2-career couples were employed in the same agency. Most prohibited only supervisory relationships between spouses and offered employment assistance. Reform of the merit system may be needed to stay competitive in the face of this demographic…