When hiring starts again after a recession, workers often need a new skill mix. If so, it's the trainer's job to make sure employees--both current and those being hired--have those skills. Now that it's time to consider hiring again, some new complications emerge. After layoffs, remaining workers likely took on more tasks and learned new skills.…

"You're hired!" Those two words are easy to say, but it's not always easy to find the right employee. Success hinges on hiring interviews--and they require quite a bit of training to get right. Much of the work in identifying the best people for open positions falls to line-of-business managers. In this article, Verizon Wireless, Umpqua Bank,…

Looks at the advantages--increased productivity and compliance with federal clean air regulations--and disadvantages--cost of setting up telecommunications and distractions at home--of telecommuting and the management issues involved. Offers suggestions for setting up a telecommuting program. (JOW)

Identifies the top 50 companies in terms of the amount spent on training and development, the number of hours of training per employee, and percentage of payroll spent on training. Profiles the top five plus four additional companies selected by the magazine's editors. (SK)

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)

Many top-level managers are retiring early. Programs to prepare their replacements have been scaled back. Many companies are offering phased retirement plans, redesigning jobs, and paying for spouses to go along on business trips to keep their managers a little longer. (JOW)

Discusses the complexity of the problem of unwelcome workplace sex. Gives a short history of the issue, the legal problems, advice for handling harassment, and the true cost of an office romance. Discusses training strategies which would be helpful in overcoming the problem. (JOW)

Discusses the Americans with Disabilities Act, which bans discrimination against the disabled by private-sector employers. Describes the hiring practices and experiences of several companies that have employed disabled people. (JOW)

Twelve key factors influence an organization's ability to learn and change: strategy/vision, executive practices, managerial practices, climate, organizational structure, information flow, individual/team practices, work processes, performance goals/feedback, training/education, individual/team development, and rewards/recognition. (SK)

Offers comprehensive data on employer-based training in the United States and looks at training issues ranging from remedial training to drug testing and AIDS education to the transition to team-based work. Discusses money invested in training and who is getting what kind of training. (JOW)

Since there are not enough Generation Xers to replace retiring Baby Boomers and job hopping is rampant, there is concern about the inevitable labor shortage. Recruitment and retention strategies that motivate workers regardless of age as well as an array of flexible benefits are needed. (JOW)

Gives highlights of statutes and court and administrative decisions which tell company chief executives what their organizations can and cannot do in the entire gamut between employee recruitment and retirement. Topics cover equal job rights, wages and hours, unions, veterans' rights, retirement, wage garnishment, and employee safety. (WL)

Presents information gathered from organizations with 50 or more employees concerning how the training budget will be spent in 1987 and compares that with information from previous years. Topics include (1) occupations receiving training, (2) use of computers, (3) sources of training, and (4) instructional methods. (CH)

When using assessment instruments for personnel purposes, identify the purposes of assessment, specify criteria for excellent performance, determine behavior standards, and select appropriate methodology. Correlation analysis is a useful technique for establishing the validity of an instrument. (SK)

Identifies the top 100 companies in terms of the amount spent on training and development, the number of hours of training per employee, percentage of payroll spent on training, and tuition allotment per employee. Describes best practices in succession planning and leadership development, mentoring, and job shadowing and provides a detailed…