Economic pressures, work force diversity, and advances in technology are changing the nature of work and organizational policy and management. A predicted decline in the annual growth in gross national product is expected to trigger a slowdown in the labor force, especially in occupations that employ workers with only a high school education. Postsecondary education will be increasingly important for gainful employment and good wages for women, Blacks, and Hispanics who will make up increasing percentages of the work force. As the nature of work becomes more complex, alternative approaches to education and training in the workplace will be necessary to promote continuous learning and development for the younger segment of the work force. Four organizational trends are surfacing in response to the changing composition and nature of the work force. First, women are entering employment in nontraditional jobs with higher wages, greater benefits, and greater job security. Second, companies are moving toward flexible staffing options that include the use of temporary employees, independent contractors, outsourcing, and employee leasing. Third, alternative scheduling options such as part-time and flextime are well established; work-at-home options and job sharing are gaining acceptance. Fourth, more efficient training practices emphasize training close to the job site and skills relevant to the changing workplace. (Annotations of 15 print resources are provided.) (YLB)