Musclar Sclerosis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Musclar Sclerosis - Research Paper Example According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of the United States of America, there are 250,000 people in the country who suffer from this disease. Furthermore, it points out that the total number of people with this condition may be the double of this figure owing to the fact that many people do not chose to consult their physicians and misdiagnose their own condition (Rosner et al 2008 p7). The disease is considered to have a greater predisposition towards females and the ratio of the affected females to affected males is 2:1. The disease does not present in the early ages of life and nor are there any presenting cases after the fifth decade of life. Individuals are mainly affected between these age groups (Robbins et al 2005 p 1382; Mitchell et al 2007 p 887). Multiple sclerosis is not a congenital disease and it is a condition which affects a person later in life and is acquired. It is considered to be caused by an autoimmune mechanism. But definitive causes for this dise ase have still not been identified. It has been highlighted that the condition may also be stimulated and caused by external environmental factors. The condition is not infective and hence does not spread from one individual to another. Studies in the United States and England have highlighted interesting aspects of the disease and it has been seen that this pathological condition mainly affects the upper classes and it is more common in countries with proper hygienic measures. It has been seen that in the developing nations where the hygiene is low, the disease is not prevalent and it is hypothesized that these populations tend to acquire an immune mechanism against this disease. Furthermore, it has also been presented that the pathology is more prevalent in areas with lower temperatures (Robbins et al 2005 p 1382; Rosner et al 2008 p 8; Ganong 2005 p51). The disease has been suggested to be an autoimmune response of the body against the myelin sheath. This reaction of the body is considered to have a genetic link as well. This has been highlighted due to the fact that there is 15 times increased vulnerability of developing the condition if â€Å"first degree relatives† suffer from the disease. If one twin suffers from the disease, the other twin also has a high susceptibility of developing the condition (Robbins et al 2005). Multiple sclerosis follows a clinical course where attacks of the symptoms appear between intervals of weeks or months or years. These symptoms may even subside for extended periods of time and the patient retains normal functioning but they have a tendency to recur as well. With increasing time, the symptoms tend to subside but there may be long lasting damage to neurological function (Robbins et al 2005 p 1382). The disease presents with many symptoms which include optic neuritis and retrobulbar neuritis. The patient may complain of visual disturbances. The involvement of the brainstem tends to result in ataxia, nystagmus and in ternuclear opthalmoplegia. The spinal cord is also involved and the demyelination of the nerve fibers in the spinal cord results in problems of the motor and sensory conduction in the arms and the legs. The functioning of the urinary bladder is also affected and it loses its normal working. The patient may also present with an injury of the spinal cord which would not be painful. The patient may

Should Plastic Bags be Banned?

Should Plastic Bags be Banned? Plastic shopping bags are very cheap, useful and convenient:  Should they be banned? Introduction Universally, individuals and groups continue to advocate for the banning of plastic shopping bags, proposing that they be replaced with reusable biodegradable bags. Due to their synthetic nature, plastics are considered pollutants by critics. However, they are also very cheap, useful and convenient and a complete ban will have a significant negative economic impact for retailers, states and consumers. Both critics and advocates for the ban of plastic shopping bags have been outspoken, with each side presenting objective arguments to support their cause. By analysing the advantages and disadvantages of plastic shopping bags, the report attempts to examine the prospective economic, environmental and even social impacts that a ban on plastic could have in society. A realistic assessment based on objective studies will be critical in presenting an accurate evaluation of the plastic ban and will be helpful to all stakeholders involved. Background Ever since the emergence of plastics in the 1940s, they have grown to become extremely popular for consumers and industrial entities. Even in the 21st Century, the volume of plastic being manufactured annually continues to rise with the total production volume in the first decade of the century equalling the entire 20th Century’s production. An estimated 260 million tons of plastics are currently being produced annually for different purposes worldwide (Clapp and Swanston, 2009). Plastic shopping bags, defined as recyclable high-density polyethylene bags, are designed to be used only once. The increase in retail shopping and the emergence of retail venues in the 1970s led to the exponential increase in the popularity of plastic bags. Research by Clapp and Swanston (2009) indicate that plastic bags are the most popular grocery bag of choice for consumers worldwide. Estimates indicate that between 600 billion and 1.5 trillion plastic bags are used yearly around the world (Luis and Spinola, 2010). Plastics shopping bags are manufactured when fossil fuels are converted into polymers. Plastics are considered exceptionally durable and strong, an aspect that is counterproductive since it accounts for its negative properties. It is estimated that it takes between 400 and 1,000 years for a thin plastic to be broken down, hence they are considered a threat to the environment (Thompson, Moore, ComSaal, and Swan, 2009). Existing literature indicates that most citizens favour recycling rather than a complete ban of plastics. Surveys indicate that the majority of shoppers reuse plastic bags at least once (Ellis, Kantner, Saab and Watson, 2005). Current Situation The calls for a complete ban arise from the primary concerns associated with plastic shopping bags. The first concern is that plastics create a waste stream that is extremely difficult to eliminate or manage. Research carried out by the California Integrated Waste Management Board revealed that plastics of all kinds comprise an estimated 10% of the state’s disposable waste stream. A further estimated 0.3% and 0.13% of the total waste stream were plastic bags and plastic shopping bags respectively (Delaney Madigan, 2014). Plastic bags are also known to litter with different studies revealing that, of all the total litter collected in the world, between 1 and 5 percent are from plastic bags. In the US alone, consumers use a whopping 100 billion plastic bags annually, with a large proportion of this eventually becoming litter (Delaney Madigan, 2014). Another critical cause for apprehension is that plastic bags take a very long time to disintegrate. Research show that plastic bags can last for as long as 1,000 years, with the vast majority of this life cycle being within the end of life phase either as litter or in a landfill (Freinkel, 2011). The extensive lifespan results from its immunity to biodegradation, hence they can only photo degrade over very long time periods releasing toxic additives in the process which also pollute the ecosystem. A plastic bag’s lifecycle has also been noted for being greenhouse gas intensive since fossil fuels are the primary compounds used during their production. There have also been concerns about the effect of plastic bags on marine pollution. An assessment carried out by the United Sates Environmental Program (UNEP) revealed that an estimated 80% of all marine debris come from a land source of which 60%-80% are plastics (Delaney Madigan, 2014). Plastic marine debris exists in almost al l the regions of the world, hence it has created global pollution problems. Plastic directly affects more than 660 species of animals including fish, birds, turtles and a group of marine mammals (Bean, 2013). When the animals confuse the bags for food, their digestive tracks become blocked, a development which may eventually cause death. According to San Francisco marine officials, a study in which 370 autopsies were carried out found one in every three dead leatherback turtles to have some form of plastics in their stomachs (Bean, 2013). Call for Bans The documented undesirable effects of the plastic bags have led a number of individuals and groups to lobby for a worldwide ban on them. Studies show that even though the majority believed that consumer education would improve the situation, they have not achieved a significant reduction in single use bag consumption. According to Ellis, Kantner, Saab and Watson (2005), education campaigns have only led to a 5% decrease in voluntary plastic bag usage. As a result, certain nations have created mandatory ordinances to limit the use of plastic bags. In the United States for example, 17 states have ordinances that place bans and limitations on the use and distribution of plastic bags. Essentially, bans can be designed in various means although it will depend on how it reduces plastic bag use, limiting the overall environmental damage, the overall economic impact on consumers, manufacturers and retailers and the legislation’s ability to reduce plastic bag use (The Economist, 2007). A number of variables that may be considered when imposing a ban include the types of bags to be banned, whether or not to include a fee, promoting the use of alternative paper, attaching an amount to the specific type of bags, or specifying the type of bags to be used. Other variables should include the types and sizes of retail venues that the ban can affect, ordinance exemption and incentives that will enforce the ordinance such as fees or fines that accompany non-compliance (Clapp and Swanston, 2009). Potential Impacts of Plastic Bag Ban Economists and environmentalists have identified a number of potential economic impacts on the ban of plastics. A ban has the capacity of reducing the volume of plastic bags used in retail outlets. However, this will vary and can only be determined by customer feedback, retail venue feedback, analyses of baggage records, analysis of the disposition of waste stream and observational studies. A ban of plastic bags may be successful especially if retailers are subjected to charge customers for plastic bags as a measure for overall reduction. Using the case of Ireland which has achieved a 90% reduction in the use of plastic paper bags, it was evident that the initiation of a national fee served that purpose well (Sugii, 2008). A considerable environmental impact will also result from the ban of plastic paper bags if customers are subjected to pay for the use of the bags. The imposition of a complete ban or a fee for the usage will significantly reduce the environmental impact of plastic paper bag use. A complete ban on plastic paper bag may, however, be difficult to impose although it is estimated that this would result in between a 93% and 96% reduction in the reported environmental impacts. The goal should, therefore, be a step-by-step transition from the use of plastic bags to reusable bags so as to limit the eventual economic impact of plastics (Hasson, Leiman, and Visser, 2007). Economic Impact on Retailers A complete ban of plastic shopping bags or even a transition to other reusable bag types will have multiple economic effects. The effects will not only be on plastic manufacturers, but consumers, retailers and even entire cities and states will be affected. Retailers will be some of the worst affected entities with a ban on plastic shopping bags since in nearly all countries of the world, they offer them to customers at no charge. Although retailers purchase the bags at minimal costs, they are cost effective and can be charged on the retailer’s expense account. Retailers will still need to package goods for their customers in some way and the cost associated with alternative bags will be significantly greater for retailers. Retailers may also opt to sell the alternative paper bags to customers, a development which may be sustainable in the long run. Although in the short run retailers may suffer a loss due to the increase in the usage of paper bags, the loss can be mitigated if consumers start paying for their own reusable bags. Retailers may lose business if customers take their business elsewhere, especially when the ban is selective (Ellis, Kantner, Saab and Watsonm 2005). It is further documented that research from areas in which plastic bags were banned demonstrated a considerable decrease in sales. This is, however, disputable since the methodology used and the sample size of the study was relatively minimal and restricted within the boundaries of the Los Angeles County. Economic Impact to Consumers and Plastic Manufacturers A ban on plastic shopping bags would have a significant impact on consumers, since at present the bags are given free to consumers. However, a study by the United Nations Environmental Program revealed that plastic shopping bags are not actually free, but cost every household between $10 and $15 annually (Hasson, Leiman, and Visser, 2007). In order to estimate the potential economic impact that a ban on plastics could have on consumers, it is imperative to consider the price for the alternative reusable and paper bags. Although reusable bags are relatively costly, customers may actually save costs eventually since reusable bags are more durable and are designed to last for many years. Customers can even replace reusable stock a number of times further saving cost instead of paying recurring fees for paper bags (Hasson, Leiman, and Visser, 2007). Bans on plastic paper bags will also have a significant impact on plastic manufacturers since a significant proportion of their business is based on the domestic segment. A number of plastic manufacturers have aggressively opposed any proposed bans or measures to restrict the use of plastic bags. Although most of the manufacturers produce a wide variety of products, it is evident that any bans on plastic shopping bags will significantly hinder the companies’ revenue streams. Clapp and Swanston (2009) however argue that plastic bag manufacturing companies can mitigate the loss in business by switching to other product lines, such as the manufacture of reusable bags. Ellis, Kantner, Saab and Watsonm (2005) argue that it is not the shopping bag plastic manufactures that will lose, but the actual loss will be incurred by the larger plastic producers. Analysis and Conclusion Multiple arguments to support an opposition of the ban of plastics have been presented by opponents. According to Freinkel (2011), there is no need to ban plastics since the proportion of litter resulting from plastic shopping bag is too small to justify a total ban. He further argues that the ecological litter impact of plastic shopping bags, when quantified, is quite insignificant. A ban of the use of plastic paper bags could also cause significant job loses within the plastics manufacturing industry. Nonetheless, it has been argued that the job loses can be compensated when a number of businesses emerge to fill the need for reusable bags. Based on the analysis, the best option is to create measures with the objective of reducing the use of plastic shopping bags rather than implementing a complete ban. Even though there exists substantial literature documenting the environmental impact of banning plastic shopping bag, assessing the economic impact remains challenging. It is evident that a complete ban of the use of plastic shopping bags would affect a number of players within the plastic industry. Both retailers and consumers may be negatively affected in the short term as a result of an increase in baggage costs, but it is projected to decrease whenever a transition to reusable bags is effected. The plastic industry will, however, suffer even though plastic manufacturers can begin producing reusable bags. Bibliography AECOM Technical Services. (2010). Economic Impact Analysis: Proposed Ban on Plastic Carryout Bags in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles: AECOM. Bean,L. (2013). Silent Killers: TheDanger of Plastic Bags to Marine Life.  EcoWatch. Clapp, J. and Swanston, L. (2009). â€Å"Doing Away with Plastic Shopping Bags:  International Patterns of Norm Emergence and Policy†, Environmental Politics, 18:3, 315-332 Delaney, T., Madigan, T. (2014). Beyond sustainability: A thriving environment.  McFarland Company, Inc. Ellis, S., Kantner, S., Saab, A. and Watson, M. (2005). Plastic grocery bags: The Ecological  Footprint. Michigan Technological University. Freinkel, S. (2011). Plastic: A toxic love story. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Hasson, R., Leiman, A. and Visser, M. (2007). The Economics of Plastic Bag Legislation In  South Africa. South African Journal of Economics, 75(1): 66-83. Luis, I. P. and Spinola, H. (2010). The influence of a voluntary fee in the consumption of  Plastic bags on supermarkets from Madeira Island (Portugal). Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 53(7): 1-15. Sugii, T. (2008). Plastic Bag Reduction: Policies to Reduce Environmental Impact. Tufts  University The Economist. (2007). The War on Shopping Bags: Plastics of Evil. The Economist, March  29th, 2007. Thompson, R.C., Moore, C. J., ComSaal, F.S., and Swan, S. H. (2009). Plastics,theenvironment and human health†, Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society, Biological Sciences, 364 (1526).

The Quiet American Essay -- essays research papers

Fowler constructs Pyle as a naà ¯ve young man who is an innocent victim of dogmatic and simplistic ideologies. Fowler sees American culture and Democracy as a corrupting influence on an innocent Pyle. This is exhibited th relational processes, where Pyle, as the carrier, is given attributes such as â€Å"innocent†, â€Å"young and ignorant and silly†. This innocence is highlight by contrasting it with the attribute of â€Å"the whole pack of them†, Fowlers serotypes of Americans. Pyle’s corruption is seen in the single instance of his operating as a goal, where â€Å"they† are processed as having â€Å"killed† him. This construction of Pyle as corrupted by his environment is further solidified in Pyle’s role in material processes. The conceptual goal, which Pyle is acting upon â€Å"the east†, is processed in service o...

Different characteristics of a good business

Bring out the difference between personal letters and business letters. Discuss the different characteristics of a good business letter. Importance of business letter Differences Characteristics 3 Writing effectively is a skill, which can be learnt and perfected. Explain the general principles of Effective writing. What are the various techniques to improve your writing skills? General principles of Effective writing Techniques to improve writing skills 4 What groundwork does one need to do to make an effective presentation?How do verbal, vocal and visual components of communication impact a presentation? Groundwork needed to make an effective presentation Verbal, vocal and visual components impact on presentation Explain the contents of a good resume. Distinguish between the different types of resumes. Contents of good resume Types of Resumes 6 With growing competition and volatile market conditions, Jobs are not secured as they ought to be previously. What are the factors looked in to by the prospective employers?Identify the techniques, which should be used by an interviewee to get a good Job. Factors Job interview techniques Define the term ‘Organizational Behavior†. Explain the importance of Organizational Behavior. Definition of Organizational Behavior Importance of Organizational Behavior 2 Explain the following: a) Span of Control b) Centralization and Decentralization 3 Describe the personality traits influencing Organizational behavior.Personality traits influencing Organizational Behavior 4 Define the term motivation. Explain Mascots need Hierarchy theory. Definition of motivation Mascots hierarchy theory 5 Explain the functions of communication. Mention some of the tips or techniques for effective communication. Functions of communication Tips or techniques for effective communication 6 Write short notes on the following: a) Organization Culture ) Conflict management a) Organizational Culture Monetary policy regulates the money supply in an economy.

A report on workforce education Essay

The purpose of this paper is to address ideas that I learned this semester relating to the topic of workforce education. Specifically, I will address the mission of workforce education, the role of work, foundational components of workforce development and some of the forces that affect the nature of work. The Mission of Workforce Education Workforce education is defined as a level of education provided by private business and industry, or government-sponsored, community-based organizations. It is used to increase opportunity in the labor market or solve human performance problems in the workplace. This definition suggests two missions of workforce education. One mission is to promote individual opportunity in the labor market, to teach individuals the required skills needed to reach career goals and to be competitive. The second mission is to solve workplace problems by improving the worker’s performance. This helps the economy by increasing productivity. Roles of Work One role of work is social identity. In the United States, a person is defined by â€Å"what they do,† their job, career, or occupation. In most instances, we Americans introduce ourselves by name and occupation. Another work role is that of class. Most Americans are in â€Å"middle-class. † The status of middle-class is defined by social, economic, and education status. These three characteristics all apply to different types of occupations: blue collar, laborer, white-collar, professional, scholar, doctor, lawyer, etc. These types of occupations correspond to different education levels and salary levels. Finally, the role of work gives an individual self-worth. Aside from economic reasons, many people who are beyond retirement age choose to continue to work. There are all types of reasons, from boredom to need of a routine, or to get out of the house; people continue to work, even if they don’t have the need to do so. Foundational Components of Workforce Development The are a number of foundational components of workforce development. They fall into political, socio-economic, or social categories. The following components are addressed below: 1) Supply and Demand; 2) Human Capital Investment; 3) Workforce Productivity; 4) Work Ethics; and 5) Family Influences. 1. Supply and Demand – When the demand for workers exceeds the supply, or if the supply of worker exceeds the demand, the labor pool is either reduced or increased. The ideal situation for the national economy and for individuals is when supply equals demand. In the technical fields, there is a demand that exceeds the supply of technicians. This has affected the development of the workforce. 2. Human Capital Investment – Labor is considered the most important component of national wealth. Therefore, the workforce must be of a high quality. To ensure a high quality workforce, it is vital that investments are towards the workforce. In theory, investment in human capital will lead to greater economic outputs. Individuals with advanced skills earn higher salaries. 3. Workforce Productivity – The output of goods and services that results from an hour of labor is workforce productivity. The skill-level of a worker correlates with the wage-level. An example would be that a high-skills worker would receive a high wage. Workforce education is a must to bring the workforce to the level of skill necessary to support high wages. 4. Work Ethics – An appropriate work ethic is a fundamental characteristic needed by employees. Many workforce educators overlook the Level I skills (on-time to work, basic courtesies to co-worker, etc. ) and do not address work ethic as a basic fundamental need. 5. Family Influences – the socioeconomic status of a family is related to the career development, socialization, and career choices of children. This is referred to as the status attainment model. The basic concept is that ones parent’s social status affects the level of schooling achieved which affects the occupational level achieved. Recently, the concepts of mental ability and socio/psychological processes have been added to this model. Forces Which Affect the Character of Work The are many forces that affect the character of work. The most constant attribute about these forces is that they are always a factor in affecting work. Five of them are described below: 1) Technology, Information, and Power; 2) Stress; 3) Free Trade; 4) The Global Economy; and 5) Downsizing and Reorganization. 1. Technology, Information, and Power – Advanced technology has changed the distribution of power and information in organizations.   

9 Part Time Jobs That Pay Very Well

9 Part Time Jobs That Pay Very Well Trying to save up or dig yourself out of debt? need a supplemental second job? Or just looking to ease back into (or out of) the workforce? Here are 9 part time jobs that can actually pay quite handsomely. If you’re going to take on a second job, you might as well make the most for your time and effort. 1. Rideshare DrivingYou can make $15 to $30 per hour and all you need is a driver’s license, a reliable vehicle, a smartphone, and the ability to pass a background check. It’s not as lucrative as it was at the very beginning of this new flexible job trend, but drivers can still make a pretty good chunk of change.2. BartendingDepending on the gig, bartenders can make anywhere from $10 to $75 per hour. you might need a training course if you don’t have experience, plus servesafe certification, which costs about $40, plus a uniform of some kind and a bar kit, but you can supplement your income working nights and weekends and, in some cases, make a killing.3. O ffice workAs long as you have the relevant experience, you can make $20-30 per hour working in an office. Companies are often desperate for extra help during a high-growth stage or for crucial projects, but sometimes don’t quite want to commit to adding any more full-time employees. These are your best bets. If you happen to have some sort of specialized skill they need, you could make even more.4. Special EventsThere are always events that need staff. The pay is roughly $12-15 per hour, and requirements are different from gig to gig, but it is always possible to make tips or work your way up to the supervisor level and make more like $20 an hour. This work is easy to find on sites like shiftgig.com.5.  BabysittingMuch more lucrative than it used to be! You can now make $13-18 per hour on the low side. You’ll need to pass a background check and/or drug test, and you’ll want to be certified in first aid and CPR, and you must speak fluent English (unless otherwi se specified), but it’s usually not that hard to find a gig that matches your schedule perfectly. There are always desperate parents and companies in need of child care help.6. Web DesignIf you have web design skills, then this is a no brainer. Work on your own time, from anywhere you like, and make anywhere from $20 to $150 an hour, depending on your business savvy and your talent. You’ll make the big bucks when you specialize in things like motion graphics or back end programming. If you hustle, there are big bucks to be made.7. Dog WalkingBe outside, hang out with dogs, make $15 to $75 per hour. in some cases, you might also need to be licensed or insured, but this is a great way to get exercise and make money at the same time. Especially if you love animals!8. TutoringTutors are really hitting it these days. If you have expertise in a particular subject, you can make anywhere from $15 to $200 per hour. Initially, it might make sense to work with a company just to k eep your work flow simple and steady, but once you’ve built up your business, you’ll be able to branch out on your own. sat tutoring is particularly lucrative.9. Business ConsultingIf you happen to be lucky enough to have an MBA from a top-tier school, and maybe also some special expertise, you can make $150 to $300 per hour. Try hourlynerd.com or other companies that pair consultants to businesses whose needs meet their specific strategic skills.

The impact of the decision on the social work profession The WritePass Journal

The impact of the decision on the social work profession Introduction The impact of the decision on the social work profession ). Although it was concluded that a serious error in professional judgment was a leading cause to the death of the infant, it was mentioned repeatedly that there was a staffing problem in the department at the time and as a result, an overburdened caseload. This is not a novel argument as it has been noted in a number of reports that under staffing and over burdening, coupled with a number of other issues, is a leading cause of failure to satisfy demand for social work cases (The Lord Laming, 2009; BASW, 2012; Munro, 2011). If one takes this further in light of policy objectives, surely these failures cannot be attributed then to the individual social welfare professional. Every Child Matters called for institutional accountability for failure to protect children which involves cross-organisational cooperation and communication. The failure therefore of social welfare professionals as a result of an overburdened caseload should be attributed to the organization that they represent, u nless there is clear evidence of professional negligence or an error in professional judgment. By failing to take account of organizational failure in these SCR one is declining to account for these resource constraints which may be described as the root cause of these failures. Until these causes are therefore addressed, the problems and failures will continue to surface and in turn, the policy objectives and sought outcomes identified by Every Child Matters will not be met. Since the decision of Baby P. it has been reported that there are thousands more children taken into care. The effect of the Baby P. decision has essentially had a chilling effect on the occupation of social workers, as now there is a much lower threshold for intervention in the lives of vulnerable children at risk of neglect and abuse (Butler, 2012). The effect that the case has had on public awareness has also raised a standard of care for children, and generally there has been a greater concern for the wellbeing of children (Flannigan, 2012). Despite this increased concern, a lower threshold for intervention and an increased awareness as a result of the Baby P. case, there has still been a 58% increase in the workload of social welfare professionals since the decision in that case, with reports of many professionals leaving the profession entirely due to the unrealistic workload (Ibid). It can be argued therefore that there has been a disproportionate effect on the profession whic h is severely impacting the efficiency of those professionals. On one hand, there has been a greater diligence with regards to child care because of the decision, clearly there has been a chilling effect on these social workers, however this has not been proportionately dealt with by the allocation of additional resources to handle the excess workload. This has been noted in the media, where the increased vigilance has been commended, however with a warning that there are further budget cuts in the near future making it unlikely that local councils will be able to meet the current demand on the system (Butler, 2012). This is particularly troubling as prior to the decision in Baby P. there were already concerns over the workload of social welfare professionals. The reality of working across organizational boundaries and cultures presents significant difficulty to all parties involved, not least of which is the heavy administrative burden that is placed on these individuals (The Lord Laming, 2009). Indeed, certain professionals have been cited as saying that they have little time to do home visits at all, because of this heavy administrative burden (BASW, 2012). The extent to which this affects the profession has even prompted BASW to call for local government intervention by assigning administrative staff to handle these administrative responsibilities in order to allow social welfare professionals to get on with their work that they were employed and trained to do. There is a continued argument that these professionals are not afforded the opportunity to do their work, because of the presence of alternative duties that carry sanction for a failure to comply with. Whilst these administrative duties are arguably necessary due to the intricat e nature of the work involved, burdening social workers with these responsibilities clearly is not having the intended effect. The lack of support and resources again has prompted third sector parties, such as BASW to call for simplification of role of social welfare professionals in order for them to get on with their jobs. The evolution of the social welfare profession into a bureaucratic monster is linked to the problem of administrative burden and under staffing. A paper trail of administrative documentation demonstrating compliance with the required procedures has become the primary means of accountability (Munro, 2011). Not only does this increase the administrative burden, or indeed constitute the large majority of that burden, it also blurs lines of accountability. In the same way that most industry has line managers and channels of accountability to ensure effective work performance, so too is this necessary in the social welfare profession in order to run effectively. Local Safeguarding Childrens Boards (DfES, 2010), the Director of Children’s Services and other key figures in local authority and partner organizations need to be identified for these professionals in order to account effectively. Without these clear lines of accountability, serious cases and review of circumstances will b e lost in this bureaucratic process between professionals (Munro, 2011). The need for reform in this area of the public sector is very apparent and the implementation of correct monitoring and review systems would be likely to avoid situations resulting in SCR. It is arguable that if there had been better communication and reporting structures in the case of Peter Conolly, the error in professional judgment attributed to the social workers would have been entirely avoided as the case would be reviewed by other professionals. A major concern in the attainment of policy objectives for the protection of children is the rising concern about the unqualified practice of social workers. Simply put, there is a growing consensus that the training provided coupled with the lack of support given and the intense bureaucracy of process, is wholly inadequate (BASW, 2012). A large percentage of social welfare professionals feel that the training provided did not adequately prepare them for the realities of working in the profession and further that unqualified professionals are being employed to attempt to fill staffing vacancies, however these professionals are not adequately trained, but hired as a cheaper alternative. Further highlighted was the idea that the dominance of prescribed administrative tasks is also inhibiting the further knowledge acquisition by staff (Munro, 2011). The attempt by the state to simplify the criteria and standards of judgment has had the effect of disallowing independence of these profess ionals in this industry and this in turn has inhibited performance.   It is therefore the recommendation of Munro (2011) that continued professional development is highly necessary, as well as a review of initial training. Conclusion It is clear that the government and third sector parties involved have a clear objective and mission statement for social welfare practices nationally. There is a very clear agenda to eradicate occurrences of abuse and non-accidental death such as those of Victoria Climbià © and Peter Conolly. The Lord Laming report (2009) highlights the successes of this area, however also the grave failures. The realization of these objectives and therefore full realization of children’s right is severely hampered by what can be summarized as budgetary or resource constraints. The intense overburdening, lack of staffing, assumption of excessive administrative duties and lack or inadequacy of training is all knock-on effects of severe resource restriction. The conclusion therefore is that the decision to dismiss social workers in a case such as Peter Conolly will more often than not be a case of lack of support for these social workers leading to errors with fatal consequences. It seems to b e an unfair burden on these professionals to hold them to account, when in reality it is an institutional failure that need be addressed. The impact of the Baby P. decision has increased the workload of these professionals whilst holding them to a higher standard of professional vigilance, without additional support in an already overburdened profession. This has had a positive effect on the care standards for children, however a significantly detrimental effect on the social workers themselves. The social workers therefore should not individually be held to account, but rather a professional failure of the institution. By ignoring the cause of these professional failures one is doing a great harm to the morale in the profession as highlighted by published statistics on the matter (BASW, 2012). Unfortunately, social welfare is evolving into a thankless task as there is great expectation on these professionals, however little support to encourage or motivate them. Until such time as these constraints are reviewed and the departments reformed, fatalities such as Peter Conolly will continue to be an occupational hazard. The evolution of policy prioritizing the rights of children is impressive to say the least, however without correct implementation of measures to realize these policy objectives, these goals may never be reached. The current burden on these professionals is unreasonable in the circumstances and ironically the quest to end abuse against children has led to a professional abuse in the social welfare profession generally. References Reports Butler, P. (2012) Thousands more children taken into care in wake of Baby Peter case The Guardian [online] (Last updated 25 May 2012 18.28) Available on: guardian.co.uk/society/2012/may/25/children-in-care-baby-peter [Accessed 19 July 2012] Christou Ward v London Borough of Haringey [2012] UKEAT 0298_11_2505 Flannigan, A. (2012) Baby Peter Connellys Anniversary: Five Years on Is the UK Safer for Children? The Huffington Post [online] (Last updated 2 February 2012 17:57) Available on: huffingtonpost.co.uk/andrew-flanagan/baby-peter-connelly-uk-safe-children_b_1727255.html [Accessed 19 July 2012] Haringey Local Safeguarding Childrens Board, 2009 (Serious Case Review ‘Child A’) (ref: March 2009) London: Department for Education The British Association of Social Workers, 2012 (The State of Social Work 2012) (Ref: 15/05/2012) London: sn The Department for Education, 2004 (Every Child Matters: Change for Children) (DfES/1081/2004) London: Department for Education The Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2010 (Working Together to Safeguard Children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children) (DCSF-00305-2010) London: Department for Education The Department for Education, 2011 (The Munro Review of Child Protection: Final Report, A child centred system) (ref: May 2011) London: Department of Education The House of Commons: The Lord Laming, 2009 (The Protection of Children in England: A Progress Report) (ref: 15 March 2009) London: The Stationary Office Legislation International Conventions The Adoption and Children Act 2002 The Children and Adoption Act 2006 The Childrens Act 1989 The Childrens Act 2004 The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 The European Convention of Human Rights 1950 The European Convention on the Exercise of Children Rights 1996 The Human Rights Act 1998 The United Nation Convention on the Rights of a Child

Signs of Teacher Bullying

Signs of Teacher Bullying The majority of teachers genuinely care about their students. Although they may have the occasional bad day, they are kind, fair, and supportive. However, almost everyone who has been a student in a public or private school classroom has experienced mean teachers. In some cases, the alleged mean behavior is merely a personality conflict between the teacher and student. In other cases, a teacher’s irritability may result from burnout, personal or work-related stress, or a mismatch between his teaching and the students learning style. However, there are cases where the mean behavior crosses the line, and the teacher becomes the classroom bully. What Is Teacher Bullying? In an anonymous survey whose results were published in 2006, psychologist Stuart Twemlow noted that 45% of the teachers surveyed admitted to having bullied a student. The survey defined teacher bullying as: â€Å"...a teacher who uses his/her power to punish, manipulate or disparage a student beyond what would be a reasonable disciplinary procedure.† Teachers may bully students for several reasons. One is a lack of training in proper discipline techniques. Failure to arm teachers with an arsenal of appropriate, effective disciplinary strategies may result in feelings of frustration and helplessness. These feelings can cause teachers to resort to intimidation tactics. Teachers who feel bullied in the classroom by students may be more likely to bully in retaliation. Finally, teachers who experienced childhood bullying may turn to those tactics in the classroom. Parents or school administrators usually address physical altercations between students and teachers. However, behaviors such as verbal, mental, or psychological abuse may be less likely to be reported by the victim or fellow students and teachers. Conduct that may cross the line and be considered bullying include: Belittling or intimidating a studentSingling out one student for punishment or ridiculeHumiliating or shaming students in front of classmatesYelling at a student or group of studentsUsing racial or religious slurs or other forms of belittling a student based on gender, race, religion, or sexual orientationSarcastic comments or jokes about a studentPublic criticism of a childs workConsistently assigning poor grades to one student on objective assignments or projects If your child complains about any of these behaviors, look for other signs of teacher bullying. Signs to Watch For Many children won’t report abuse to parents or other teachers due to embarrassment, fear of retaliation, or concern that no one will believe them. Minority or special needs children may be more likely to fall victim to teacher bullying. Surprisingly, high-performing students may be at increased risk of harassment by insecure teachers who feel intimidated. Because children may not report teacher bullying, it’s important to pay attention to clues that it may be happening. Look for these signs that your childs teacher is a bully: Unexplainable ailments. One telling clue is a child who used to enjoy school suddenly making excuses to stay home. He may complain of stomach aches, headaches, or other vague ailments to avoid going to school. Complaints about the teacher. Some children may complain about a teacher being mean. Often, this complaint is nothing more than a personality conflict or a teacher who is more strict or demanding than your child would like. However, ask questions and look for subtle clues that may indicate a more severe situation. Ask your child to explain how the teacher is mean or give specific examples. Inquire if other kids feel the same. Pay particular attention if the complaints about the teacher being mean include him or her yelling at, humiliating, or belittling  your child (or others). Changes in your child’s behavior. Look for changes in behavior. Victims of teacher bullying may have angry outbursts at home or temper tantrums before or after school. They may appear withdrawn, moody, or clingy. Negativity toward self or schoolwork. Pay attention to self-deprecating comments or  excessively critical  statements about the quality of their schoolwork. If your child is usually a good student and suddenly starts complaining that he can’t do the work or his best efforts aren’t good enough, this could be a tell-tale sign of classroom bullying. Take note if your child’s grades start dropping. What to Do If You Suspect a Teacher Is Bullying Your Child Parents may be somewhat reluctant to report bullying behaviors. They often fear making the situation worse for their child. However, if a teacher is bullying your child, it is vital that you take action. Support your child. First, talk to and support your child, but do so calmly. Angry, threatening, explosive behavior may frighten your child even though you’re not mad at her.  Let her know that you believe her.  Normalize the situation and assure your child that  you will take action to stop the bullying behavior.  Ã‚   Document all incidents. Keep detailed written records of all bullying incidents. List the time and date of the incident. Describe exactly what happened or what was said and who was involved. List the names of any other teachers, students, or parents who witnessed the encounter. Understand what legally constitutes bullying in your state. Check bullying laws by state  so that you understand what actions are considered bullying. Investigate how the school is expected to address such conflicts.  Many states bullying laws are focused on students bullying other students, rather than teachers bullying students, but the information you uncover may be useful in your situation. Meet with the teacher. Depending on the severity of the bullying, schedule a meeting with your child’s  teacher. Speak to him or her  calmly and respectfully. Give her the opportunity to explain  her perspective. There may be  reasons that she appears to be singling out your student and coming across as mean or angry. Perhaps there are  behavioral issues or personality conflicts that you, your child, and his teacher can discuss and resolve.   Ask around. Ask other parents if their children have similar complaints about the teacher. Ask other teachers if they know of any problems with your child and his teacher or have concerns about the teachers behavior in general. Follow the  chain of command. If you are still concerned about the actions of your child’s teacher after speaking with her  and other parents and teachers, follow the chain of command until the situation is addressed and satisfactorily resolved. First, talk to the principal. If the issue remains unresolved, contact the school superintendent or the school board. Consider your options. Sometimes, the best action is to request a transfer for your child to a different classroom. In extreme cases, if the school administration is not adequately addressing bullying situation, you may want to consider  transferring your child to a different public school, moving to private school, homeschooling  (even if homeschooling isn’t a long-term solution), or online schooling.

Child Protection in School Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Child Protection in School - Essay Example Safety is important to protect children from extreme pain, incapacitation, dismemberment or even death. In addition, breach of safety by supervisors, parents or (and) equipment makers can lead to legal suits for breach of safety standards. Each year, institutions of learning in Britain pay thousands of pounds to compensate injured children within school premises. For example, Gloucestershire council paid GBP 7,000 compensation to a student after a teacher accidentally injured a pupil during rugby tackle demonstration (NSPCC, 2011). Safety Safety is in everyone’s mind in the playground. As much as children require a lot of opportunities to engage in physical activities, it is important to ensure that they are safe from potential harm or injury. Dangers inherent during physical exercise include; burns, drowning, poisoning, falls, getting knocked over, cuts, breakages, dehydration, rape, beating and extreme is death. There are a number of worrying incidents where children die dur ing physical activities. Child’s serious injury during physical exercise is bad and death of a child during physical exercise is worst and unacceptable. When death in the field is reported, it sends cold shivers in people who listen and anger inhibits one’s heart. For example, according to Brighton and Hove Council, a child fell from the roof of air raid shelter when he climbed the fence to retrieve a ball. In Medway, a pupil was injured when goal post fell on him and at Cornwall; a student was injured by a ball kicked by a teacher. In addition, a child at Rotherham, South Yorkshire was hurt in the playground when another child splashed him with custard. Worst, Kyle Rees 16 year old boy at Portchester school, Bournemouth died when hit by a cricked ball on the head. Finally, a research conducted by NSPCC between 2007 and 2010 revealed that 75 percent of children were subjected to harmful treatment by coaches or their peers. Peers contribute significant portion injuries or harm experienced (NSPCC 2011). To ensure children‘s safety during physical education, teachers or guardians supervising then must be informed that children unlike adults may not be in a position to anticipate accidents or possible injuries. Therefore, it is the responsibilities and duty of adults to anticipate potential accidents and risk and prevent them from happening. According to Sportengland (n.d.), there is a safety framework that is useful in creating safe sporting environment, which prevent harm. The framework is a benchmark that is useful in making informed decisions, challenging harmful practices and promotes best safety practices. To prevent likelihood of accidents occurring, it is important to note below factors; Playgrounds need to be surrounded by handrails, fences, rubber surfaces and crash barriers to make children safe by preventing them from falling. Children need to be educated in safety measure to reduce injury risks. They also need to cover-up and gear- up during physical exercises. For example, children playing must wear helmets when riding bicycles to protect their heads from serious injury in case they fall and wear hats when playing in the sun to prevent sunburns. The people in charge with physical exercises should ensure that all sporting equipment and gears are in perfect working conditions and fitting properly. In addition, children need to shape up by preparing adequately before main physical activities to prepare their bodies and prevent them

LEGAL ASPECTS OF NURSING Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

LEGAL ASPECTS OF NURSING - Case Study Example 2. The nurses are negligent for delaying their medication documentation for such a long period of time as the next day. The fact that a medication is not documented endangers the patient of receiving too little or too much of the medications on subsequent shifts when other nurse have no way of knowing that there are missing entries in the records. 3. When the root of the problem or cause of the situation is evaluated the ethical principles which must be considered are patient safety first and foremost. Standards of practice should also be evaluated and the facility policy on medication should be evaluated to ensure that it is clear in all areas of medication administration. 4. If the case was heard in court the charges would likely be malpractice and negligence. Negligence and or malpractice can be defined as ‘the doing of something a reasonably prudent person would not do,’ it must be shown that the standard of care what deviated and that there were damages or injuries because of the negligence or malpractice (Understanding Negligence, 2012). The possibility of something dangerous or injurious to a patient due to medication errors such as those described is very strong and often nurses are taken to court for the same errors which end up causing injury to a plaintiff. Because there were no injuries reported or complaints from patients described it is less likely that the case would require court charges against the nurse. 1. The primary defendant in this case would be the original nurse suspected; however after the testimony and other nurse’s acknowledging their own wrongdoing and medication errors they should be suspended and held liable as well. The plaintiff could be the facility if they chose to bring charges against the nurse which is unlikely as this was cause negativity towards the facility. Most likely if charges were brought against the nurse they would stem from a patient incident. 2. The court would probably rule in

Marketing Design And Operations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marketing Design And Operations - Essay Example A right mix of marketing strategies is important to be implied for attaining successful results. One of the most important reasons for this addition is the rapid rise in the invention of new technology and its growing importance in all walks of life. The 4 P’s are four marketing activities, namely: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. A right mix of these helps a company satisfy customers and achieve objectives. Originally there were 12 elements that had been deemed necessary parts of a marketing mix. They were then divided into two categories: things being offered (the product, services, packaging, brand name and the price), second were tools. In 1965 these twelve were grouped in such a way as to form 4 categories instead of twelve. They are considered as a key to a marketing manager’s success in keeping the customers happy. In 1980 two authors tried to fit the marketing mix to the services sector by adding three more Ps: people, process, and physical evidence. Simila rly, Kotler suggested the addition of political power along with public opinion. This way the mix has been changed and amended to tailor to the needs of the sector, the opinion of the marketing expert or a change in the social structure of the market.3. Purpose of a strategic marketing planning and problems arising with its poor implementationThe main purpose of a strategic marketing plan is to streamline all the various marketing activities into a well devised and proper plan of action.

Residentual Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) at the Department of Essay

Residentual Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) at the Department of Correcti - Essay Example Drugs that fall under this category include alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methaqualone, and opioids. Depending on the jurisdictions of various countries, drug and substance abuse may lead one to be convicted of criminal offence and penalty. Another category of drug abuse misuse is the abuse of clinical drugs such as sedatives, analgesic, stimulants, and anxiolytic. Drug abuse with these substances occurs when prescriptions are misused, or administered inconsistently, or intentional use misuse in order to intoxicate oneself. Continued abuse of drugs creates in the victim a state of tolerance for the drugs. This means that his central nervous system gets addicted to the drugs and cannot function well without the drugs in its system. a halt to the use of the drugs creates withdrawal symptoms on the user, adversely affecting his functionality. The Residual Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) is a program for state prisoners aimed at enabling local governments and states to provide programs for treating substance abuse in their correction and detention facilities. Besides offering the services for the inmates while still in prison, the program extends its services to them after they are released as a form of community-based services. Those eligible for the services are prisoners in state prisons as individuals or groups. Requirements for the services include that the services last between 6-12 months, meaning that only prisoners imprisoned for such length of time only are legible. The second requirement is that the services be offered in a residential facility, a facility sent apart from the general population. The services focus duly on rehabilitation the inmate and nothing else such as the crimes he committed leading to his incarceration. The services are encompassing, integrating the inmate’s cognitive, behavioral,

Whistle blowing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Whistle blowing - Essay Example Taylor). Whistle blowing is seen as a breach of organizational loyalty and amounts to disclosure of information. It also amounts to pressure tactics by the employees as seen by some theorists. It is basically a conflict between the organization and the society. What kind of whistle blowing is the society and organization looking or hoping for? What is its place in the society? What are the meaning and justifications of the whistle blowing policies? Does whistle blowing resolve the conflict between the organization and the society? Why has whistle blowing been legitimized? Whistle blowing involves three categories of people - the individual, the organization and the society. Whistle blowing is done by an individual against an organization for the protection of the society. Whistle blowing policies are set of procedures and norms aimed at those individuals who disclose information about the organizational malpractices of the organization with which they are attached. Whistle blowers are given protection against dismissal, demotion or retaliation. If retaliation takes place by the organization, they are even provided compensation packages. Whistle blowing has perhaps always existed without this terminology but laws were passed to protect the courageous blowers. Kaplan & Kleiner (2000) emphasize whistle blowing occurs when employee and management relationship lacks professionalism. Issues, which can be handled as a part of the daily routine, remain neglected. When it develops into a significant situation, employees may bring it to the notice of the seniors, there by being named as whistle blowers. The practice of whistle blowing is necessary for professional organizations to maintain professional ethics and protect the public. Whistle blowing can be both good and bad for the society. William De Maria (2005) comments that whistle blowing can be a

Critique of Strategic Thinking for Information Technology Essay

Critique of Strategic Thinking for Information Technology - Essay Example line that requires study and preparation† as well as â€Å"a discipline that enables one to develop deep and far reaching conclusions about the information age and IT fighting.† Strategy is seen as an essential factor in the success of a business organization especially in an IT company where alignment is highly required. He also stressed that alignment is not a point-in-time concept and that IT must change in response to the changes that the organization faces. The chapter also presents the scenario of the information age where bits become source of value and where IT intensifies rivalry among industry players. In response to this, the traditional sustainable advantage is replaced with throwaway temporary advantage. Boar stresses that in order to keep up with the current competition, business organizations need not capitalize on long-term capacities but on short term competitive advantage. The main idea is to keep up with the competition by manoeuvring across time. An important point that Boar discuss is the importance of having a strategy in order to propel a business organization to its expected end (Boar 62-63). The author furthers his point by stating that business organizations can strategically position themselves by acquiring advantages both competitive and sustainable. In the end, his emphasis is on acquiring temporary competitive advantage that building on long-term sustainable advantage. This point is in direct contrast with what is taught by strategic management theorists Thomson and Strickland. In their book entitled Strategic Management, these thinkers recognize the importance of turning competitive advantage into sustainable advantage. They argue that business organizations should focus on the long-run and thus, find ways to sustain the competitive advantage that they have. The ideas presented by Boar contrasts that of Thomson and Strickland. While Boar favors competitive advantage, Thomson and Strickland are advocating sustainab le advantage. These

Whistle blowing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Whistle blowing - Essay Example Taylor). Whistle blowing is seen as a breach of organizational loyalty and amounts to disclosure of information. It also amounts to pressure tactics by the employees as seen by some theorists. It is basically a conflict between the organization and the society. What kind of whistle blowing is the society and organization looking or hoping for? What is its place in the society? What are the meaning and justifications of the whistle blowing policies? Does whistle blowing resolve the conflict between the organization and the society? Why has whistle blowing been legitimized? Whistle blowing involves three categories of people - the individual, the organization and the society. Whistle blowing is done by an individual against an organization for the protection of the society. Whistle blowing policies are set of procedures and norms aimed at those individuals who disclose information about the organizational malpractices of the organization with which they are attached. Whistle blowers are given protection against dismissal, demotion or retaliation. If retaliation takes place by the organization, they are even provided compensation packages. Whistle blowing has perhaps always existed without this terminology but laws were passed to protect the courageous blowers. Kaplan & Kleiner (2000) emphasize whistle blowing occurs when employee and management relationship lacks professionalism. Issues, which can be handled as a part of the daily routine, remain neglected. When it develops into a significant situation, employees may bring it to the notice of the seniors, there by being named as whistle blowers. The practice of whistle blowing is necessary for professional organizations to maintain professional ethics and protect the public. Whistle blowing can be both good and bad for the society. William De Maria (2005) comments that whistle blowing can be a

Five different sources of risk capital financing Research Paper

Five different sources of risk capital financing - Research Paper Example One of the most common sources of risk capital financing has been the angel investing. Most small companies that are starting have endeavored to in various online platforms with the aim of raising money. Ordinarily, an angel investor which involves equity finance uses their individual disposable finance to make their personal decision about making the investment. Normally shares are taken by the investor into the business in return for providing equity finance. This is with the aim of not only providing business with money to grow, but also bringing their experience and knowledge to help the company achieve success. This is the most significant source of investment in start up and early stage businesses in search of equity to grow the business and other investments. (Anonymous, 2010) Another source includes the venture capital. Normally venture capital aims at adding value in addition to the capital, towards the companies in which they invest. This reveals efforts of these investors to help the business grow and realize a greater return on the venture that has been undertaken. Ordinarily, venture capital is a type of equity financing that addresses the funding needs of entrepreneurs and companies that fails to seek capital from more traditional sources that includes public markets and banks. (SBA, 2012)This could be because of size, assets, and stage of development of the business. As discussed it can be noticed that angel investment differs significantly from venture capital finance that invests in businesses via managed funds that has been raised either through private or public money.Normaly,the venture entrepreneur director will invests the money on behalf of the fund. The capitalist should ensure that the investment is profitable and that it makes returns for the fund’s investors.Normaly,venture capital funds are more risk averse compared with angel investors’ and thus make fewer small investments in start

The Black Economy In India

The Black Economy In India It has been reported that, Black money today is created at every level of the Indian economy. As the Parallel Economy is unaccounted for, the official National Income accounts do not represent the true state of the economy. In light of this statement, Give the future directives on the parallel economy and cite the practical obstacles faced on the way to fight the black economy. INTRODUCTION Parallel economy connotes the functioning of an unsanctioned sector in the economy whose objectives run parallel, rather in contradiction with the aroused social objectives. This is variously termed as black economy, unaccounted economy, illegal economy, subterranean economy, unsanctioned economy or hidden economy. A hidden economy in its broadest sense may consist of a) illegal economy, such as money laundering, smuggling, etc; b) unreported economy including tax evasion; c) unregulated economy, ie economic activities outside regulations. The money laundering is a lack of transparency standards in bilateral and multilateral trade with flourishing offshore banking in tax havens has allowed it to grow unabated in past couple of decades. Experts estimate that around 50 per cent of GDP-or about Rs 33 lakh crore of black money-is generated every year through corruption at various levels. While black money which operates within the country can be productive, what goes overseas is seen as non-productive. Impact of Black Money The circulation of black money has adversely affected the Indian economy in several ways. It leads to the misdirection of precious national resources. It has enormously worsened the income-distribution. The fixed income salary class finds itself ever be the lower rung of the income-ladder as they pay taxes. They are not able to catch up with the people in business, or in professions, or many of those employed who make money by black activities. Many high placed official and honest employees earn much less than an average small shopkeeper in big cities like Bombay and Delhi. The existence of a big-sized unreported segment of the economy is a- big handicap in making a correct analysis and formulation of right policies for it. Black money results in transfer of funds from India to foreign countries through clandestine channels. Such transfers are made possible by violations exchange regulations through the device of under invoicing of exports and over-invoicing of imports etc. Black money requires for its protection, proliferation and expansion of a service organization composed of musclemen, touts and brokers to combat the forces of law and order on the one hand and on the other hand, there are income tax advisers, or chartered accountants in the pay of black money operators. There are contact men, liaison officers, Dallas , who negotiate favors from top bureaucracy and political bosses through bribes of black money. Black money has corrupted our political system in a most vicious manner. At various levels, MLAs, MPs, Ministers, party functionaries openly go on collecting funds for party or elections. Ministers dole out favors of crores by accepting black money donations of a few lakhs from businessmen National policies are, therefore, being bent in favor of the big business under the pressure of black money. Causes inflations- The politics of black money thus has corroded the moral fiber of Indian polity. Ministers dole out favors of crores by accepting black money donations of a few lakhs from businessmen. National policies are, therefore, being bent in favor of the big business under the pressure of black money. Due to the pernicious impact of black money on the Indian economy and polity that the Wanchoo Committee concluded: It is, therefore, no exaggeration to say that black money is like a cancerous growth in the countrys economy which, if not checked in time, is sure to lead to its ruination. Survey on Bribery and Corruption India lost a staggering $462 billion in illicit financial flows due to tax evasion, crime and corruption post-Independence, according to a report released by Washington-based Global Financial Integrity. The document on the Survey on Bribery and Corruption was released at the first annual fraud conference organized by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners here on June 21, 2011. The report stated that 68% of Indias aggregate illicit capital loss occurred after Indias economic reforms in 1991, indicating that deregulation and trade liberalization actually contributed to or accelerated the transfer of illicit money abroad. Reports that wealth is stashed in offshore destinations and tax havens also goes to indicate the extent of the problem, the report said. The KPMG India Fraud Survey 2010 suggested that today India is faced with a different kind of challenge. It is not about petty bribes, popularly known as bakshish anymore, but scams to the tune of thousands of crores that highlight political and industry nexus which if not checked could have far reaching impact on the economy. India has been facing governance challenges from within at various levels for a long time. Rigid bureaucracy, complex laws and long-drawn judicial process deter people from considering legal recourse in corruption cases. India has around 35 million court cases pending. Besides lack of manpower and poor infrastructure facilities, other factors hindering the anti-corruption drive include lack of teeth in the legal framework, the study said. A large number of respondents stated that organizations pay bribes to win and retain businesses. This is a typical scenario where organizations tend to overlook the implications of encouraging these practices and often look only at short term benefits achieved. They fail to realize that what has worked in their favor could also land into trouble later and lead to adverse consequences for them, the report said. The study noted that another key area where business is impacted is in the area of mergers and acquisitions. Nearly 37% respondents opined that the corruption could impact the valuation of a company thereby denying shareholders of a fair price. Moreover, it could also make it difficult for them to find a suitable business partner, thereby seriously impacting the growth prospects of the business, the study said. MEASURES TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE BLACK MONEY There is no reliable information about the money of Indians in undisclosed bank accounts outside the jurisdiction of the country. There are various estimations based on various assumptions and presumptions which may not be correct. Further there is a marked difference in the amount of these estimates. A proposal for getting a study conducted to estimate the quantum of black money both inside and outside the country has already been approved by Union Finance Minister. The following Government institutes have been approved in March, 2011 for conducting separate studies on black money: National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP); National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM); National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). Memorandum of understanding has been signed between CBDT and each of three institutes on 21.03.2011. The study will be completed within a period of 18 months from the date of MOU. Government has formulated a five pronged strategy to tackle the menace of black money which is as below: Joining the global crusade against black money, Creating an appropriate legislative framework, Setting up institutions for dealing with Illicit Funds, Developing systems for implementation (new manpower policy); Imparting skills to the manpower for effective action (constant training for skill development). In line with above strategy, the Government has taken several steps in the last two financial years, the details of which are discussed in the following paragraphs. Joining the global crusade against black money: Black money does not limit itself to the geo- political boundaries. It transcends borders and has become a global problem. The countries across the world have started a concerted global effort and as a part of global effort against black money, India has played a proactive role in pointing out deficiencies in the assessment of various countries by the Peer Review Group of the Global Forum. Government is also playing an active role in ensuring that these countries remove the deficiencies to bring more transparency. India has joined the Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development in order to bring greater transparency and accountability in the financial system. India has joined as the 34thmember of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on 25th June 2010. FATF membership is important as it will help India to build the capacity to fight terrorism and trace terror funds and to successfully investigate and prosecute money laundering and terrorist financing offences. India has j oined the Asia Pacific Group (APG)against Money laundering. The 14th annual Plenary of Asia Pacific Group (APG) was held in Kochi from 18-22 July, 2011. More than 320 delegates from 41 jurisdictions, observers and various organizations attended the Plenary which was inaugurated by the Union Finance Minister. India is the co-chair of this forum till July 2012. India has gained Membership of the Eurasian Group (EAG)in December 2010. India has joined the Egmont Groupwhich is an international network fostering improved communication and interaction among Financial Intelligence Units (FIU). India is an active member of G 20 and has played a key role both in identifying issues and drafting communiquà ©s. In the G 20 Seoul Summit, November 11-12, 2010, a clause countries to further enter into Tax Information Exchange Agreements wherever required by the partner country was incorporated in the communiquà © at the instance of India. Creating an appropriate legislative framework: The Government has been constantly trying to strengthen the legislative frame work to control generation of black money in the country as well as control the flight of such illicit fund to foreign shores. In pursuance of this India has so far completed negotiations of 22 new Tax Information Exchange Agreementswith various tax heavens. Nine of these agreements have also been approved by the cabinet. India has initiated process of negotiation with 75 countries to broaden the scope of Article concerning Exchange of Information to specifically allow for exchange of banking information and information without domestic interest. As on date, it has completed negotiation with 18 existingDouble Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) countries to update this Article. These agreements have also been initialed. 22 new DTAAs have also been finalized where the Exchange of Information Article is in line with the international standards. In short negotiations/renegotiations of DTAAs with 40 countries have b een completed. DTAAs with Switzerland (amendment), Norway (revised), Mozambique (new), Colombia (new), Ethiopia(new), Georgia(new), Taipei(new), Lithuania(new) and Tanzania(revised) have been signed. The protocol amending our tax treaty with Switzerland was signed on 30th August 2010 and has been approved recently by the Swiss Parliament (on 17thJune 2011). After following the mandatory constitutional process the DTAA will become operational. It will enter into force when Switzerland completes its internal process. Upon entry into force it will allow India to obtain banking information (as well as information without domestic interest) from Switzerland in specific cases for a period starting from 1st April 2011. There are certain countries or territories outside India which do not effectively exchange information with India as an anti-avoidance measure. The Government has enacted legislation to prescribe a tool box of counter measures against these non-cooperative jurisdictions. For this purpose, section 94A has been inserted into the Income-tax Act through Finance Act, 2011. This section gives an enabling power to the Central Government to notify any country or territory outside India, having regards to lack of effective exchange of information by it with India, as a notified jurisdictional area. Once the country/territory as such is notified as a non-cooperative jurisdiction, transactions with residents of such country/territory are subject to higher withholding, certain disallowances and the transactions are also subject to transfer pricing regulations. The Government has proposed the following specific new measures for unearthing black money in the Direct Taxes Code Bill:For the purpose of levy of wealth tax, taxable assets have been defined to include deposits in banks located outside India in case of individual, unreported bank deposits in case of others, interest in a foreign trust or any other entity (other than foreign company) and any equity or preferential shares held in a controlled foreign company. The General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR)has been incorporated to deal with aggressive tax planning devices used to circumvent tax laws. Specific Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules have been incorporated to bring to tax passive income earned by residents from substantial shareholding in companies situated in low tax jurisdictions. A reporting requirement has been introduced making it obligatory on the part of resident assesses to furnish details of their investment and interest in any entity outside India in the form and manner as may be prescribed. According to the Global Financial Integrity Report, major channel for illicit outflow is transfer of funds through mispricing which accounts for 77.6% of total illicit outflows. The existing transfer pricing provisions of the government, which were introduced in the year 2001 are not detailed provisions as compared to transfer pricing provisions of developed countries. It was felt that there is need to upgrade these transfer pricing provisions to meet the challenges of growing intangible economy and various complex cost sharing arrangements. As per directions of FM, DGIT (International Taxation) has constituted a committee to look into the issue of revising the transfer pricing provisions. The committee has already submitted its interim report which is under consideration.The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)was amended on 1st June 2009, whereby the predicate offences listed in the Schedule of the Act were substantially increased. This amendment has tremendously widened the s cope of Money Laundering Investigations. Setting up institutions for dealing with Illicit Funds; Government has decided to set up Exchange of Information (EoI) Cell for an effective exchange of information to curb tax evasion. Efforts are on to put the cell in place under Foreign Tax Division of CBDT. Government has approved the creation of the Directorate of Income Tax (Criminal Investigation), in the Central Board of Direct Taxes. The DCI will perform functions in respect of criminal matters having any financial implication punishable as an offence under any direct tax law. Government has set up Income tax Overseas Units in two Indian Missions abroad. Eight more such units are being setup in the current Financial Year to strengthen information exchange mechanism. In order to augment the reach of the Directorate of Enforcement, the Government has approved upgradation of five existing Zonal offices as Regional offices and five existing Sub Zonal offices as Zonal offices. It has also approved creation of a new Zonal office and 16 new Sub zonal offices of Enforcement Directorate a cross the country. The Process of filling up the additional posts sanctioned by the Government as also for upgradation of the existing offices and setting up of new offices of Enforcement Directorate has started. As per the Action Plan, the Ministry of Finance is filling up the Group A posts of the Directorate in three phases. Developing systems for implementation: Government has doubled the strength of Foreign Tax Division, which deals with the work of exchange of information. The Directorate of International Taxation and Transfer Pricing in the Income Tax Department have also been strengthened as major part of the flow of illicit money outside of India takes place through mispricing of international transaction.In a bid to strengthen the Enforcement Directorate, the Government has approved creation of 1318 new posts at various levels. The process of filling up of these posts has already been started by the Deptt. of Revenue. Imparting skills to the manpower for effective action: As a part of capacity building and skill development, 51 senior Officers were sent abroad for specialized training in the field of International Taxation and Transfer Pricing in F.Y. 2010-2011.Since skill up gradation in international tax and transfer pricing require substantial time and resource, a posting policy has been approved which provides that officers may be posted in the Directorate for the period not less than five years. Apart from the above the Government has also taken the following measures- The Government has constituted a Committee on 27th May, 2011 under the Chairmanship of Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to examine ways to strengthen laws to curb the generation of black money in the country, its illegal transfer abroad and its recovery. The Committee include Member (LC), CBDT, Director Enforcement (ED), Director General of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Director General (Currency), Joint Secretary (FTTR), CBDT; Director,(FIU-IND) as Members. The Committee will examine the existing legal and administrative framework to deal with the menace of generation of black money through illegal means including, inter alia, (a) Declaring wealth generated illegally as national asset; (b) Enacting/amending laws to confiscate and recover such assets; and (c) Providing for exemplary punishment against its perpetrators. The Committee will also consult all stakeholders and submit its report within a period of six months. 6.1 The second meeting of the Committee on the Black-Money was held on 29th July, 2011 and it has been decided that the Committee would hold its next meeting in September 2011 and in the meanwhile; (i) Letters have been written to various Industry Associations, Voluntary Organizations, ICAI, ICWAI and NASSCOM requesting them to give suggestions/views on existing legal and administrative framework available under the various laws to deal with the menace of generation of black money through illegal means, (ii) More than 3300 comments on the issue of black money have been received from the public via-e-mail which are being examined. (iii) Suggestions for improving the respective laws sent by the organizations, as well as gist of useful suggestions received through email, would be compiled and circulated. (iv) Reminders will be sent to industry and trade associations, ICAI and ICWAI for expediting their suggestion. (v)Letters have also been issued to Chief Commissioners of Income Tax (Cadre Controlling Authorities), Director Generals of Income Tax (Training), National Academy of Direct Taxes, requesting them to give suggestions/views on existing legal and administrative framework available under the various laws to deal with the menace of generation of black money through illegal means. PRACTICAL OBSTACLES FACED ON THE WAY TO FIGHT THE BLACK ECONOMY Pricing Goods acquired illegally take one of two price levels: They may be cheaper than legal market prices. The supplier does not have to pay for production costs or taxes. This is usually the case in the underground economy. Criminals steal goods and sell them below the legal market price, but there is no receipt, guarantee, and so forth. They may be more expensive than legal market prices. The product is difficult to acquire or produce, dangerous to handle or not easily available legally, if at all. If goods are illegal, such as some drugs, their prices can be vastly inflated over the costs of production. Black markets can form part of border trade near the borders of neighboring jurisdictions with little or no border control if there are substantially different tax rates, or where goods are legal on one side of the border but not on the other. Products that are commonly smuggled like this include alcohol and tobacco. However, not all border trade is illegal. Consumer Issue Even when the underground market offers lower prices, consumers still have an incentive to buy on the legal market when possible, because: They may prefer legal suppliers, as they are easier to contact and can be held accountable for faults; In some jurisdictions, customers may be charged with a criminal offense if they knowingly participate in the black economy, even as a consumer; They may feel in danger of being hurt while making the deal; They may have a moral dislike of black marketing; In some jurisdictions (such as England and Wales), consumers in possession of stolen goods will have them taken away if they are traced, even if they did not know they were stolen. Though they themselves commit no offense, they are still left with no goods and no money back. This risk makes some averse to buying goods that they think may be from the underground market, even if in fact they are legitimate (for example, items sold at a car boot sale). However, in some situations, consumers can actually be in a better situation when using black market services, particularly when government regulations and monopolies hinder what would otherwise be a legitimate competitive service. For example: Unlicensed taxicabs. In Baltimore, it has been reported that many consumers actively prefer illegal taxis, citing that they are more available, convenient, and priced fairly. Illegal Drugs From the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many countries began to ban the keeping or using of some recreational drugs, such as the United States war on drugs. Many people nonetheless continue to use illegal drugs, and a black market exists to supply them. Despite law enforcement efforts to intercept them, demand remains high, providing a large profit motive for organized criminal groups to keep drugs supplied. The United Nations has reported that the retail market value of illegal drugs is $321.6 billion USD. Although law enforcement agencies intercept a fraction of the illegal drugs, and incarcerate hundreds of thousands of wholesale and retail sellers, the very stable demand for such drugs and the high profit margins encourages new distributors to enter the market without an increase in the retail price. Many drug` legalization activists draw parallels between the illegal drug trade and the Prohibition of alcohol in the United States in the 1920s. In the United Kingdom, it is not illegal to take drugs, but it is illegal to possess them. This can lead to the unintended consequence that those in possession may swallow the evidence; once in the body they are committing no crime. Prostitution Prostitution is illegal or highly regulated in most countries across the world. These places form a classic study of the underground economy, because of consistent high demand from customers, relatively high pay, but labor intensive and low skilled work, which attracts a continual supply of workers. While prostitution exists in every country, studies show that it tends to flourish more in poorer countries and in areas with large numbers of unattached men, such as around military bases. Prostitutes in the black market generally operate with some degree of secrecy, sometimes negotiating prices and activities through codewords and subtle gestures. In countries such as the Netherlands, where prostitution is legal but regulated, illegal prostitutes exist whose services are offered cheaper without regard for the legal requirements or procedures- health checks, standards of accommodation, and so on. In other countries such as Nicaragua where legal prostitution is regulated, hotels may require both parties to identify themselves, to prevent the rise of child prostitution. Learning from the Article Through this Article we learn that:- Introduction to Black Economy in India. The Measures taken by Government to curb Black Economy. The Challenges faced while tackling Black Economy CONCLUSION Parallel economy is a new threat for the Indian economy. In India parallel economy is expanding very rapidly. Government of India introduced commissions under Kaldor, Wanchoo, Rangnekar, Chopra, and Gupta for estimating black economy. There are many factors like Controls and Licensing System, Higher Rates of Taxes, Ineffective Enforcement of Tax Laws, Inflation, Funding of political parties etc. that influence its growth. In India amount of black money are increasing continuously which badly impacts the economic growth of the nation. Such money is a new challenge for Indian economy. Indian economy is badly affected by black money as it is underestimating GDP, increasing inequality of income, increasing illegal activities etc. Over the past 50 years, the government has at various times announced several schemes offering opportunities to bring black money overboard but the result are not so effective. Some of these schemes are: introducing the scheme of Special Bearer Bonds, demonetizi ng high denomination currency notes, stringent raids and scheme of voluntary disclosures. These instruments are expected to reduce the volume of the black economy.

What is borderline personality disorder? Essay -- Psychology, Emocion

According to the DSM-IV(2000), Borderline Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following: 1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. 2. A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation 3. Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self 4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating) 5. Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behaviour 6. Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days ) 7. Chronic feelings of emptiness 8. Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights) 9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms (DSM IV; American Psychiatric Association, 2000). According to American psychiatric association, Consumer & Family Information (2001), people with the disorder experience a great deal of anxiety and psychological distress, and they have difficulties at school or work. They can learn to manage the disorder, but the disorder itself is life long. People who have borderline personality disorder can be very sensitive to the way others treat them, reacting strongly to criticism or misinterpreting oth... ...ed psychotherapies have demonstrated efficacy for some BPD symptoms in randomized controlled clinical trials. In conclusion, borderline personality disorder is characterized by instability of emotions, periodic impulsive and self-destructive behavior, and troubled relationships with other people. Despite the positive findings of the treatments for some patients and some symptoms of the disorder, comprehensive BPD treatment continues to be a challenge. The BPD symptoms least impacted by psychotherapeutic treatment are those more related to temperament and the ability to function effectively in occupational and social roles (Binks et al., 2006 as cited in Joan et al 2009). Medications that targeted some symptoms of borderline personality disorder have also been used. However, this practice has been proven to have different side effects and not reliably effective.

CONTEMPORY MANAGEMENT Essay -- essays research papers

CONTEMPORY MANAGEMENT Examine the implications of globalization for Australian business and discuss whether Australia should become more integrated into the global economy Australia is an excellent object of study of globalization and its implications for business as its economic structure is at an unusual 'mid-way' point. New market opportunities, competitive threats and opportunities alike have been the key drivers of globalization since the 1980's. This essay analyzes a variety of topics to determine whether Australia should become more integrated into the global economy. Defining globalization and its major players is crucial to the argument. Petrella's definition of the main characteristics of contemporary globalization will be used as a framework to analyze and define the main changes that are a result of globalization. Through this process, the second part of the paper is devoted to analyzing the advantages and disadvantages for Australian business in becoming more integrated into the global economy. A conclusion can then be reached to confirm that the viability of Australia's integration into the global economy is not only advantageous but also a necessary progression. Globalization is defined by various academics depending on the viewpoint they take. Keenoy and Kelly however most broadly define globalization as . . . The expansion of international trade and production to the extent that most forms of economic activity are not only interlinked but also interdependent Globalization can also be defined through its characteristics. Petrella describes globalization as comprising of the following concepts: „h Internationalization of financial markets „h Internationalization of corporate strategies, in particular their commitment to competition as a source of wealth creation. „h Diffusion of technology and related R&D and knowledge worldwide „h Transformation of consumption patterns into cultured products with worldwide consumer markets „h Internationalization of the regulatory capabilities of national societies into a global political economic system. „h Diminished role of national governments in designing the rules for global governance The internationalization of financial markets is a direct result of globalization and vice versa. Four clear forces have contributed to this: market saturation, disintermediation, deregulation of financial mar... ... of contemporary globalization have been discussed. The internationalization of finances and trade into a global political system puts Australian firms in the vulnerable position of becoming exposed to environmental risks of the world. These factors also open infinite opportunities to Australian businesses. Trading on a global basis allows larger access to consumers, hence profits, and the internationalization of finances can be considered an economic strength, rather than a weakness. The internationalization of corporate strategies requires a change in the thinking of managers and their planning. Through the diffusion of technology and transformation of consumption patterns the commitment to wealth creation can be endless. The major players in the global market place have changed with shifts in power towards large organizations. There will be losers in a more competitive environment but the benefits for Australian firms are endless. Globalization of Australia as it becomes more integrated into the economy is already in progress, and has been for a long time. If Australian firms are to keep up they will have to become more integrated, this is not a choice, but rather a necessity.

Dear John Doe

Dear John Doe,Thank you for your interest in the store manager position. We appreciate the opportunity to consider you for our team. As we have received many applications for this position and everyone was well qualified. You have more than enough experience and seem like you know what it takes to improve our stores. I also noticed you took some time to find out we are a Fortune 200 company which means you pay attention to details. You are confident in your letter and that is something we value, it shows a strong candidate! There are a few things I would recommend for future inquiries in any job position with us or another company. Always make sure to address the recipient as Mr. Ms. Or Mrs. When writing a formal letter. It comes off as more professional, and while we are always open to feedback for improvement a job letter is not the best place. Also, I absolutely hate to hear your store experiences weren't what you expected. Thank you for letting me know! And that is something that'll be taken into consideration. I'm looking for a positive tone when speaking about the company and we want you to express that in your letter. But If you every have a complaint you are more than welcome to let us know by calling, emailing or even writing us. Always make sure that you speak positively about your previous job experiences or employers. When speaking of your previous employers or fellow coworkers in a bad light it can come off as negative and we don't want that to happen.Lastly, while I've carefully reviewed your background and experience I've decided to proceed with other candidates who meet our needs more closely at this time. This was a tough decision for me, as you were a strong candidate. If you need to contact me any time regarding our response or any other issue, please to at: [email  protected] Sincerely,John TenfieldHiring [email  protected]

Ethics Assignment

Table of Contents 1. 0 Aims1 2. 0 Objectives3 3. 0 Introduction5 4. 0 Questions (a) and (b)13 5. 0 Conclusion14 6. 0 References15 1. 0 Aims To understand students understand the importance of work ethics in the work place. 2. 0 Objectives 1. Instill strong organizational values. 2. Build an integrity-based organization. 3. Develop ethical behavioral influences. 4. Implement plans and strategies to achieve ethical excellence. 3. 0 Introduction According to Chester Barnard, an organization is a system of consciously coordinated activities or efforts of two or more persons.His meaning of organization implies formal planning, division, of labor and leadership. On the other hand, Bedeian and Zamnuto see organizations as social entities that are goal directed, deliberately structured activity systems with a permeable boundary. Their meaning of â€Å"deliberately structured activity systems† basically means that organizations are structured in a proper way jobs are divided among peop le to achieve a common goal. According to www. dictionary. com, an organization a social unit of people that is structured and managed to meet a need or to pursue collective goals.Every organization has a management structure which will divide and break down the roles and tasks of different members. Organizations are also regarded as open systems which affects and also are affected by environment. (dictionary. com, n. d. ) In any organization, reputation is very important and ethics plays a vital role in the success of an organization. In short, ethics is the choices which individuals make both in their personal and professional lives which deal with morality such as right versus wrong. Charles D. Little, 2000) Business ethics also refers to ways in an organization carry out its business according to the accepted moral standards. It is actually a set of moral principles and code of conducts applicable to all businesses which not only relates to the customer itself but to the society as well. It also implies the ways of conducting business in a way which not only benefit oneself but to benefit everyone as a whole. According to Charles D.Little, organizational business ethics is the application of these morality related choices as influenced and guided by values, standards, rules, principles, and strategies which is related to an organization’s activities and business situations. Laura Nash with a Ph. D. from Harvard University further asserts that business ethics deals with choices about what laws should be and whether to follow them, about economics and social issues outside the law, and about the priority of self-interests over the company’s interests. (Laura Nash, 2000) . 0 Questions a) How can employers develop a better work ethics in the workstation? i) Employers should lead by example and practice what they preach. Employers should always lead by example by first doing what they want their employees to do. This is because if the manager itse lf practices what he preach, it shows how serious he is in leading by example. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) ii) Reward and praise those who deserve. Simple things like a thank you note or a note of praise will go a long way in showing you appreciation towards the employee.It will show how the employers appreciate its employees and also that the employers are not those who will take all the credit by themselves. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) iii) Reprimand those who go against work ethics. If there is anyone in the organization who breaks the rules of a company, action should be taken towards that employee to show how serious the organization is in dealing with ethical issues. It will also serve as a reminder to others to not go against any ethical code of conducts set by a company. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) iv) Legal and regulatory compliance.One way to develop better work ethics in the workstation is through legal and regulatory compliance. Employers should conduct their businesses according to the law in order to hold fast to the values of integrity which will help contribute to a company’s good reputation. (John J. Kane, n. d. ) v) Be accountable. Employers should also be accountable to whatever they do. The Code of Ethics by the Society of Professional Journalists states that admitting their own mistakes will make employees know that one should owe up to their own mistakes instead of running away from them.By doing this, employees will know that they would have to owe up to whatever they do and it is not right for them to push the blame to someone else for their own deeds as it is unethical. This practice will greatly help avoid unethical practices in the workstation. (spj, n. d. ) vi) Maintain true and accurate records and also proper disposal of records. Employers should always maintain true and accurate records and also the proper disposal of records. Information should not be alter or falsify to mislead the public.When appropriate, business information shoul d also be destroyed according to the legal requirements in a proper way to protect the privacy of stakeholders such as customers and employees of the company. (John J. Kane, n. d. ) vii) Should not practice favoritism. Employers should not practice favoritism in the workplace. They should always treat all employees equally. This to prevent any jealousy by any parties which could cause unethical work practices. A work environment where everyone is treated fair and just will reduce the chances of unethical behavior because employees will not feel less important or unappreciated. Code of Conduct, n. d. ) viii) Do not practice bribes and kickbacks. Bribes and kickbacks should not be practice in the company and should be strictly prohibited. Managers should never accept any bribes or favors from any parties for their own interest. Business arrangements with any outside parties should also be written out in a proper document and be approved by the legal counsel or authority in charged to avoid unhealthy practices in an organization. (John J. Kane, n. d. ) ix) Penalties The company should also enforce penalties to those who engage in unethical practices.Those who engaged in unethical practices should be demoted, laid off or be made responsible for their acts such as paying a fine. This would help prevent others in the organization from engaging in unethical behavior. (John J. Kane, n. d. ) x) Establish whistleblower provisions. Employers should also establish whistleblower provisions to protect employees who in good faith report misconducts by any party. This is to avoid retaliation, threats, harassment and discrimination by other employees.The establishment of this kind of act will encourage more people to speak up and unethical practices in a company can be eliminated. (John J. Kayne, n. d. ) xi) Tighten electronic and security requirements. Companies should tighten electronic and security requirements. This is to commit to protecting all aspects of information sys tems and at the same time make sure that all the organization abides by the policies established. This will help protect private information from being leaked out or stealing of information from other parties.This could help reduce the number of hackers whose aim is to steal private information. A system to monitor electronic data used in the company should also be implemented so that employees and employers alike could not simply disclosed or misuse information for activities that are unlawful and inappropriate. (John J. Kane, n. d. ) b) How do we (employers and employees) ensure that positive shared values are practiced and promoted to create an ethics-driven culture in the organization? i) Respect and avoid criticizing your employer.Employees should communicate effectively with the boss and respect them as their superiors. As times have change and more employers are more open to suggestions and feedback from employees but it does not mean that the employee could lash out anything at the employer. The employee should always know where to draw the line and never go overboard to criticize them or talk behind their backs. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) ii) Do not befriend your colleagues for the wrong reasons. Times have change and people nowadays are getting more busybody.There is always the office gossip where people want to know what is going on in other people’s lives. However, the best way is to always be honest in all your friendships and do not befriend others just to benefit from them. This is because people will always appreciate genuine friendship and befriending someone just to get something from him or her will not leave a good impression about you to others. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) iii) Avoid comparison. Everyone is unique in their own way, have their own set of talents and skills which is why people are assigned to different roles and tasks.One should not compare one’s work to other people or complain whenever another gets promoted. This is because promotion will come when you deserved it. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) iv) Do not interfere in other people’s affairs. Each and everyone in an organization should respect other’s privacy and should never try to interfere in people’s private affairs. Do not insist on knowing something if that colleague is reluctant to tell you and do not be too enthusiastic in giving your opinions.If someone confides in you about his or her problem, one should only listen and give them support which they need instead of tons and tons of advice. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) v) Do not be a busy-body. One good attitude to be practiced in the workplace is to not stick into other people’s affairs. One should instead use the energy to do better in their own work instead of poking into other people’s business. By doing this it will create a pleasant environment to work into and people will feel comfortable working with you. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) vi) Dress professionally.B oth employers and employees should always dress up professionally as the attire will speaks for itself and it will reflect well about the company towards an external organization. Therefore, people should always the dress code set by a company. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) vii) Leave personal matters at home. People should not bring their family to work as it may make other employees’ uncomfortable. Second, they should also not talk about family matters in the office as not everyone will be interested in their family matters. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) viii) Respect the contribution by others.When a colleague is praise or rewarded for his or her good performance, one should not get jealous because it will help to improve the organization and you yourself will stand to benefit from his or her performance. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) ix) Take credit only if it is yours and do not brag about it. If you had contributed to the success of something, then you should acknowledge it and should ce lebrate your achievements. However, if it is other’s work, then by all means direct credit to them. Besides, one should also not keep bragging their achievements in the workplace. Prema Jayabalan, 2013) x) Be informed. One should always themselves about everything which is happening around in an organization. It is not good to not know anything about your company as it will reflect how people look at you as a person. Besides, being updated in an organization will help generate a good impression about you to the employer as it shows that you are competent and relevant to the workplace. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) xi) Should not share or access any confidential information. Both employers and employees should not access or share any confidential information with anyone.It is very vital for both employers and employees to protect any information within their records so that each and every person’s privacy is respected. Private information should also never be sent over the In ternet except through the use of secure methods to prevent the leakage of private information. This practice will ensure that every person’s private and personal space is respected. (John J. Kane, n. d. ) xii) Never let conflict of interest intersect with work problems. Employers and employees should never let conflict of interest intersect with work problems. They should always put the organization’s interest before their own interest.To prevent conflict of interest from affecting professional judgement, employees are also not encouraged to deal with customers or others who are their close friends or relatives. (John J. Kane, n. d. ) xiii) Maintain a professional work environment. Both employers and employees should always maintain a professional work environment. Everyone should be treated fairly with respect, courtesy and consideration and they should not be any biasness in the workplace. This is to maintain a workplace free of any harassment or discrimination to en sure that both employers and employees could work in a positive environment with an ethics-driven cukture. John J. Kane, n. d. ) xiv) Stay free of substances such as drugs and alcohol. Both employers and employees should stay free of substances such as drugs and alcohol. Everyone should report to work free from any abuse of substances to prevent the influence of any drugs or alcohol while working and also to prevent any discomfort to other colleagues. This is also because working under the influence of alcohol and drugs could cause one to not be able to think properly and may cause tantrums which may disturb the peacefulness in the workplace. xv) Give everyone equal treatment.Employers and employees alike should be given equal treatment meaning that everyone is given equal opportunity. The setting at the workplace should be such that cultural differences are celebrated and does not discriminate by gender, sex, race, colour, or creed. Employment should be based on a merit system rela ted to competence and qualifications of the worker rather than based on a person’s gender, race, colour, or creed. (John J. Kane, n. d. ) xvi) Be honest and truthful. Employers and employees alike should always be honest and truthful in all their actions.When everyone in an organization is honest and truthful to each other, they will be a high level of trust among each other and this will lead to higher productivity as it is always easier to work with a trusted person. (Code of Conduct, n. d. ) xvii) Practice integrity. Employers and employees should practice integrity at all times. They should be fair and honest in all business dealings and also all other aspects of business so that outsiders such as suppliers, customers and the public will have faith in the organization.Thus, the reputation of the organization will be uplifted and everyone in the organization will be more motivated to practice ethical behaviour in the company. (Code of Conduct, n. d. ) xviii) Be responsible . Employers and employees should also be responsible at work. They should be committed to their work and develop a high sense of accountability as these would make working in an organization more pleasant. (Code of Conduct, n. d. ) xix) Practice high citizenship behaviour. Employers and employees should practice high citizenship behaviour meaning that they are patriotic, loyal and highly committed towards their company.They should always participate in all the matters relating to the progression of the company as this action will benefit and further motivate everyone in the company. (Code of Conduct, n. d. ) xx) Care for each other. Employers and employees should be caring towards each other. They should always show compassion and kindness to their colleagues and this must come from the heart. It will make people touch and people will be ready to open up to each other. This practice of openness will help discourage unethical behaviour and it will further stimulate a highly ethical w ork environment. Code of Conduct, n. d. ) 5. 0 Conclusion Ethics is a very important aspect which must be practice by all companies to ensure their survival and also its reputation. Lack of ethics in a company could easily cause a company’s downfall as it loses trust from other parties. Ethics is also important to ensure employees’ commitment as an employee will definitely not leave if he or she is treated appropriately. Long serving employees will also contribute to increase investor and customer loyalty and confidence as it is an undeniable fact that everyone loves and honest company who looks after its people well.Workplace ethics is very important because it enhances teamwork. With teamwork, it will enable employees to work together without any conflicts or prejudice. They will also be better to understand their employer’s expectations and could motivate and push each other to excel in a given task. This will also make working easier as they is a high level of trust, sincerity and partnership in the organization. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) It is also important as every employee will want to feel secure in a job. This will make employees more motivated to go to work as they know that they will not lose their job if they were not given valid reasons.Thus, employee productivity will be higher as they will feel appreciated and will not be harassed by other workers. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) Workplace ethics are also important as it helps protect the company’s privacy as well as property. Organizations where all employees strictly adhere to the code of ethics need not fear any leaking out of company’s information, truancy, taking false sick leave and other disciplinary and ethical issues. From then employer’s viewpoint, they should always treat their workers with respect and reward those who deserve. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) Ethics is also very important in aintaining a company’s reputation because the society at large will always admire and look up to a company which is ethical. This is because it shows that the organization is sincere and genuine in conducting their business and this will help attract more people towards the organization. (Prema Jayabalan, 2013) 6. 0 References Prema Jayabalan (2013), Workplace ethics: Ensuring harmony in the office [online] Available from : http://mystarjob. com/articles/story. aspx? file=%2F2013%2F2%2F2%2Fmystarjob_careerguide%2F12606844&sec=mystarjob_careerguide (Accessed on 27th February 2013) John J.Kane (2013), Code of Conducts and Ethics [online] Available from : http://codeofconduct. pdf (Accessed on 25th February 2013) Businessdictionary. com (n. d. ), What is an Organization? [online] Available from : http://www. businessdictionary. com/definition/organization. html#ixzz2LVVEI0Il (Accessed on 27th February 2013) Managementstudyguide. com (2008), Business Ethics – A Successful way of conducting business [online] Available from : http://www. mana gementstudyguide. com/business-ethics. htm (Accessed on 27th February 2013) Spj. org (2012), Society of Professional Journalists: SPJ Code of Ethics [online] Available from : http://www. pj. org/ethicscode. asp (Accessed on 27th February 2013) Don Knauss (n. d. ), The Role Of Business Ethics In Relationships With Customers [online] Available from : http://www. forbes. com/2010/01/19/knauss-clorox-ethics-leadership-citizenship-ethics. html (Accessed on 28th February 2013) Sumitama Mukherjee (n. d. ), What is an Organization? [online] Available from : http://whatisanorganization. pdf (Accessed on 28th February 2013) Charles D. 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