Suggests that sexual harassment would be less of a problem if men and women paid more attention to commonplace rules of workplace etiquette. Offers examples of etiquette rules that suggest how to behave reasonably while respecting the rights of both men and women. (Author/JOW)

Data from 1980 and 1986 on union members and nonmembers in three workplaces where membership was not required and working conditions were similar found that union membership did not decrease job satisfaction or increase intention to quit. Previous studies with the opposite results compared unionized and nonunionized work environments. (SK)

Compared personal well-being of social workers in full-time private practice with that of social workers in full-time agency practice. On all measures of personal well-being, workers in private practice fared significantly better than colleagues in agency settings. Findings suggest that personal well-being may be one of the factors leading social…

Describes careers in the transportation industry, especially trucking. Looks at job requirements, outlook for employment, salaries, and working conditions. Includes Web sites of trucking-related organizations. (JOW)

Discusses the differences between corporate universities and training departments and suggests that marketing is a big part of it. Defines knowledge management as the effort to capture an organization's collective experience and wisdom and to make it useful to everyone. (JOW)

Describes telecommuting, which occurs whenever an employee is paid for work done at an alternate worksite and total commuting time is thereby reduced. Discusses the pros and cons and examines the characteristics that make jobs and people suitable for telecommuting. Includes a self-assessment to determine whether telecommuting is a good option.…

An ethnographic study of customer service call centers found that both desired and unintended outcomes are influenced by personal coping and organizational sustaining mechanisms. When organizations use behavioral control, a climate of resistance ensues. An alternative is to view call centers as learning sites. (SK)

Gathered data from 550 principals, 42% of the principals in Alabama, about demographics, job preparation, perceptions of the job, and estimated competence levels for success as a principal. Responses indicate that the job of principal has become very demanding and complex. Findings also show that the majority of surveyed principals plan on…

Suggests that custom training is not for everyone and that off-the-shelf programs can be the best way to achieve many business goals. Looks at a variety of programs and offers a rationale for using both off-the-shelf and customized programs depending on the circumstances. (JOW)

Chronicles the business rationale, the cross-functional commitment, and the process of designing and launching a well-integrated career development program at Monsanto. (JOW)

A decision made under risky conditions can be sounder than one made when the decision maker is circumspect and prudent. It is important to understand one's risk-taking patterns, one's perceptions rooted in personal and professional history, and the degree to which cultural injunctions encourage or deter prudent risk taking. (Author/JOW)

A systematic mentoring approach combines old and new concepts from organizational learning, including intentional learning, failure and success, and storytelling. Mentoring should be a process of mature development and a joint venture, with a learning contract that aligns the mentor, proteges, and the proteges' manager. (JOW)

Guided learning (questioning, diagrams/analogies, modeling, coaching) was studied through critical incident interviews in five workplaces. Participation in everyday work activities was the most effective contributor to workplace learning. Organizational readiness and the efficacy of guided learning in resolving novel tasks were also important. (SK)

Discusses performance-centered portals that focus on supporting the goals and objectives of a company within an integrated work environment. Topics include performance-centered design attributes; work context; goal establishment; work processes; designing portals in stages; and increased performance and productivity. (Author/LRW)

Data from 559 undergraduates provided modest evidence that Holland's taxonomy of work environments moderated the relationship between personality and performance. The traits of agreeableness and conscientiousness were better predictors of performance in certain environments. The important relationship between personality and performance may be…