This review of research from 1991-96 on fair employment concerns highlights critical issues: interpretation of group differences in cognitive ability, effect of these differences on personnel decisions, and the efficacy of affirmative action. (118 references) (SK)

Summarizes the results of the American Society for Training and Development Human Resource and Performance Management Survey of 1996 that examined the performance outcomes of downsizing and high performance work systems, explored the relationship between high performance work systems and downsizing, and asked whether some downsizing practices were…

Volunteerism in third-sector charitable/volunteer organizations takes different forms and involves different practices depending on contexts. Four operating frameworks--charity, activist, welfare state, and market--facilitate, co-opt, or impede volunteer practices in different settings. (Contains 18 references.) (JOW)

A study investigated the distribution of young workers among firms of various sizes using the National Longitudinal Study of Labor Market Experience, New Youth Cohort, 1980-1985. The majority of young workers aged 15-29 were employed by small firms. Distribution was affected by gender, race, and educational attainment, but not by residence or high…

Considers employment policy and labor relations in three Japanese manufacturing plants in northeast England. Includes background information regarding their decision to locate there. (JOW)

A study of 470 Job Training Partnership Act female trainees identified barriers to nontraditional employment: economic, physical, emotional, social, and life experience/education. The survey was also sent to 297 businesses. Results showed that nontraditional trainees do not perceive the same barriers as employers do, and suggestions were made to…

Describes the contingent workforce as people who work part time or for temporary-help agencies or are self-employed. Lists occupations that employ the most temporary workers and looks at the pluses and minuses for both employers and workers. (JOW)

A review of 17 studies of high-performance work systems concludes that benefits of employee involvement, skill training, and other high-performance work practices tend to be greater when new methods are adopted as part of a consistent whole. (Author)

Notes that academic administrators who are frequently involved with employment references and hiring should view the increasing legal implications of employment references with apprehension. Offers guidelines for checking references and for giving out references. (RS)

About half of all private sector workers are employed in small businesses with fewer than 100 workers. Work hours, compensation, and other working conditions differ between these employees and their counterparts in larger establishments. (Author)

Eight true or false questions explore implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Topics include AIDS, drug abuse, undue hardship, reasonable accommodation, and company size affected by the law. (SK)

Managers' and professionals' (n=276) perceptions of a supportive work/family culture were related to use of work-family benefits. Employees in organizations with work-family benefits reported greater commitment, less intention to leave, and less work-family conflict. Supportive culture was significantly related to work attitudes. (SK)

Asserts that formal theories of justice and fairness should be integrated into career development theory and practice. Provides a framework using the constructs of distributive, procedural, and interactional justice. (SK)

Many top-level managers are retiring early. Programs to prepare their replacements have been scaled back. Many companies are offering phased retirement plans, redesigning jobs, and paying for spouses to go along on business trips to keep their managers a little longer. (JOW)

Age discrimination in the workplace is widespread and often based on stereotypes. Research has demonstrated that older workers learn and perform well. Adult educators should eliminate ways in which educational practices perpetuate ageism, raise awareness of it in the workplace, and help older workers continue learning. (SK)