Discusses the problems that exist when organizational policies are written on a reading level which is inappropriate for the intended employees. Management must assess and adjust readability levels of policies and procedures, write policies in a clear manner, provide background, define terms, improve supervisor development, and use trainers more…

Reducing the tenure system inevitably involves costs to both employer and employee and especially affects the attraction of employment in the institution, including faculty mobility, institutional academic standing, and faculty goodwill. Long-term implications of such reform should be carefully weighed before changes are undertaken. (MSE)

Describes the concept of quality circles: small, homogeneous groups of workers who discuss product improvement. The idea originated in Japan and has infiltrated U.S. industry and, ultimately, U.S. schools. Explains the quality circle program in the Muskegon (Michigan) schools and its effects in improving communication among employees and…

Cites court cases and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines that affix employer liability for sexual harassment. Offers management advice on developing policies and practices for dealing with sexual harassment that are based on responses from 74 "Fortune 500" firms. (Author/MLF)

Describes the InterFace Project, a pilot study to improve race relationships between supervisors and employees in South African industry. Behavior modeling training was used. Structured interviews indicated dramatic improvements in inter-race attitudes and observations for both supervisors and employees. Second post-test improvements were greater…

Examines current needs and trends of child care options in the United States, and discusses industrial responses to providing day care services. The advantages and disadvantages of industry-related day care and options available are also discussed. (Author/DB)

Describes the "Z" type training methods used in Japan. This training emphasizes interpersonal relations, long-term development, participative relationships, ability to perform several jobs, and individual patience and tolerance. (CT)

Presents a selection of summaries of recent judicial decisions in a number of countries concerninq the application of general legal principles to contracts of employment, acquired rights, liability of employers and workers, access to employment, nature of the employment relationship, and more. (Editor/CT)

Noted that satisfaction with organizational life may be a function of equivocality (uncertainty) reduction rather than participation. Tested the hypothesis that perceived information adequacy is an indicator of equivocality. Results suggest that the equivocality model provides a better explanation of satisfaction than the participation model. (PD)

Discusses a U.S. Supreme Court decision involving public employers'"mixed motives" in discharging employees for constitutionally protected and unprotected reasons. Describes the Court's test to distinguish which reason was the dominant factor. (RW)

Explores the impact of sex role expectations upon leadership behavior and responses to that behavior by subordinates of male and female managers in a simulated business environment. (Author/JLF)

Describes a guidance and information dossier compiled at the University of Lyon-II to assist foreign students working under an "au pair" arrangement. Explains how the dossier is used as instructional material in French language and civilization classes, suggesting that such training should take place in the country of origin. (MES)

Describes the role and socioeconomic status of translators in the Latin American countries. Blames the poor quality of translations on inadequate compensation based on the piecework system. It also advocates translators' unionization as a first step to obtain higher salaries and contracts covering all benefits guaranteed to workers under labor…

Job satisfaction and involvement relate to a need for achievement and dominance, but not to the need for autonomy. Employees with achievement needs succeed in a Scanlon Plan environment. Participative management also appeals to those with dominance needs. (JAC)

Discusses various elements of industrial relations research: general directions for research; outcomes and effects of bargaining; determination of wages and economic benefits; nonmonetary bargaining; improving labor-management relations; grievance procedures and arbitration; public sector labor-management relations; policy formation and…