Presents a fascinating look at the practice of medicine aboard commercial and military ships in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Contemporary medical practice believed all diseases were created by one of four "humors." In spite of this, and the constant presence of disease, most seamen led relatively healthy lives. (MJP)

Considers knowledge about location and contexts of men's and women's superintendencies, along with the authors' own recent research on former women superintendents. Women are likely to occupy superintendencies in the smallest, least cosmopolitan districts with the fewest central-office administrators, declining enrollments, more reported job…

At Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, sexual harassment policy includes comprehensive education for administrators, faculty, and other staff, and communication of policy through school publications. As a result, more communication has occurred, harassment behaviors are less severe, complaints are handled earlier and at a lower…

Intensive open-ended interviews examined professional experiences of seven male and seven female African American teachers who were recruited into suburban schools to satisfy school desegregation mandates. Findings focus on respondents' heightened awareness of group boundaries in the work environment, racial differences in teachers' instructional…

Argues that a family-centered approach is as important and applicable to early care and education programs as it is to family-friendly work environments. Encourages child care settings to incorporate ideas and participation by families, providers, public sector, and private sector in order to provide high-quality services. (SD)

Discusses issues in the use of adjunct faculty in law schools, including lack of participation in intellectual dialog of the institution or in discussion of pedagogical concerns, appropriate use of adjuncts' skills, pay equity, and hiring and evaluation practices. Offers specific suggestions for departments and institutions in communicating with…

A study of 81 experienced teachers reports that to understand and survive classroom life, a knowledge of interpersonal politics was essential. The qualitative data set disclosed seven major categories of ineffective principal influences on teacher thinking and behavior: lack of participatory decision making, lack of support, favoritism,…

Empirical research pertinent to understanding the extent and effects of teacher collective bargaining in public schools in the United States is reviewed. Compensation bargaining over teacher salaries, bargaining over working conditions (grievance procedures, time, minimum fairness), and educational policy bargaining (curriculum, student placement,…

A superintendent who was nearly appointed New York City Schools chancellor explains the physical and mental stamina his job requires. Most school executives don't recognize job stresses leading to physical disorders, adverse effects on family life, and alcoholism. Since superintendents' demise usually centers on political/interpersonal conflicts,…

Discusses the feminist perspective of librarianship, including following key issues: salaries, pay equity, and occupational segregation; faculty status, professional education, and recruitment; access to information; technology; and sociology of the workplace. A number of myths relating to this topic are addressed, and a bibliography of 18 recent…

A survey of 208 full-time faculty in Nigerian higher education institutions investigated 7 factors (work, pay, promotion, supervision, coworkers, job in general, commitment) perceived as influential in faculty turnover. Results suggest a generalized dissatisfaction with conditions of service, particularly pay and promotion. Demographic variables…

Discusses trends in workplace literacy and describes environmental literacy, indicating that it includes such areas as reading, writing, mathematics, learning ability, problem solving, self-esteem, teamwork, and organizational effectiveness. Provides a methodology for conducting environmental literacy audits, selecting proper delivery methods,…

A retired library administrator discusses contemporary reference service based on his experience as a volunteer at the reference desk of an academic library. Narrative includes education; experience; work setting; training; impressions of users; knowledge acquired from fellow reference librarians; and print and electronic resources. (AEF)

Documents the development of one of the most comprehensive efforts in occupational language training in the English-speaking world, Britain's Industrial Language Training (ILT) Service. The presentation describes widespread engagement by the authors and ILT staff concerned with cross-cultural differences as they affect job-related communication…

Presents causes and symptoms of "technostress," caused by rapidly changing technology in the workplace, as well as solutions for dealing with the problem. Discusses individual and organizational strategies and the importance of communication, training, and staffing; demonstrates the need for properly allocating resources, providing…