Discrimination in the workplace Essay

Discrimination in the workplace is a common behavior that occurs in all occupations and industries. It can occur whether you work for a large or small organization, you’re a boss, or just starting out. In an ideal world people would be equal in rights, opportunities, and responsibilities, despite their race or gender. In the world we live in, however, we constantly face all kinds of neglect based on different attributes. All over the world, certain people treat others with prejudice because of particular features they possess. Unfortunately, this happens even in places which, by definition, should be free of all personal prejudices – specifically, in offices and other business surroundings. This phenomenon is called workplace discrimination; not every unfair behavior at work, however, can be assessed as discrimination. So, what exactly is workplace discrimination? Basically, it can be defined as a less favorable treatment towards an individual or a group of individuals at work, usually based on their nationality, skin color, sex, marital status, age, trade union activity, or other defining attributes (Australian Human Rights Commission). It can appear as a denial of certain rights, negligent treatment, intentional underestimating of a worker’s personality or work results and achievements, and so on. A person can be discriminated by their employers, or by their coworkers as well. Discrimination can result into severe psychological consequences for the victim, such as emotional stress and anxiety. Discrimination often causes an employee to leave the workplace, resign from a position, or in severe cases, to commit suicide or act violently against the discriminators. Workplace discrimination can take more open and threatening forms, which are known as workplace harassment. It occurs when an employee is made to feel intimidated, insulted or humiliated, based on such features as race, ethnic origin, gender, physical or mental disability, or on any other characteristic specified under legislation (AHRC). The two most radical forms of workplace harassment are the application of physical violence, or sexual harassment; women are especially exposed to this kind of discrimination. Workplace violence can take several forms: the direct exercise of physical force against a worker that causes or could cause injuries to the worker; an attempt to exercise such physical force; or a statement or behavior that a worker can reasonably interpret as a threat to exercise physical force (Ontario Ministry of Labor). Sexual harassment can  take the form of obscene jokes and allusions; intrusive body contacts; inappropriate gestures, or even direct actions aimed at sexual contact. There are several ways to deal with workplace discrimination; such measures can be held both on the individual and on the collective level. Individuals who have experienced discrimination or harassment at work, are recommended to stand firm under verbal attacks, remain confident about their own abilities and judgments, and try not to stay alone with the abusive person (UnionSafe). At the same time, collective measures can be taken as well. They usually include calling for a meeting in a quiet confidential place in order to admit and discuss the problem; complaining to competent authorities; developing respective policies together with sanctions applied in case there is an infringement enacted by workers. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world, and not all people can enjoy equal opportunities and rights. This refers not only to our personal lives, but to our working environment as well; employees can be discriminated and abused because of certain features they possess, such as the color of skin, their ethnicity or gender, age, marital status, disabilities, and so on. To eliminate workplace discrimination, both individual and collective preventive measures should be made. References â€Å"What Is Workplace Discrimination and Harassment?† Australian Human Rights Commission. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 July 2013. . â€Å"Preventing Workplace Violence And Workplace Harassment.† Ontario Ministry of Labor. N.p., July 2011. Web. 05 July 2013. â€Å"Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace.† UnionSafe. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 July 2013. . Discipline & Discharge An employer may not take into account a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information when making decisions about discipline or discharge. For example, if two employees commit a similar offense, an employer many not discipline them differently because of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. When deciding which employees will be laid off, an employer may not choose the oldest workers because of their age. Employers  also may not discriminate when deciding which workers to recall after a layoff. Harassment It is illegal to harass an employee because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. It is also illegal to harass someone because they have complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit. Harassment can take the form of slurs, graffiti, offensive or derogatory comments, or other verbal or physical conduct. Sexual harassment (including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other conduct of a sexual nature) is also unlawful. Although the law does not prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that are not very serious, harassment is illegal if it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or if it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the victim being fired or demoted). The harasser can be the victim’s supervisor, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or someone who is not an employee of the employer, such as a client or customer. Harassment outside of the workplace may also be illegal if there is a link with the workplace. For example, if a supervisor harasses an employee while driving the employee to a meeting. Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices Under the laws enforced by EEOC, it is illegal to discriminate against someone (applicant or employee) because of that person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. It is also illegal to retaliate against a person because he or she complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit. The law forbids discrimination in every aspect of employment. The laws enforced by EEOC prohibit an employer or other covered entity from using neutral employment policies and practices that have a disproportionately negative effect on applicants or employees of a particular race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), or national origin, or on an individual with a disability or class of individuals with disabilities, if the polices or practices at issue are not job-related and necessary to the operation of the  business. The laws enforced by EEOC also prohibit an employer from using neutral employment policies and practices that have a disproportionately negative impact on applicants or employees age 40 or older, if the policies or practices at issue are not based on a reasonable factor other than age. 2. Which federal laws cover language discrimination? Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that protects individuals from discrimination based upon national origin and race. Some courts and governmental agencies have said that discrimination based on language is a form of national origin discrimination because primary language is closely related to the place a person comes from. So if you are being discriminated against for using that language, or because of characteristics having to do with that language, that is considered essentially the same as if you were being discriminated against because of your national origin. This area of the law is still developing, however, so you should also consult with a local attorney for more information. 6. Can I be asked not to speak my native language at work or to speak English only? A rule requiring employees to speak only English at all times on the job may violate the law, unless an employer shows it is necessary for conducting business. If an employer believes the English-only rule is critical for business purposes, employees have to be told when they must speak English and the consequences for violating the rule. Any negative employment decision based on breaking the English-only rule will be considered evidence of national origin discrimination if the employer did not tell employees of the rule, except in several western states as noted below. In California, as of January 1, 2002, there is a specific legal provision which makes it illegal for an employer to adopt or enforce a policy that limits or prohibits the use of any language in any workplace, unless both of the following conditions exist: (1) the language restriction is justified by a business necessity; and (2) the employer has notified its employees of the circumstances and the time when the language restriction is required to be observed and of the consequences for violating the language restriction. â€Å"Business necessity† is defined as â€Å"an overriding legitimate business purpose such that the language restriction is necessary to the safe and efficient operation of the business, that the language restriction  effectively fulfills the business purpose it is supposed to serve, and there is no alternative practice to the language restriction that would accomplish the business purpose equally well with a lesser discriminatory impact.† In the states of Alaska, Arizona, California (but the above state law still applies), Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, there is a court decision that requires one of the following two circumstances for an employee to challenge a â€Å"speak-English-only† policy in the workplace under federal law: the rule is applied to employees who speak no English or who have difficulty speaking English; or the policy creates, or is part of, a work environment that is hostile toward national origin minority employee s. If, initially, an employee is able to show that either of those conditions applies, the employer must show some â€Å"business necessity,† a sufficiently compelling and clearly job-related need, for the policy. Even if the employer does demonstrate business necessity, the policy is still illegal if there are less discriminatory alternatives to the policy that achieve the same goals just as effectively. At this point, although the law on language discrimination continues to evolve, employees in the U.S. but not in these states do not have to show either of the two conditions. The mere existence of a policy, whether or not it affects or targets national origin minority employees, is evidence of discrimination which may only be overcome by the employer’s business necessity. In Nebraska, a statute called the Protections for Non–English Speaking Employees Law offers several protections for workers whose primary language is not English. The law applies to employers that employ 100 or more workers and recruit or hire non–English-speaking workers residing more than 500 miles from the place of employment, and where more than 10 percent of the employers’ workforces are non -English-speaking and speak the same non-English language. Employers must provide non-English-speaking workers with required written information about the job and obtain the person’s signature on a statement acknowledging having received that information before hiring. Employers are required to provide bilingual employee interpreters to assist non-English speaking workers in carrying out their job responsibilities and to provide them with information on community services. Employers are also required to transport employees who quit within 4 weeks back to the locations from which they were recruited. More people in the workforce are claiming discrimination over  their English-speaking ability or foreign accents, according to federal officials.Workplace discrimination complaints based on national origin — which often involve language ability — rose by 76 percent from 1997 to 2011, when more than 11,800 complaints were lodged with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC attributes the trend to a more ethnically diverse labor force — about 45 million Americans speak a language other than English at home. Civil-rights advocates say workplace environments have grown more hostile in states enacting tough new immigration laws. It is a common dilemma: employees complain about co-workers speaking other languages at work, conflicts arise, teamwork suffers, and morale issues begin invading the organization. These complaints usually center on an employee’s perception that it is rude for co-workers to speak another language at work, that such actions are intended to be deliberately exclusive and to make other employees feel uncomfortable. Employees feel they are being talked about, laughed at or even plotted against. Yet, Title VII protects employees from national origin discrimination, and therefore, employers must allow employees to have conversations in their native languages, unless there is a reasonable business need to require English-only rules during working hours. So what can HR do to resolve this conflict when English-only rules do not apply, such as during break times and lunches, and for businesses that cannot justify such a policy? First, educate employees on discrimination laws and work to f oster inclusion. Start with presentations on national origin discrimination and show the correlation between native languages being allowed in the workplace and the law. Work to create a presentation that shows common misconceptions on both sides and engenders respect for each other. Employees should be well informed of the company’s discrimination policy, which should also include the use of languages and guidance on what would constitute discriminatory or harassing behaviors. It should be communicated to all employees that failure to abide by the company’s policy and its expectations may result in disciplinary action, including termination. HR must also search for ways to ensure that inclusion is an integral part of the company’s culture. Providing a cohesive environment where everyone is respected and valued is vital to ensuring organizational success. Employees may find it  easier to assume that others are deliberately speaking a foreign language to hide something rather th an to take the time to understand another’s point of view. Conversely, always excluding employees from conversations by using another language can be unprofessional, unfair to co-workers and not in the best interests of the employer. Diversity and inclusion training should include awareness of cultural differences and the challenges non-native-English speakers may currently or once have faced, such as trying to fit into a new culture, being understood when conducting daily activities and being accepted and included at work. Employees also need to respect those fluent in more than one language. These individuals are able to speak English, but at times choose to speak to others in another common language. This is a natural way of sharing a part of their heritage while providing enjoyment in speaking a language that they both share. Finally, the organization’s management must â€Å"walk the talk† and be ready to address situations that affect their teams or jeopardize the employer’s goals and vision for the organization. SHRM HR Knowledge Center As a professional member of SHRM, you can receive free, exclusive access to the HR Knowledge Center. Our advisors have many years of HR experience and a wide variety of resources to assist you with your HR questions. You may reach the Knowledge Center at (800) 283-7476, Option #5 or by using the HR Knowledge Center Request Form. Express Requests The HR Knowledge Center has gathered resources on current topics in HR management. Click here to view and request information. Obtain reuse/copying permission – See more at: http://www.shrm.org/templatestools/hrqa/pages/whydosomeemployeesreactnegativelytootherlanguagesatwork.aspx#sthash.961esjei.dpuf Another step HR can take to prevent discrimination is to encourage cooperation and friendly, professional work relationships by creating  diverse departments or work areas throughout the company. Make sure employees know where to report any incidents of discrimination. Be sure to list the name of the Human Resources staff member that can document the complaint or report and is able to answer any questions or respond to concerns the employee may have. It is important that the HR staff member informs the manager or supervisor about the employees mentioned in the complaint so that the manager is informed and can schedule a private meeting with the employee to explain that they will have to answer the complaint. Be sure that all employees know that discrimination complaints are taken very seriously and addressed in a professional manner. Make any decisions regarding disciplinary action in a timely manner so that employees are not left to wonder what the outcome of the situation will be. Another step HR can take to prevent discrimination is to encourage cooperation and friendly, professional work relationships by creating diverse departments or work areas throughout the company. Make sure employees know where to report any incidents of discrimination. Be sure to list the name of the Human Resources staff member that can document the complaint or report and is able to answer any questions or respond to concerns the employee may have. It is important that the HR staff member informs the manager or supervisor about the employees mentioned in the complaint so that the manager is informed and can schedule a private meeting with the employee to explain that they will have to answer the complaint. Be sure that all employees know that discrimination complaints are taken very seriously and addressed in a professional manner. Make any decisions regarding disciplinary action in a timely manner so that employees are not left to wonder what the outcome of†¦

Communication in the customer service role Essay

Section 1 – Understand methods of communication with customers 1a) Use the table below to outline at least two different customer service situations and the different methods of communication that would be needed in these situations. Situation Methods of communication 1. IT department was doing a project over summer to upgrade some older PC’s in around different departments. When Staff came back to work after break there was some complaints of no printers being connected and also lost documents The best methods of communication are in person and trying to rectify the problems straight away with written reporting to helpdesk software to avoid issues reoccurring. 2. Customer has bought an item from catalogue or internet. But when it arrives He is not happy with the quality of the item. Because he can not find returns procedure, he needs to contact the store. The customer has a choice to either write an email or call the store. Find out the returns procedure and get RMA number, also to agree how much money would be refunded. 1b) Based on the information you have provided in the table above, outline why the different situations need different methods of communication. Different situations need different methods of communication to make sure your customer knows that you care and to show empathy to the current situation and customers problems if any. You need to plan the form of communication in relation to the context, and consider different audience and purpose. 2. In relation to your current organisation (or one that you know well), complete the table below by listing at least three different examples of customer interaction and identify the most suitable communication method for each one. Customer interaction Communication method 1. Customer calls to report a problem. Because he is already on the phone, the best is to deal with the situation straight away, ask politely can customer log a job on helpdesk while you look at the issue, than call back customer with the fix. 2. Customer Logs a job on Helpdesk. Prioritise jobs on urgency, and fix them one by one, even if you can not  contact the customer make sure you update comments on each job so if customer go back to check, he can straight away know the progress. 3. Customer comes in with the problem to your office. The best is to listen to customer, tell him you will log a job together and after that go and have a look at the issue. If customer has to go back to his work in the mean time, Ring them back with un update. 3. Complete the table below by identifying at least two advantages and at least two disadvantages of each communication method. Communication method Advantages Disadvantages Face to face 1. Seen body language 2. You can demonstrate the fix 1.You can be interrupted 2. if customer decides to escalate an issue it can be humiliating In writing 1. Written communication can be kept 2. Facts can be passed on without personal adjustments 1.Letters are slower methods of communication than spoken 2. there is no guarantee customer received it Via telephone 1. Instance Response 2. No special tools required 1.you can’t see customer facial expressions 2. You may still have to write to customer afterwards 4. When responding to a customer query in writing, outline the content that could be included in a standard letter. When responding to a letter of complaint you should address all of the areas raised by the customer in their letter. As an organization you need to show the concern, and let the customer know about the commitment to good customer service. Other thing are providing the detail if what do you need to resolve the situation (information details about the complaint) You should also tell them what action has been or will be taken by the organization to resolve the situation. Let customer know that competent person will deal with the matter personally, with job title detail at the end of the letter. 5a) Explain what is meant by the term ‘active listening’. Active listening is about engaging  with the person speaking, in order to understand them. Making sure that we do not disturb in any way the person speaking, but also we appear to be listening and not do anything else in the mean time. Also we keep an Eye contact with other person, nodding or agreeing with person at appropriate moments. 5b) Why is active listening important when dealing with customers? Active listening is important when dealing with customers because it helps you to: Make sure customers feel good after they leave the conversation. Check that you’ve got all the facts, and correct any errors. Encourage further sales opportunities. Properly communicate any message. Remain calm, friendly and polite with the customer. Stay motivated to communicate with that customer in the future. Support organisational effectiveness and customer relations. 6. Use the table below to describe the standard greetings of three different organisations and how these greetings impact on customers. Organisation Standard greeting Impact on customers Charity Shop, coffee shop Face to Face What you wear has an impact – are you required to wear a uniform or badge? How you sound has an impact – it’s important to be polite. Your facial expression has an impact – do you look sullen or approachable? Do you look tidy and presentable? How’s your body language? Is it negative with folded arms, or is it positive with an open posture? Smiles and acknowledgements meet guests’ needs for attention. Call centre Telephone How you sound has a make-or-break impact! If you sound tired or disengaged, the customer will pick up on this. If you sound enthusiastic and pleasant, the customer is likely to feel more at ease. Smiling as you pick up the phone may improve how you sound. It’s important to be polite.Your appearance is not as important but your manners are – offer assistance and listen and respond where appropriate. Supermarkets Boards Impersonal, some people might not notice is. Good when there are a lot  of customers. Customers feel welcomed without being disturbed. Section 2 – Understand how to handle customer service information 1. Explain what information may be held about customers by an organisation. Organisation can hold different types of data to provide an improved personalised service. WHO – essential info like name, gender email address and telephone number, also sometimes customers address, date of birth and ethnic background. HISTORY – Information concerning a customer’s transaction history with the organisation may include when and how they bought products or used services in the past. For example, did they buy products online, by phone or in person? PREFERENCES – Information about customer likes and needs and sometimes interests is essential to an organisation trying to understand exactly why customers buy or use the product or service on offer. 2. Outline at least two examples of ways in which customer information can be kept secure and confidential. COMPUTER SECURITY – One of the ways which organisation can implement to keep customer information secure and confidential. To implement computer security organisation needs to: Implement a firewall Install Antivirus, anti spyware and anti malware Keep your software up to date with latest patches Implement folder security with access to files by job description Implement IT usage policies Implement password policies Implement Backup and secure storage for it Secure format all drives before disposing OFFICE SECURITY – Steps needed to take to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information in the office: Ensure physical security to the building Implement Data protection policies with Data protection officer Make sure all confidential documents are shredded When sending information to outside recipients double check it going to right people 3. In relation to your current organisation (or one that you are familiar with): Give at least two examples of information about the organisation that  should not be disclosed to customers. 1. Any details of and pending investigations and proceedings against college. 2. Personal data of staff and students. Explain why this information should not be disclosed to customers and the implications on the organisation if it is. 1. It could impair the effective conduct of public affairs, it could ruined the public image. 2. Personal data should never be disclosed to other customers or the general public because it’s protected by the Data Protection Act 1998. The implication is of course ICO enforcement and financial penalties. Section 3 – Understand how to work as part of a team to provide effective customer service 1. In relation to your current customer service role (or one that you are interested in doing in the future), what are the limits of this role when delivering customer service (e.g. what are you able to deal with as part of this role and what situations would you be unable to handle without assistance from others)? I am IT Services engineer, product specialist. My Job role is to develop good working network for apple hardware, but also work with other engineers to maintain current systems. Answer customer queries and fix problems. If customer hardware is broken beyond repair, the only thing I can do is tell customer to request replacement, I can not promise that we will be able to do it. If repair is out of my hands I help customer to log/ update job on helpdesk and make sure the right engineer knows its been booked for him. That helps keep customer expectations at the level we can satisfy them. 2. If you were faced with a customer query outside of your individual responsibility, what sources of help would be available to you? Identify them below. Other engineers (specialities)

Compare and Contrast Song of Roland and The Iliad. Similarities and Term Paper

Compare and Contrast Song of Roland and The Iliad. Similarities and differences - Term Paper Example The poems are long works and so they are broken into shorter verses and chapters, which makes it easier for the performers to remember. There are many repeated phrases that are used to refer to individual characters or places. Athena is usually referred to in terms of her grey eyes, for example, and there are a lot of references to Roland’s youth and nobility. The content is also similar. Both poems tell the stories of heroic warriors who fight with each other on behalf of great kings. There is a lot of focus on battles, and the women play a secondary role, usually being taken captive like Helen in the Iliad and Bramimonde in the Song of Roland and displayed as a trophy for the winner of a battle. There is a strong narrator who reports what happens, what people are thinking and saying, and even what gods and other divine messengers are doing. The contrast between the human and divine dimensions is very important in epics. There are obvious differences in terms of the historica l period and culture of the two poems. Homer talks about war between Greeks and Trojans, while the Song of Roland deals with the Frankish followers of Charlemagne and their enemies the Muslim Saracens. In the Greek/Trojan world there are many different gods who take an active part in the battles.

Work within a Legal and Ethical Framework Assignment

Work within a Legal and Ethical Framework - Assignment Example She is telling Scott that when she last had her hair done, Eleni’s mother had told her that all was not well between her and Eleni’s father, and that a possible separation was being discussed. 1.Is this ethical behaviour? Which Code of Ethics guidelines would assist you in ?this decision and how? 5 marks ?2.What will you do in the short-term? What would be your longer term team ?strategy? 5 marks What is going on now is not ethical behaviour. Usually, most basic Codes of Ethics focus on human dignity and the respect for human dignity. Belinda talking about what Eleni had told her about possibly splitting up from Scott (the father)—was not only unethical, but even moreso if it occurred in front of the children. Even if these comments by Belinda were not made in front of the children, such behaviour still shows a great lack of respect on the part of Belinda for discussing a personal matter between the parents in front of other parties. In the short-term, it would b e advisable to let Belinda know that it is not acceptable behaviour to discuss such a topic without Eleni’s knowledge. Belinda should be alerted that this is unethical behavior. As a longer-term strategy, Belinda should be alerted also to the fact that the relationship between Eleni and Scott is delicate and that it is really none of her business to discuss the couple’s private business, especially if children are present. That is really none of Belinda’s business and someone should definitely let her know her place. She could severely damage the relationship between Scott and Eleni by spreading such malicious gossip. It is against several different codes of ethics to slander people in such a manner. In this way, Belinda should be warned that this is not ethical behaviour—at any rate—and that it should be stopped immediately or told that she will face charges of ethics violations. Task 2: Work within the roles and responsibilities of a childcare ?w orker (10 marks) The room leader is going on holidays and Nikki has asked you to be responsible for the ?children’s program whilst she is away. The room leader will be absent for a month. 1 How does this request fit within your job description as an untrained child carer? 5 marks 2. Based upon this, what would be your response to Nikki? What issues would you need to discuss and agree upon? 5 marks As an untrained child carer, being the children’s program room leader would not be a job that I could responsibly complete. Based upon this, my response to Nikki would be that I could not take on the role or responsibility that she has as room leader at the daycare center. The issues that would need to be discussed and agreed upon is how I could feasibly be the room leader. One way to possibly substitute for Nikki would be if I were to be supervised by someone who had the appropriate educational degree and/or experience comparable to that of someone who is a room leader at th e children’s daycare center. It is important that these issues be addressed because Nikki cannot simply go on vacation and leave the children hanging in the balance. She must make appropriate plans as to how the children will be cared for—and if she cannot make plans for who will supervise the children while they are being cared for, the facility should either be shut down for the month that she is gone—or she should effectively find someone else who can take over her position, either temporarily or permanently. This is her responsibility and she must make the appropriate arrangements or else close the school. The children are her first priority. In the event that she does not want to close the school, Nikki should make arrangements to hire a suitable replacement either on a temporary, contingency basis—

Overt Police Patrol Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Overt Police Patrol - Essay Example Over the past forty years, police activities and policies have been a realm of extensive review and reform in UK, particularly in England and Wales. These extensive review and reform called for community policing, police accountability, police response to public disaster and crime, and the impact of public perception of police on the media. The study of Sharp (2005) suggests that there is a need for a better understanding of the theories that apply to police practice in general. Similarly, there is a relevance and applicability of recent theoretical developments in British surveillance studies, supporting how policing activities may be made effective. In this sense, the surveillance solution occupies the central stage in the midst of new policy initiatives for an attempt to modernize the criminal justice system (Clive 2006). Crawford (1999) analyzed current criminal justice discourses and practices relating to the actions in the community, as well as prevention and partnerships. Impo rtant subject matters that influence the strength of overt police patrol in countering and reducing crimes are government strategies originating from both the state and outside it (ibid). These strategies reflect the extent to which sociopolitical landscape may be transformed in connection with crime control and prevention. Police accountability has been consider... crimes in the UK, after the killing of an innocent man, Jean Charles de Menezes who was wrongly suspected as a suicide bomber by the Metropolitan Police. Traditional policing in the UK have been based on the construct of reasonableness, compromise, and respect for the individual's rights, in which a central tenet is the rare use of coercive force, premised on the continuum that ranges from negotiation to lethal consequences (Kennison and Loumansky 2007). Developed policies in order to combat crimes and terrorism denote a preferred option to restrict police to shoot to kill. There is a general consensus that a robust and overt response are required to combat terrorism and crimes, thus, a balance among liberty, security, and police accountability is an issue raised (ibid). It implies that overt police activities have a corresponding requirement for accountability, which is assessed in the context of operational policy-making. Kennison and Loumansky conclude that the nature and structur e of policing is transforming from being covert, reasonable, and understated towards zero tolerance, military, and overt style in the quest to combat terrorist crimes. It implies that traditional reactive policing styles have given way to a proactive military style with overt displays, which tend to overlook civil rights. Hence, there is a need for the public to trust their police, because a trustworthy police system is one that acknowledges the civil rights of people. In its annual report (2004-2005), Hampshire Police Authority stressed that a year of rapid growth in its capacity to meets its objectives in terms of policing has transpired with the appointment of a Community Consultation Officer and a Performance Officer. In 2000, challenging targets were set in reducing domestic

Leaders in Today's Organizations Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Leaders in Today's Organizations - Research Paper Example A research study shows that there are different factors which are necessary for being an emotionally intelligent person. The leaders who are self-aware of their personalities and can understand their strengths and weaknesses can be emotionally intelligent because they can also deal with the emotions of other people (Downy, 2011). Another important characteristic is self-regulation which is required for developing emotional intelligence. A self-regulation means the maturity level of the person. A person should be mature enough to handle the criticism and all other matters, only then he can be termed as an emotionally stable and intelligent person. An emotionally intelligent leader should have excellent communication skills so that he can control and manage people and their emotions (Downy, 2011). Conflict resolution and social awareness are two different factors, which make for being an emotionally stable and intelligent leader. Currently, there are many multinational firms, which are focusing on the emotional intelligence of their managers so that they can prove themselves as effective leaders. The concept of accountability is an important factor from the leadership point of view. If a leader feels he owns accountability towards his responsibilities then it means that he is taking care of his own duties and rights. On the other hand, if a leader develops a sense of accountability for his followers then it means that he is creating an environment where everyone is responsible and answerable for his duties and actions (Gentry, 2007). In both situations, the ultimate benefit will go for the leader and the organization because if the followers feel the responsibility then it means that they will accurately follow the instructions of the leader.

The Rise To Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Rise To Management - Assignment Example Although theory forms the basis of nearly all the research; yet the way in which theories are developed varies a lot. Research that gives rise to management issues can be carried out in a number of ways, some of which are mentioned in this work and include establishing causal relationships, evaluating the efficacy of approaches to various problems and derivation of results by the use of descriptive studies.The problem of pharmaceutical companies regarding the loyalty of their customers can well be addressed by the use of smartphone app, as it provides a means of information exchange at very personal level. However, the suggested framework for the purpose of revealing the underlying nature of the problem may prove to be beneficial only if the users of the app are convinced enough to participate in the activity that relates to the provision of personal information for the purpose. Since this is largely a matter of personal choice and preference, and no clear-cut incentive is involved i n the process, the likelihood of this method's success is questionable. Additionally, the approach of quantitative examination leading to the qualitative understanding of the nature of Jamaican consumers raises questions regarding the feasibility of the approach. Will the outcomes obtained as a result of the implementation of this approach be reproducible and applicable in the long run? Also interesting to note is the presumed relationship of the success of smart-phone app to the sales of branded products.

Sustainable Operation Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Sustainable Operation Management - Assignment Example According to Appleby (2013) this basically not only deal with supply chain and the introduction of raw materials but also the wider development and design of processes as well as waste disposal, this also deals with the incorporation of lifecycle analysis focused on ensuring that sustainability efforts is inclusive in all the processes (Appleby 2013). Sustainable practices within organizations must be developed to ensure the reduction of carbon footprint throughout the specific targeted processes in the organization. Sustainable operations management is evident in many in order to achieve the desired outcome. REFILLING WATER IN SWIMMING POOL IN SPORT HALL Sport swimming pools sometimes need to be completely drained and then refilled. Pre-balanced water is usually needed to be refilled directly into the empty pool. It is important to identify effective and efficient process of refilling and maintaining the swimming pool to meet the set standards for sports. Therefore preventive swimmi ng pool practices should be adopted in this process in order to save time as well as costs. Boosting the efficiency of the sports swimming pool is very important in reducing the underlying carbon footprint facilitating achieving sustainable lifestyle (Finkbeiner 2009). The process of refilling the sports swimming pool to achieve sustainability there has to be energy conservation, water and the chemicals at the pool. Increased carbon footprint at the pool leads to a great dent on the environment. An overview of sustainable operations management concerning swimming pool water refilling is to facilitate environmentally labeled â€Å"Green Home† swimming pool more concern put on pool evaporation, reduced carbon footprint and long term sustainability (Finkbeiner 2009). The following is the processes that are followed to achieve sustainable operations management in refilling water in swimming pool. Cleaning the swimming pool This is mainly the first step after the pool has been dri ed out. The surface composition needs to be determined. These basic procedures enhance efficiency and save a lot of time. Deck and cover cleaning is a common method which facilitates removal of debris and spa deck. A quick sweep facilitates removal of debris near the swimming pool. In conducting this process care should be taken to avoid abrasive surfaces while dragging the cover off the pool. Surface skimming is applied in removing dirt floating on the surface. It is remembered to empty skimming debris into the lawn so that it does not blowback into the pool when it dries up. Tile brush and tile soap to clean the tiles and this is done below and above the waterline. It is notable that evaporation and refilling of the swimming pool usually changes the waterline. Brushing is the most efficient way of removing algae from the surfaces and directing the dirt to the main drain so that it can be sucked in the filter (Appleby 2013). It is important to clean the filter and run fresh water i n the circulation system to purge away all the dirt from the lines. The general effective and efficient process in carryout this is to drain, clean and to refill the swimming pool. Refilling the swimming pool The pool is filled direct in the sunlight in cases where it is filled above the ground. The direct sunlight facilitates stretching of the liner as the pools fills. The spigot is turned on

Progress Era Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Progress Era - Essay Example The laborers were subjected to unfair payments, most of them were not able to own or even operate businesses, acquire material and properties or even upgrade to better housing standards. Due to the progressive movement ideologies, people were able to identify that the prevailing poor economic conditions of the country were motivated by the high levels of poverty in the country. (George Wanshington university 1999)Since the poverty had stricken various people, the progressives wanted to turnaround the poverty levels so that more people would be able to fend for themselves and that would lead to the progress of the country as a whole. The progressives also expressed issue to do with escalating cases of child labor in the country. The country experiences increased cases of child labor due to the increased industrialization. The poor conditions in the country also contributed in a big way to the increased child labor. (Putman 2000) Most people were not able to adequately fend for their families, thus, minor citizens would be employed in the manufacturing industries to help their parents provide for them. There were various issues concerning the child employment in the country, in a census conducted in 1890, close to one million children who were aged between ten and fifteen years worked in America. In the 1910 census, there were more than 2 million which indicated an increase from the previous census. (Davis 2003)During the time, it was even more serious since children as young as five and six were employed in companies to work for as long as eighteen hours every day. This was sore to the progressives who looked fo rward to a child labor reform which would eventually relieve the country of the high levels of child labor in the country. As seen from the above, it is clear that the progressive reformers were convicted that the

The balanced equation shows that two moles of silver nitrate react with one mole of copper Essay Example for Free

The balanced equation shows that two moles of silver nitrate react with one mole of copper Essay Qualitative Observations: * The copper was a orange/red colour before being submerged. * While the silver nitrate AgNO3 was a clear colourless liquid. * Immediately after the copper was submerged it turned black. * The copper wire was resting on the bottom of the beaker. * After prolonged submersion the wire became thicker as more precipitate was formed on the wire. * After prolonged submersion the solution became a clear light blue solution. * After 24 hours a silver/grey crystalline structure formed around the wire and on the bottom of the beaker. Processed data table: What I measured Value (unit) 3sf Uncertainty Mass of reacted Cu 0.332(g)  ±0.002g Number of reacted Cu 0.00522 mol % uncertainty =  ±0.605 Mass of reacted Ag 1.804(g)  ±0.002g Number of reacted Ag 0. 0167 mol % uncertainty =  ±0.166 Constants table: Constant Value Mr(Cu) 63.55 gmol-1 Mr (Ag) 107.87 gmol-1 Calculations Balanced chemical equation between copper and silver: Cu (s) + 2Ag+ (aq) → Cu2+ (aq) + 2Ag (s) Mass of reacted Cu: Uncertainty: m(Cu)= Original weight – final weight m(Cu)= 2.020 – 1.688 =  ±0.001 + 0.001 m(Cu)= 0.332 g =  ±0.002 Number of reacted Cu: Uncertainty: Mr(Cu)=63.55 gmol-1 n(Cu)= 0.00522 mol (3sf) n(Cu) % uncertainty =  ±0.605 Mass of reacted Ag: Uncertainty: m(Ag)= Original weight – final weight m(Ag) = 105.139– 103.335 = 0.001 + 0.001 = 1.804 g =  ±0.002 Number of reacted Ag: Uncertainty: Mr(Ag) = 107.87 gmol-1 n(Ag) = 0.0167 mol (3sf) n(Ag) % uncertainty =  ±0.111 Calculation of Ratio n(Cu) : n(Ag) 0.00522 : 0.0167 total % uncertainty =  ±0.111+0.605 1:3.20 % uncertainty =  ±0.716 1:3 % uncertainty =  ±0.7 Conclusion This reaction is an example of a single replacement redox reaction, as the copper element replaces an element in a compound, silver nitrate producing silver and copper nitrate. During the reaction the silver is reduced as it gains electrons and the copper is oxidized as it loses electrons. Cu (s) + 2AgNO3+ (aq) → Cu(NO3)2 (aq) + 2Ag (s) The balanced equation shows that two moles of silver nitrate react with one mole of copper to produce one mole of copper nitrate and two moles of silver. The molar ratio between Copper and Silver should be 1:2, which you can see by the coefficients in the balanced equation. Therefore my hypothesis is wrong as I have 1 more mole of silver than I should have, therefore my mass of silver was larger than expected or the moles of copper was lower than expected and my mass of copper was lower than expected. Yet our small precision error, or random error attributed to the precision of instruments is  ±0.716%, which indicates that our range excludes the accepted value of 2. Therefore our must have some experimental error. This experimental error can be determined as a percentage through the following formula: % This experimental error is incredibly large. As my systematic error is small, I can determine that experimental error is the cause of the deviation from the accepted value. Evaluation The random error in this experiment was due to the number of operations needed to determine the ratio therefore an increased level of accuracy in the equipment would have increased our ability to determine a more accurate result. Increasing accuracy in equipment would have aided the experiment although the accepted value was still outside the range of random error. There are several possible factors for the large experimental error. The first and most prominent of these reasons is the likelihood of the silver crystals still being saturated with water. Due to the time constraints on the experiment there was limited time to leave the crystals drying in the oven, indicating the possibility of there being water contamination with the silver. This would have increased the measured mass of the silver and therefore increased the value of n(Ag) increasing our ratio. This experiment could be improved if the crystals were left to dry in the oven for a longer time period, which would enable all of the water molecules to evaporate and not contaminate our sample. Another possibility as that during the decanting some crystals were removed from the beaker. This would have decreased the mass of silver, thus decreased the n(Ag) decreasing our ratio. As our ratio was larger than accepted value it is unlikely that this played a significant part in the experimental error of my experiment. To ensure that this would not effect a future experiment I would use a filtration system using filter paper instead of using a decanting method. Experimental error could also have been generated through having an incorrect copper measurement. An incorrect copper measurement could have been caused by copper flecks flaking off the wire into the solution and then being decanted out, though our method did try to remove this possibility by adding more silver nitrate it is still a possibility. This would have meant that we calculated less moles of copper than actually reacted. To ensure that this would not effect our results we should have left the extra silver nitrate for longer to allow it too react with any left over copper flecks.

The Ethics Surrounding Nuclear Energy Politics Essay

The Ethics Surrounding Nuclear Energy Politics Essay Electricity plays an increasingly important role in our everyday lives. Heating our homes, powering our electronics, and keeping our cities running requires a tremendous amount of electricity. The United States rising demand in electricity paired with their stringent environmental standards have put energy generation efforts in a tight spot. Coal and natural gas energy generation accounted for nearly sixty-eight percent of all electrical transmission in 2012. In contrast, only nineteen percent came from nuclear sources down a third of a percent from 2011 (eia.gov/electricity). I will prove that nuclear generation is a safe, clean, and efficient source of energy with the ethical theories of Kant, Rawls, and Act Utilitarianism and back it up with credible data. A little background is needed on the subject to fully understand the situation. In 1789, Martin Klaproth discovered the element Uranium, lighting the path towards nuclear generation. For 150 years there was no news on the front of nuclear generation. In 1939, Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassman demonstrated that nuclear fission would give off incredible amounts of energy. In the future, it will be shown that this energy could be used in great or terrible ways. By 1941, the MAUD Committee, comprised of a group of respected scientists, published two important summaries. They were titled: Use of Uranium as a Source of Power and Use of Uranium for a Bomb (world-nuclear.org). At the time, a stronger focus was put on the second due to the World War II efforts around the world. In America, interest in the second paper and the creation of the Manhattan Project took place after the events at Pearl Harbor. The Manhattan Project was a government funded project in which scientists took on the task of enrich Uranium into the isotope U-235. In addition to the uses it has for war, it was noted that the isotope could also be used in peaceful ways. In August of 1945, the efforts of the Manhattan Project finally came to fruition. A nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. With World War II effectively over, attention was now directed on the first paper published by the MAUD Committee, Use of Uranium as a Power Source. Utilizing the efforts of the Manhattan Project, America would have a head start developing a process of using the heat created by nuclear fission as a source of power. By 1951, the first prototype of a nuclear reactor was revealed (world-nuclear.org). Although this prototype only produced a small amount of electricity, it demonstrated the potential that was there. In 1953, Eisenhower backed this work with his Atoms for Peace program. This program rerouted funding from nuclear weapons to nuclear power (world-nuclear.org). Once into the 1960s, the technology was ready to be used commercially. Some of the nuclear reactors designed by General Electric and Westinghouse were in use until the 1990s (world-nuclear.org). The United States has had a constant sixteen to nineteen percent of electrical generation due to nuclear sources since then. During this time, there has been less of an interest in expanding and building new nuclear power plants. Even though there has been improvements made to the design of power plants, there has been no new demand to expand upon the already in place infrastructure. China has overtaken the United States in nuclear energy with plans to expand its nuclear output six times what it is by 2020 (world-nuclear.org). There are other places around the world investing in nuclear energy, including India, Japan, and South Korea. The question we have to ask ourselves is when the subject of nuclear energy comes up is: Can the research and development of nuclear energy sources be done while maintain an upholding the safety of the people around them? If not, is it then ethically correct to continue even with all the energy it breaks to the numerous communities? I will answer these questions and back it up with the data I have found. I first decided to run these questions through Kants ethical theory. When using the formula of the universal law of nature a generalized maxim can be made: One shall utilize and develop for an energy source if, and only if, it does not harm the people in the surrounding area and it is beneficial to the nation. To defend this maxim, one would have to know how a nuclear power plant affects the area it is utilized. In terms of Act Utilitarianism, nuclear power generation would have to have a greater net benefit to be considered ethical. To determine this, we must first analyze the reliability and safety of nuclear energy. Reliable and safe energy is in high demand nowadays and recently much attention has been put on the environmentally friendliness of the generation of this energy. CO2, or carbon dioxide, emissions have become known as a highly recognized contributor to global warming and have help put the spotlight on safe energy generation. There have only been few noteworthy disasters throughout nuclear powers history. Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima are some of these noteworthy disasters. When mishandled, nuclear power can be incredibly dangerous. In an article written by Head and Hall, compares the risk of radioactive waste or a critical failure of a plant to that of getting struck by lightning. With arduous industry regulation the chance of these failures happening is insignificant. Since the industry is relatively new, it has been more heavily regulated with every failure that occurs. During the Three Mile Island critical failure of 1974, an irregular amount of radioactive gas was released. The generating unit was also effectively destroyed. Contrary to what most people thought, there were no deaths, injuries, or adverse health effects cause by the failure (world-nuclear.org). Although this failure resulted in no adverse effects, it did put pressure on nuclear power in the United States. It is important to analyze the impact on the environment from the CO2 emissions due to nuclear power generation. In 2011, there were nearly 2.3 million-thousand metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions due to electrical generation plants (eia.gov). For every kilowatt hour of electricity produced, there were 9 to 21 grams of carbon dioxide emissions (world-nuclear.org). There are no emissions that come directly from the nuclear plants or reactors, but from indirect sources such as the mining and transportation of Uranium. Emissions created by nuclear power generation are equal to between 1 and 3 percent of the emissions produced by typical coal burning plants. As you can see, it is much cleaner, in that sense, than the forms of power generation we currently rely on. As clean as nuclear power is in terms of emissions, it does encounter some problems when it comes to waste. The treatment and disposal of nuclear waste is another reason why nuclear power has not been fully accepted in the United States. Inaccurate information about nuclear waste is spread by non-governmental organizations, claims Poletti, a professor and power engineer. All cycles in a nuclear fuel life cycle produce radioactive nuclear waste according to the World Nuclear Association, but can be appropriately and safely dealt with if done correctly. There are three types of radioactive waste in a nuclear life cycle: low, intermediate, and high level waste. All forms of waste can be handled with ease, with the exception of high level waste. This type of waste is harder to take care of and requires a great deal of care since it contains used fuel and the other waste products separated from the fuel. To take care of this waste, it is first stored in a reinforced concrete and steel str ucture. These are then placed in a cooling pond. After staying there for five years it is then transported to a multiple barrier geological disposal (world-nuclear.org). One of these sites is typically located in a hollowed out mountain-like structure. These regulations show that waste from all nuclear power plants can be taken care of in a safe manner with little to no risk to the general public and environment. Nuclear waste also accounts for less than one percent of total industrial toxic waste (world-nuclear.org). By analyzing this data, we have found that some aspects of each ethical theory can be satisfied. The other factor we have to consider is if the development of nuclear power facilities should be prioritized over traditional sources of energy generation. Nuclear power was responsible for almost ten percent of the United States total electrical capacity (Existing Capacity by Energy Source, 2011). The supply of electricity generated by nuclear power plants accounted for nearly twenty percent of the total electrical supply (Where Does US Electricity Come From?). The difference here is that for all the energy used, twenty percent of it came from nuclear sources while only ten percent of our potential capacity of electricity is in nuclear form. The reason for this is that nuclear fission is a continuous process. Once begun, it must continue and can be a source of energy that can constantly be drawn from. Seventy percent of our energy capacity is in the form of coal and natural gas. Of that seventy percent, sixty-five percent of it is used. To generate that much power it takes a total of 6,925 coal and natural gas generation units. For nuclear energy source to generate twenty percent of our consumed energy, it takes 104 units. If nuclear energy were to generate as much as coal and natural gas combined, it would take a total of 338 nuclear generation units. It takes far less nuclear plants and reactors to generate the same amount of energy, with a fraction of the emissions (world-nuclear). Many of the nuclear reactors were built in the 1960s and 70s. At this time, many of the generators were generating 250 megawatts. During this time many of the nuclear reactors began to brown out, or improve their technology and efficiency while retiring more units than you are producing. The increase in efficiency can be seen across Asia and Europe. Both Japan and France began replacing many of their nuclear reactors in the early 2000s, with new ones as large as 1,650 megawatts (world-nuclear.org). In the last 50 years, the output of nuclear reactors has increased by nearly 7 times. Many of the reactors in the United States have not been improved upon and continue to operate with a lower output than they should be. The Energy Policy Act, enacted in 2005, presented incentives to the industry for building next-generation nuclear reactors. The technology for nuclear reactors and plants has been advancing ever since it was created. Due to upgrades in technology and a growing demand for energy in the 1980s, the load capacity and output grew tremendously. This can be seen even into today. Research is constantly being done to improve upon this technology. Alternatives to uranium are being researched, a second burning technique to get rid of the nuclear waste is being researched, and much more. An example of this can be seen with Thorium research (world-nuclear.org). I personally believe that the United States should invest more into the development of more nuclear reactors and plants. There is an ample amount of data supporting this claim. It is very safe for the environment and the people surrounding the plant and it is also more efficient and eco-friendly than our current alternatives. The question I ask is: Can the research and development of nuclear energy sources be done while maintain an upholding the safety of the people around them? If not, is it then ethically correct to continue even with all the energy it breaks to the numerous communities? I choose to use the ethical theories of Kant and Act Utilitarianism to help answer these questions. When using Kants theory, like I stated above, I created the maxim: One shall utilize and develop for an energy source if, and only if, it does not harm the people in the surrounding area and it is beneficial to the nation. Defending this maxim is fairly easy. As we found out above, nuclear energy is far less harmful to the Earth and people in the surrounding area since it has much lower CO2 emissions and its waste can be stored in such a way that does no harm. After knowing this information, it is easy to see that one would want to research, develop, and utilize for nuclear energy since it defends the maxim. When using Kants Formula of Humanity, I believe it is fairly easy to defend as well. The Formula of Humanity states that when deciding on whether or not to commit an action that you shall only commit that action if you use people as an ends and not as means to your end. When it comes to this, I assume that the end is getting the energy from the nuclear plants to the nation. In the end, the people are the ones benefitting, and are not being used to achieve your goal. Using Act Utilitarianism, a similar result is produced. We can split each consequence of developing and utilizing nuclear power into the two categories of hedons and miserons. Hedons being for the development and utilization and miserons being against it. For the hedons category, a simple list can be shown: cleaner energy for the nation, more efficient production of energy, minimal harm to the environment, creates jobs for surrounding area, causes less harm to atmosphere than other sources of energy. The miserons category would contain the following: possible failure of nuclear reactor causing harmful material to be spread around surrounding area, creates CO2 emissions. Since the chance of a nuclear reactor failing is fairly minimal and the fact the CO2 emissions caused by nuclear power generation are miniscule compared to the other source of energy generation, I conclude that the development and utilization of nuclear power generation would be the correct action to take. We can see that both theories come to the same conclusion, quite handedly. All the data points to this conclusion as well. I believe that with the outcome of both of these theories that my statement regarding the morality is correct. The development, research, and utilization of nuclear energy sources should be done.