Purpose: The unanticipated changes in state legislation in Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin in 2011-12 significantly restricted or entirely prohibited the collective bargaining rights of teachers. Considering these institutional changes as a natural experiment, we examine the causal impact of weakening teacher unionization on…

Traditionally, rehabilitation has been closely associated with vocational potential and return to work post-injury, or the maintenance of work attendance following the onset of chronic disease. Indeed, so close was the association that the terms "rehabilitation" and "vocational rehabilitation" were virtually synonymous. Over…

The postinjury return-to-work (RTW) status of 502 injured workers in Montana who were referred for vocational rehabilitation services between 1984 and 1991 was examined to determine which variables improved the capacity to predict RTW outcomes after injury. Predictor variables included age, education, attorney involvement, mandated vocational…

The increase in apprenticeships and on-the-job experiences at schools and vocational institutions has increased school administrators' and employers' legal responsibilities. One major legal concern is responsibility for student injury at the training site. While all states have workers' compensation laws, states have varying laws concerning…

Recent court cases involving tort liabilities of institutions of higher education are discussed in this chapter. Issues addressed include negligence citations for injuries in physical education classes, a wrongful death suit, medical malpractice cases, and slip and fall accidents. Other cases included fraudulent misrepresentation, defamation of…

Charges that the overwhelming majority of victims of work-related illnesses are not receiving their entitlements. Describes ways in which social workers and health professionals may become advocates to broaden the effectiveness of the workers' compensation system, illustrated by case studies from the Montefiore Project. (Author/JAC)

Regardless of the techniques, model specifications, time periods, and data sets used, studies on the effects of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits on the duration of unemployment of individuals all indicate that UI prolongs spells of unemployment and lowers employment among its recipients. Unfortunately, the magnitudes of these estimated effects…

Provides different perspectives on comparable worth issues. Covers the following topics: (1) competing explanations for the wage gap; (2) indirect approaches to wage equity; (3) the need for a direct approach to wage equity; (4) job evaluation; (5) application of comparable worth principles to compensation systems; and (6) strategies for adopting…

Discusses the expanding role of the rehabilitation counselor into private sector rehabilitation in the seven articles of this special issue. Topics cover private rehabilitation in an insurance context including forensics issues, computer applications, recent trends, services in a multiprogram private clinic, and rehabilitation counselor training.…

Decisions made by federal and state courts during 1983 concerning the liability of schools, school districts, school boards, or school employees in tort cases are reported in this chapter. Torts are civil causes of action based on noncontractual legal responsibilities that individuals have to avoid harming or injuring another's person, property,…

Legislated and administrative changes in the unemployment insurance system during the 1980s probably reduced the program's detrimental effects on labor market efficiency. They did so without changing the nature of the federal-state relationship that makes the program so unusual. Regrettably, though, they hurt the labor market status of low-wage…

This volume includes the following conference papers: "The Status and Direction of Workers' Compensation" (James R. Chelius); "The Minnesota Experience with Workers' Compensation Reform" (Steve Keefe); "The 1982 Changes in California" (Alan Tebb); "Two Rounds of Workers' Compensation Reform in Michigan" (H.…

Examines court decisions in 1995 concerning college and university tort liability in accidents. Issues addressed include defects in premises, inadequate facility maintenance, school policy concerning safety, recreational activities on campuses, student field experience programs, campus activities involving children, operation of campus housing,…

Judicial review of college and university decisions regarding faculty and other employees continues to encompass a broad range of actions, including selection and appointment; evaluation of performance; substantive and procedural aspects of nonretention or dismissal; alleged employment discrimination based upon sex, race, age, or national origin;…

The purpose of this chapter is to offer an overview and analysis of all the cases rendered during 1980 concerning the legal parameters of employment issues in institutions of higher education. Judicial review of employment decisions encompassed a broad range of actions, including selection and appointment; dismissal and nonrenewal; the termination…