As the world population ages, the number of active workers to support nonworking elders is decreasing. Early retirement and working conditions that limit older worker participation have contributed to the problem. (SK)

Discusses the basic skills training program instituted for the nonexempt work force at First Chicago Corporation, the 10th-largest bank holding company in the United States. Presents the rationale for the program and describes the successful training efforts in place at the bank. (JOW)

Workers' opinions regarding adult education conducted in the workplace demonstrated insight about themselves as learners and an understanding of high quality adult education programs. As a whole, the 80 participants preferred active, hands-on learning and preferred someone to demonstrate the task and then to try it themselves. (JOW)

Staff of the Adult Learning Resource Center in Des Plaines, Illinois, expanded their traditional program of adult education support services to include workplace training and support. A Workforce Education Provider Discussion Group was established. (Author/JOW)

Suggests that business communication teachers examine their course content to determine whether it contains assumptions and views limited to a particular culture. Offers appropriate guidelines and activities that are easy to implement in the business communication schedule. (JOW)

Today's participatory work cultures are moving power down through organizations. Many of them empower self-directed work teams (SDTs) with the responsibility for managing themselves and their work. Key issues in building successful SDTs include selecting team players, training for success, and rewarding team performance. (JOW)

Interviews with 1,115 male and 271 female professionals revealed significant gender differences in objective characteristics (job title, salary grade, and numbers supervised) and few differences in subjective characteristics (rewards, peer cohesion, staff support, role conflict/ambiguity, workload). (SK)

Responses from 343 of 496 business/engineering graduates revealed different patterns of acquisition of information about their new job setting. The 105 who had mentors relied on observation and their mentors, the others on observation and co-workers. Mentored workers learned more about organizational issues and practices. (SK)

Discusses Temporary Help Industry segment of the contingent work force. Discusses benefits and drawbacks to both the employer and "employee." Suggests profiles of people who can benefit from this alternative employment experience. Concludes that, with strong understanding of qualities and skills that Temporary Help Services employers need in…

Examined the role of social support in moderating the effects of job stressors and in contributing to the job satisfaction of 85 randomly selected female clerical workers. Perceived social support from co-workers seemed to be associated with job satisfaction. Found that spouses or partners were effective buffers of adverse work conditions as well.…

Looks at some of the ambiguities in the Americans with Disabilities Act and suggests how to avoid them. Lists specific practices to avoid such as asking applicants about disabilities, failing to accommodate the disabled, and requiring preemployment physical exams. (JOW)

International careers specialist offers some strategies for helping students translate their dreams into goals and transform their goals into actualities. Presents advising strategies for international employment and describes variety of programs and services for students who seek international careers. Sidebar notes current issues affecting…

Results of a questionnaire sent to human resource personnel (n=76) suggest that much of the interpersonal communication that occurs in business will be in the form of informal small group settings and that business educators should emphasize the communication processes that occur in those settings and provide a variety of experiential exercises…

Discusses the need for students to learn to recognize and cope with difficult co-workers. Describes a few types of personalities that exhibit difficult or disturbed behavior and offers suggestions for coping with these personalities. (JOW)

Examined multifactorial model of caregiving strain and its effects in 341 employed caregivers. Found that work disruptions associated with caregiving significantly affected caregiver strain and perceived likelihood of job termination. Work interference was in turn affected by care recipient's level of impairment and perceived adequacy of support…