NCJ Number
58842
Journal
CONFERENCE BOARD RECORD Volume: 12 Dated: (AUGUST 1975) Pages: 50-55
Date Published
1975
Length
6 pages
Annotation
MANPOWER ISSUES CONSIDERED BY PARTICIPANTS IN A MAY 1975 MEETING OF BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES CONCERNED WITH HUMAN RESOURCE UTILIZATION ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
QUOTING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, BUSINESS EXECUTIVES, AND OTHERS WHO SPOKE AT THE MEETING, THE DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON THE PROBLEM OF RECESSION-INDUCED CUTBACKS IN THE WORK FORCE, WHICH HIT MINORITIES, WOMEN, AND YOUTHS THE HARDEST AND THREATENS TO OBLITERATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION AND OTHER FEDERAL COMPLIANCE AGENCIES. WHEN A UNIONIZED COMPANY MUST LAYOFF EMPLOYEES, THE FIRST TO GO ARE THOSE WITH THE LEAST SENIORITY, USUALLY MINORITIES, WOMEN, AND YOUTHS. ONE COMPANY, RELUCTANT TO LAYOFF A LARGE PORTION OF ITS MINORITY WORKERS AND YET UNABLE TO SUSTAIN A FULL WORK FORCE, TURNED TO THE COURTS FOR ADJUDICATION OF THE MATTER. THE COURTS ADVISED THE COMPANY TO DIVIDE ITS EMPLOYEES INTO TWO GROUPS, BLACK AND WHITE, AND TO LAYOFF EQUAL NUMBERS FROM BOTH GROUPS ACCORDING TO SENIORITY WITHIN EACH. IN ADDITION TO THE DILEMMA BETWEEN SENIORITY AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY, THE DISCUSSION TOUCHES ON THE NEED TO RETHINK THE FUNCTION OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (AND PERHAPS TO EXPAND COVERAGE TO INCLUDE EXOFFENDERS, AS WELL AS NEW ENTRANTS TO THE WORK FORCE); FEDERAL MANPOWER POLICY AND THE POSSIBILITIES OF REVAMPING THE LITTLE-USED PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICE; THE PROBLEMS FACED BY EXECUTIVES WHO LOSE THEIR JOBS AND PLACEMENT RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO EXECUTIVES; THE FAILURE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO ENTER THE LABOR FORCE; AND THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES.