Recent literature regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is reviewed. Also discussed are the results of a national survey of regional directors of Offices for Civil Rights to gain insight into the economic and social impact of Section 504 since its full implementation. (JH)

FWEP studied sexual inequity among farmworkers, staff, and board members of eight farmworker organizations. It found that inequities and limited opportunities did exist and a major impediment was women's lack of perception of the present inequities facing them. Journal availability: see RC 503 518. (DS)

Noting that government agencies can better measure a company's compliance with affirmative action policies if the company uses predictive techniques, two such techniques--the flow model and the optimizing--are described and briefly compared. (SH)

Describes the purposes, form, and content of staff appraisal schemes in ten countries' public administrations and discusses a number of related trends and issues. Examines the effects of these trends in light of the organizations' experiences and draws attention to the inadequate monitoring and evaluation of staff appraisal schemes. (Author/JG)

The legislative history of the fiduciary provisions are reviewed along with types of plans within the scope of ERISA. Basic fiduciary responsibilities are outlined, as are prohibited transactions, civil and co-fiduciary liability, and delegation of investment responsibility. For journal availability see HE 508 741. (LBH)

Wage discrimination by gender in reemployment was examined by decomposing the wage gap upon reemployment. Results suggest that employers are using discriminatory hiring practices that are less likely to be detected and harder to prove in court. (SK)

Ergonomics focuses on the prevention of injuries through proper design of equipment, workstations, and products. The adoption of an ergonomic philosophy in the workplace has demonstrable benefits. (JOW)

Traditional approaches to the development of a culturally aware work force have consistently ignored the importance of gender role and sexual orientation as sources of potential conflict in the workplace. Nursing must end personal and professional discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. (JOW)

In a sample of 503 dual-income relocated couples (employee and accompanying spouse) in the United States and Canada, sex of accompanying spouses and their job-seeking self-efficacy were the primary determinants of their need for employment assistance following relocation. (SK)

Interviews with 12 diversity experts identified initiatives most likely to assist transition of minority youth (training, outreach, career development, equitable policies); goals for successful transition (knowledge of diversity issues, career plan, ability to work in teams); and diversity-sensitive workplaces (successful in hiring/retaining…

Flexible employment has accounted for more than half of Silicon Valley's total employment growth in the past 10 years. Flexible employment has become a permanent strategy that may create insecurity for low-skilled workers; it also leads to a high turnover rate among highly skilled workers. (JOW)

Some Chinese organizations are moving away from production-oriented traditions. Resource-rich enterprises are using formal education to select and develop an elite. Organizations with less access to highly qualified recruits are also less likely to provide extensive training. The gap between organizations in terms of employee development is likely…

Case studies of four Scottish telephone call centers identified both quantitative (number of calls, average handling time) and qualitative (rapport, company pride) goals or targets set by management. Measurement of target attainment used continuous monitoring and other normative practices. Despite technological advances, the experience of call…

Multivariate analyses of data from the California Workplace Survey suggested that managers' participation in networks, especially professional and community organizations and internal networks, positively influenced the probability and intensity of adoption of high-performance work practices and training. Multiple affiliations increased the…

Issues facing child care administrators are discussed. Topics include the process of selling higher fees to parents; sick leave benefits; fund raising ideas; parent assistance in the classroom; parent-teacher programs; and staff input. (DG)