An American Association of University Professors survey of faculty salaries and fringe benefits is discussed. The report's three parts cover: (1) review of faculty salary changes over the last several years, (2) review of major fringe benefits and the relationship between salaries and compensation, and (3) salary comparisons. (MLW)

Several plans to improve productivity of workers by use of financial incentives are discussed, and provisions of three of the most successful are outlined, with implications for supervisory training in human resources development. (MF)

Corporations have found the promise of providing a college education to the children of employees--without the recognition of income to the parent-employee--to be a popular fringe benefit. The Internal Revenue Service has attacked educational benefit trusts in Revenue Ruling 75-448. Implications are discussed. (LBH)

Describes decision support software that teaches business students the processes and decisions necessary to develop a comprehensive, affordable, equitable package of wages and benefits. Includes sample guidelines for students and instructors. (SK)

The Educational Research Service's 1996-97 National Survey of Wages and Salaries in Public Schools reports average salaries of $80,176 paid to assistant superintendents, $65,797 paid to directors of business and finance, and $39,580 paid to classroom teachers. Salaries for chief business officials have kept pace with those of classroom teachers.…

Evaluated the effectiveness of parental leave as a social policy designed to eliminate the traditional, gender-based division of labor. Examined whether fathers' taking parental leave equalized women's and men's involvement in the labor market and in child care once the leave was over by analyzing 319 sets of Swedish parents. (Author/ABL)

The California Faculty Association (CFA) seeks to secure and maintain sound retirement options that encourage phased faculty retirement. Their experience in negotiating and administering retirement options are discussed. Defined benefit plan and defined contribution plan are described. CFA agreements are appended. (MLW)

Pay incentives effectively motivate teachers in a suburban school district in New York State to reduce their rates of absence, particularly the number of sick days used. This suggests clearer perspectives on teacher absence. (BJV)

Data from employers of 324 pregnant women show that firm size and unionization are powerful determinants of formal benefits. However, informal family concessions, dependent on supervisor cooperation, are less likely to occur. Self-employment was not especially conducive to schedule flexibility, leave, or child care access. (SK)

With health insurance costs soaring for both current employees and retirees, governing boards of institutions of higher education must contain costs. Possible strategies include shifting some expenses from employer to employee, establishing flexible-benefit or cafeteria plans, using managed care to reduce unnecessary medical procedures,…

"Managed competition," a purchasing strategy to obtain maximum value, is recommended as a method for limiting costs in college and university employees' health benefits plans. Models used at Stanford University (California) and the University of California are offered as illustrations, and considerations in implementing managed…

Five comparative data traps repeatedly come up during school negotiation sessions: (1) average salary comparisons; (2) vague salary comparisons; (3) low master's guide; (4) considering salary only; and (5) comparing benefits. Provides examples and outlines a defense against these data traps. (MLF)

Increasingly, college administrators are trying to pass fringe benefits costs off onto employees to relieve financial pressures. The result is an accelerated but often unacknowledged drain on faculty incomes. Faculty in a contributory health insurance plan should seek to cap faculty contributions at a fixed dollar amount. (MSE)

Initially designed in response to substance abuse, employee assistance programs are now recognizing needs of family caregivers of the elderly by providing such services as referral, education, information, flexible schedules/leaves, counseling, health promotion, financial assistance, and direct services--respite care and onsite adult day care. (SK)

Molly Corbett Broad, president of the University of North Carolina system and an economist by training, was brought in by the state treasurer to help convince the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF) to open a branch in North Carolina. The experience illustrates the kind of leadership Broad has…