Creative Writing (Story beginnings) Essay

A golden haze encircled the angel’s head and its torso glowed dazzling white against the drab dreary wall behind. â€Å"What’s happe†¦Ã¢â‚¬  she willed her mouth to finish the sentence but it wouldn’t obey so she gave up. She fought too against the uplifting force taking her away from the slightly damp pavement but as every ounce of resistance drained out of her limbs, she went limp and was completely at its mercy. The final thought that crossed her mind before it succumbed to the black cloud that eventually engulfed her was that she recognised this angel. * Elizabeth Anne Johnson – Lizzie to her friends – was a beautiful girl. With endless jet-black locks flowing down her back and striking features, she looked straight off a catwalk. Tonight she was wearing her favourite pale pink mini-dress with manicured nails and dainty heels to match; and with her perfect figure, she was more than able to carry it off. A combination of her stunning looks and the confidence she exuded made every head turn when she walked past – a fact of which she was well aware. Lizzie had spent all night in Brighton’s new trendiest nightspot â€Å"Heaven†. The place was heaving with bodies bouncing to the thundering beats pounding out of the state of the art stereo system. They were puppets dancing to the tune of the headphone-wearing master in the glass booth above. Fluffy white clouds were suspended from the ceiling, in keeping with the paradisiacal theme, and the strobe lighting completed the effect. The drinks were flowing and the atmosphere was electric – just how Lizzie liked it – and as she cast her chocolate-brown eyes around the dance floor a wave of euphoria swept over her. She felt as though she was perched on top of the world. Already tonight, she had received fifteen requests to buy her a drink – a record even by her standards – and had accepted only one. This was one more than usual though. She may have seemed like the happy-go-lucky type but appearances can be deceptive and she was quite the opposite. Lizzie, a seasoned partygoer, was extremely cautious, especially after the letters†¦ Nevertheless, against her better judgement, she was drawn in by the hypnotic charms of this blonde-haired stranger and felt powerless to resist. His eyes were bottomless pools of baby blue and he had a passive, peaceful presence – she trusted him immediately and completely. She began chatting to him and it suddenly dawned on her that she was telling her life story to a total stranger but she pushed the thought out of her mind just as quickly as it had surfaced. Besides with his crisp white shirt, soft voice and wide grin, he seemed harmless enough. Chapter One (2) The sun was playing hide and seek behind the rows of trees as Detective Flynn drove up to the Heaton mansion. He was filled with the giddy excitement of a man about to change his life. He knew how lucky he was to be here and that this case could potentially make or break his career. Flynn was extremely tall and so scrawny one feared he might blow over in a sudden gust of wind. Through the flaming red curtains flopping over his forehead, intense blue eyes peered out inquisitively. As the mansion came into view for the first time he was awestruck. Beyond the wrought iron gates, it stood large and handsome. It was a huge stone structure with countless windows glinting in the afternoon sun and set in acres of sprawling grounds, of which every inch was flawless. The only thing blemishing this perfect watercolour was the black and yellow police tape running the length of the building. The old rusty Ford Escort coughed and spluttered to a halt in the immaculate courtyard and with an almighty heave Flynn managed to force the door open. As he stepped out gravel crunched beneath his feet. He was dressed in a pair of old faded ‘Marks and Sparks’ jeans and looking around, was suddenly painfully aware of how old and faded they really were. He was also regretting the rest of his wardrobe choice. His slightly off-white shirt had a ‘straight out of the laundry basket’ look and his black leather loafers hadn’t seen a dab of polish since†¦well ever. Despite this, John Heaton greeted Flynn with a warm friendly handshake. The two had been at school together and even though their lives had taken extremely different paths, they had remained the best of friends. As he was being introduced to Heaton’s wife Claudia, the detective couldn’t help but notice how much his friend had changed. A nervous and slightly awkward teenager, John Heaton had become a confident self-assured 35 year-old. He now spoke with the eloquence and poise that only a multi-billionaire could. He was dripping with expensive designer labels – a far cry from the washed out tee shirts and baggy jeans of his adolescence. Money oozed out of his every pore. One thing, however, had definitely not changed. Observing the dreamy look that descended upon his face as he gazed at his wife, Flynn could tell his old chum was still a sucker for a pretty girl. And this was one pretty girl! 15 years his junior, actress Claudia Gilbert-Heaton was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty. Yet, as she tentatively extended her perfectly manicured hand to shake his, Detective Flynn took an instant disliking to her. Her broad smile was almost condescending and didn’t reach her eyes, which were icy and distant. â€Å"I’m so pleased to finally meet you,† she said, looking him up and down, staring pointedly at the ink stain on his shirt pocket. The disdainful look in her eyes betrayed her words and he could tell she was quite the opposite. The reason for this, he would soon discover†¦ Chapter One (3) It screamed at me. Its waving arms taunted me as they jerked up and down and the smiley face was more of a sneering face. At that moment all I wanted to do was shatter it into a thousand pieces but it was so far away and my legs were still sound asleep. I picked a rolled up sock up off the floor and with all the energy I could muster, sat up and launched it. It hit its intended destination with satisfying thud and mercifully, the screaming desisted. Putting the bright yellow, â€Å"Little Miss Sunshine† alarm clock so far out of reach had been a pre-emptive strike by mother against my Sunday morning lie-in. Ha, I thought, she’ll have to think of something better than that! I managed the beginnings of a triumphant grin before, exhausted from my exertions, I slumped onto the lumpy mattress and slid back into a peaceful slumber. Ten minutes later I heard the sprightly purposeful pounding that could only be her bounding up the stairs. She burst through the door, wearing her mechanical cheery smile. â€Å"Morning love, sleep well? Why aren’t you up yet, I heard the alarm go off ages ago?†Ã¢â‚¬  she asked, ruffling my unruly brown curls. She then marched over to the window, with unnatural liveliness considering the time and spread the curtains wide. â€Å"Oh Mum, it’s too bright,† I mumbled in complaint, raising an arm to shield my bleary eyes from the light. She ignored me. â€Å"I sometimes think you wouldn’t know an early morning if it came up and bit you on the behind. Now get up, I’m sure you’ve plenty of work to do today and we don’t want you falling behind now do we?† she chirped, practically, it seemed, in unison with the birds outside. â€Å"I need sleep,† I whined, yearning for some pity. It didn’t come. â€Å"You shouldn’t let sleep get in the way of things. Heaven knows I don’t; I can’t. What would happen if I did? Nothing would get done around here – that’s what!† she tutted and continued with renewed vigour, â€Å"Goodness, look at the state of this room! I’m sure you’ve forgotten what colour the carpet is! This is not a positive working environment. How on earth can you get anything done in here?† She asked and without pausing for an answer, delved into the abyss that was my bedroom floor. She began sorting tidying and organising like an unstoppable whirlwind of efficiency, her neat blonde bob bouncing up and down. I merely lounged on the bed and watched on in amazement. Within minutes she had transformed the cluttered chaotic mess into a tidy, orderly bedroom. When she finished, she stood up, brushed some imaginary specks of dirt from her skirt and staring at my sprawled out figure, flashed me the look. Oh no, I groaned inwardly. It was the I-am-so-disappointed-you-didn’t-turn-out-more-like-me look. This look was always followed by a stream of criticisms, of which most, to be fair, were usually quite accurate. I sighed and braced myself for the oncoming tirade. Literary Analysis of Story Beginning (1) When writing my own story opening, I tried to use techniques that would make the reader want to read on. For example, I described the main character’s appearance in detail so that the reader would be able to form a mental picture of her. Just from the first few paragraphs, the reader knows that she is â€Å"a beautiful girl† with â€Å"endless jet black locks† and â€Å"chocolate brown eyes†. The effect of this is to make the reader relate to her with empathy rather than objectivity because they feel they know her. I also tried to show her personality was sweet and kind. Her clothes and shoes are â€Å"powder-pink† and â€Å"dainty†. I also mentioned that she â€Å"seemed like the happy-go-lucky type†. I did this so the reader would like her and be affected by anything that may happen to her. I included her full name â€Å"Elizabeth Anne Johnson† so that the reader would feel like they were getting a complete picture of her. However, for the rest of the opening, I referred to her as Lizzie. This created a bond between the reader and the character because she is â€Å"Lizzie to her friends† so the reader feels like her friend. It is written in the 3rd person narrative so the reader can get a full overview of all the events in the story. The narrative structure deviates. This creates suspense, as there is no development of the action in the first paragraph in the rest of the opening. I purposely created a huge contrast between the eerie and spooky first paragraph and the rest of the opening, which seems like an ordinary night out, by using varying degrees of character and event description. In the first paragraph I did not use any description at all and just used non-specific terms like â€Å"she†. This was to create mystery and apprehension. In sharp contrast to this, I fully described character and events in the rest of the story. I began with telling the reader her full name so they felt they were being formally introduced. I then went on to describe her appearance, clothes what she is doing: â€Å"tonight she was wearing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"She had spent all night†¦Ã¢â‚¬  because I did none of this in the first paragraph. I did however make some links. For example, in the first paragraph, the words â€Å"angel†, â€Å"uplifting† and â€Å"glowed† are used. In the rest of the opening, the words â€Å"Heaven†, â€Å"fluffy white clouds† and â€Å"euphoria† are used. This is to create a link between the two parts of the story and establish an ongoing theme of heaven and the supernatural. I also used a sense of vulnerability to link the two main characters. With the girl in the first paragraph it is obvious. I used carefully chosen vocabulary. â€Å"She willed her mouth†¦it wouldn’t obey† shows that she isn’t even in control of her own body. â€Å"She fought to against the uplifting force†¦was completely at its mercy†, â€Å"her mind†¦succumbed to the black cloud that eventually engulfed her†. Also the word succumbed is quite passive. However the vulnerability in Lizzie’s character is subtler. At the end, she is â€Å"drawn in† by the stranger and feels â€Å"powerless to resist†. This links Lizzie and the girl but also â€Å"the angel† and â€Å"the stranger† because they hold the power in the respective relationships. I think the links make the reader want to read on because it’s like giving them some pieces of a puzzle. They can see some of the picture so they read on so they can find the rest of it. To create further curiosity, the phrase â€Å"especially after the letters†¦Ã¢â‚¬  is not explained at any point in the opening, forcing the reader to form their own opinion. The fact that she was â€Å"extremely cautious especially after the letters† makes the letters seem sinister and let the reader know they were a cause for concern. I used ellipsis at the end so show it is an unfinished thought and an unanswered question. I carefully chose vocabulary to foreshadow dramatic events. For example, ‘on top of the world’ is a well-known phrase, which means in a position of great happiness or success. However I used the phrase â€Å"perched on top of the world† in my story opening. The word perched suggests instability and precariousness so implies that her happiness may be short lived. I also used the progression of time to create effect. The story begins with the girl trying to speak and then finally collapsing â€Å"†¦she willed her mouth to finish the sentence but it wouldn’t obey†¦succumbed to the black cloud that was threatening to engulf her† and then goes to a lively vibrant scene. I did this so the scene would seem like a flashback or a dream – as we know the main character is unconscious. The strobe lighting in the scene adds to the dream-like quality. I tried to create an image of the setting (the club) being beautiful and pure. I did this by calling it â€Å"heaven† and using description like â€Å"fluffy white clouds†. I then used words like â€Å"heaving with bodies† â€Å"thundering beats† and â€Å"pounding† when describing the people and what they are doing to create a contrast. I did this to imply that clubbing itself is innocent enough but the people make it dangerous. I used alliteration in several places for effect. â€Å"†¦drab dreary wall† emphasises how dull and grey the wall in contrast â€Å"dazzling white† of the angel, to to make it stand out more. In â€Å"bodies all bouncing to the thundering beat†, the ‘b’ sound is repeated to try and mirror the beat of the music. I used the phrases â€Å"bottomless pools of baby blue† and â€Å"passive, peaceful presence† because they are quite soft sounds and I wanted to make the stranger seem calm and therefore contrast with the setting, which is â€Å"electric†. I used a metaphor â€Å"They were puppets dancing to the tune of the headphone-wearing master in the glass booth above† because it emphasises the submissive nature of the clubbers and the idea of a person wielding power over someone else. The issue of power is explored in many different parts of the story. I also used repetition. The word seemed is used at the end the last paragraph. â€Å"She may have seemed like the happy-go-lucky type but appearances can be deceptive and she was quite the opposite† and â€Å"he seemed harmless enough†. This is to suggest that just because the stranger seems harmless he â€Å"may be quite the opposite† and to foreshadow him doing something harmful in the future. I put it in italics both times to add emphasis and draw the reader’s attention to it. In conclusion, I think the techniques I used were effective because there are unanswered questions right at the beginning, which are never answered and this appeals the curiosity of the reader, making them want to read on.

Into the Dark

Into the Dark A tunnel of light paraded across the ceiling of the dark room then widened as the painted wooden door creaked open. A pitch-colored shadow briskly swept across the Invading gleam then without a moments hesitation disappeared Into the swallowing blackness of the small room. A small girl asleep In her princess pink canopy bed was awoken by the loud sound of heavy breathing. The dog like pant sent a furious chill down her spine, slowly streaking throughout her bones Like tiny pins and needles. Her heart pounded with the heavy beat of a base drum.As she looked up her dark eyes filled with fear. She slammed her eyes shut convinced that It was her Imagination and burled her face into her fluffy, soft, cased pillow, determined to shut out the constant nagging of a disembodied voice. Harshly whispering,it said, â€Å"Come with me, come with me Elena,† The voice retreated to the back of her mind. â€Å"l mean you no harm. † She slowly opened her dry mouth to say so mething but the words wouldn't come out. â€Å"The clock has almost run out† whispered the snake like voice. â€Å"Just jump off the bed, I'm in your head but I won't hurt you. â€Å"Yeah right! Yelled Elena, â€Å"l should Just Jump off my bed for no reason! † â€Å"Just jump,† said the now soothing voice of someone else. Elena knew it was a trick but before she could resist she closed her eyes shut and Jumped. Instead of hitting the floor she kept falling. She snapped her eyes open and didn't quite process what she saw. Darkness rushed past her then opened into a new scene. Bright rays of glittering light streamed through the air coming from an unknown source. Dark grey rock pillars protruded from thin air in unruly shapes and formations.Elena didn't know whether to be scared or in awe of the beauty. Welcome to my world† whispered the voice In a hushed tone â€Å"Oh goody. † said Elena In her most sarcastic voice,'The snake Is back! † Her voice cracked on the last word for she was still in shock. Frustrated about the embarrassing stutter, she tried to run but found herself moving faster than anyone could sprint. She was flying. A robin's egg blue cloud burst out from behind one of the stone pillars causing Elena to to a double back In shock of TLS brightness and vibrancy.When she looked closer she saw that the cloud was not in fact a weird looking, unusually colored luster of evaporated water, but a giant wave of beautiful blue settlers jays. One bird landed on her. It opened up its mouth. Instead of letting out the beautiful song that she was expecting, it started screeching, â€Å"BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP†. The dark room then widened as the painted wooden door creaked open. A pitch- colored shadow briskly swept across the invading gleam then without a moments hesitation disappeared into the swallowing blackness of the small room. The lights flicked on and her mom said â€Å"Get out of bed you're going to miss th e bus! â€Å"

Benefits of Monopoly for the Stakeholders Essay

Benefits of Monopoly for the Stakeholders - Essay Example Monopoly is a market structure where a firm controls the industry in regards to output and prices and there are no close substitutes to the products. Monopolistic competition is a market structure where there are many buyers and sellers who trade in a range of prices. This is because the sellers can differentiate their offers to different customers (Orbanes, 2007). Monopoly is not the best market structure to be considered in the current world of business.A monopoly has different benefits to the stakeholders such as the government, consumers, producers and businesses as a whole. Monopoly benefits to the producers and businesses are that it increases normal profits to abnormal profits. A monopoly produces at a lower output and sells at high prices. This reduces the marginal cost of the producer which increases the profits to supernormal profits. The businesses also benefit from a monopoly in that they produce at large scale which leads to economies of scale. The economies of scale wil l lead to a reduction in average cost, which will lead to, increase in profits. The economies of scale have potential gain in welfare to the producer. The large scale production will reduce the firm’s costs, which will result, to benefits in the long run. The shareholders also benefit from monopoly through receiving dividends, which result from, supernormal profits. The firm benefit in terms of control meaning the firm controls the entire market which means it is the sole decision maker in the industry. The firm benefit for being the dominant one in the industry in that it decides on the prices of the products. The firms in the industry are price takers (Robinson, 1943).

Week 4 assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Week 4 - Assignment Example It mainly focuses on the type of work they undertake, where they get finances and the target community. The united African transition is one community organization that has a focus on African Americans. The target community for this organization is quite different from the habitat for humanity and communities in schools. The habitat for humanity has a focus on any member of the society who cannot afford a home. Communities in schools, on the other hand, focus on at-risk school going children. It is to this respect that the united African organization does not solely relate the whole community. This is a key difference from the other organizations, which are not specific to other members of a society (Marshall et. al., 2007). The habitat for humanity organization, for example, avails cheap, non-profit mortgages to the disadvantaged members of society. This means that their focus is across the board. The communities in schools also do not have a direct focus on a particular school going children. Community organizations mostly have the non-for profit system in terms of their finances. Similarly, the habitat for humanity, community in schools and the united African organization share the same system. The united African organization accepts donations and sponsorships to help the needy African American community. In terms of their workforce, they use volunteers from the local communities. In this sense, they provide jobs for the locals. This is a similar strategy applied by communities in schools. They focus on volunteers and community partners. This helps them become very cost effective. The habitat for humanity, as a non-for-profit organization, acts a center where individuals interact with the aim of viewing the world as a common habitat for humanity. It is this respect that they gather donations and grants to help the disadvantaged community members. Each community organization has a target society.

Legal implications of adverse utilization review determinations by Essay

Legal implications of adverse utilization review determinations by health insurance companies - Essay Example Adverse utilization review determination is an important consideration in health related issues for the people of the United States of America.Health insurance companies of America deal this issue and help people obtaining their health insurance benefits..It is necessary to add that adverse determination of medical necessity is experimental or investigational in nature. The necessity of health insurance companies as well as the adverse utilization review by them is getting momentum position in the recent days."The Department of Insurance (Department) is required to establish and maintain a process for annual certification of independent review organizations and to maintain a list of certified independent review organizations to be used by HMOs.""The insurance department has certified a number of Independent Review Organizations to conduct the reviews. Again, the department has also filed a proposed interim rule regarding external review which was supposed to be effective immediately (Rogers, 2000)ii".States have undertaken efforts to frame legislative instruments and give them into effect with a view to affording people the benefits of health insurance. The state of Indiana has established and long been maintaining an external grievance procedure for resolving the resolution of grievances regarding adverse utilization review determinations. In 2000, the New Hampshire legislature passed a legislation empowering the establishment of an independent external consumer appeal process to review adverse utilization review determinations which are supposed to.... are needed to be clarified. It will also help in drawing a better assessment on this intended paper. Final adverse determination indicates the meaning that an adverse determination has been upheld by a utilization review agent in regard to the issue of a health care service following a standard appeal, or corresponds to a matter where section 4904 of the insurance law is applicable. More categorically speaking, Adverse determination means a sort of determination by health carrier or its designee utilization review entity which meant a requested admission, availability of care, continuous stay or other health care service, as well as supply of drugs which is covered under the terms of the covered person's health benefit plan. Utilization review includes a set of formal techniques designed to monitor the use of or evaluate the clinical necessity, its effectiveness, health care services, health care procedures etc. Material affiliation means where there is a substantial relationship bet ween physician-patient relationships, partnership relationship or employment relationship. Clinical peer reviewer includes the persons who have deserving competences to conduct their activities in medical profession or equal to those of carriers of health care services. Retrospective adverse utilization means the consideration of the claim of health service when the medical treatment has already been taken and whether the treatment should be on continuous stay. Medical Necessity Undeniably, as the companies as well as the HMOs pay claims based upon the concept of The insurance companies consider the claims if people attempt to get pre-certification where a proposed health treatment is to be taken by the patients or insurer of

Ethics and Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethics and Business - Essay Example Human induced climate change creates many ethical issues, which remains unaddressed. Although a few individual are responsible of inducing climate change, even those not involved in inducing it feel the effects of climate change across the globe. Climate change is an ethical issue since it entails exploitation of the environment. Additionally, adverse changes in climate are expected to cause disruptions in economic activities in the countries affected. Business organizations are thus supposed to take corporate social responsibility while conducting their activities. Climate change is responsible of causing health problems since it results in pollution. In accordance to business ethics, companies involved in causing pollution are supposed to undertake actions aimed at reducing climate change. The issue of social justice arises because different countries are responsible for differing levels of emission, which requires that the responsibility be divided unequally. This paper focuses on climate change as an ethical issue. The paper will discuss how climate change violates deontological and social justice principles. Additionally, the possible solution to climate change will be discusses from the perspective of the different moral frameworks. How Climate Change Violates Deontology Principles Deontology principles, classify actions as moral or immoral depending on whether the companies involved follow their duties. Climate change violates deontological principles because it threatens the life of both current and future generations. Companies are considered immoral if they contribute to climate change without adhering to their moral duties. Additionally, activities that contribute to climate change are morally wrong since they do not respect the rights of all humans. Causing climate change entails impinging upon the right of others. Companies that contribute in causing climate change violate deontological principles (Gardiner, et al., 2010). To reduce climate change, businesses and other corporates are supposed to work together with their governments towards reducing activities that cause climate change or finding ways to reduce the effects of climate. According deontology principles it is unethical for companies to block the government from implementing activities aimed at reducing climate change. According to views by deontologists, it is crucial that companies take responsibility of their action to avoid causing injuries to other institutions and individuals (Gardiner, et al., 2010). Emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which are responsible for climate change, causes indirect injuries to persons. Since the problems related to climate change affect vulnerable individuals or groups, then all activities resulting in emission of the gases are ethically wrong and violate deontological principle. Companies contributing to climate change can be viewed as victimizing vulnerable individuals, which is morally bad and wrong (Gardiner , et al., 2010). Solutions in Accordance with Deontological Framework Different countries contribute differently towards climate change. This is because they emit varying amongst of greenhouse gases. Deontology framework is an appropriate way of addressing the issue of climate change. Deontology principles require that companies share the burden and costs of climate change. However, it would be unfair for all companies or countries to share the burden equally. International negotiation should thus be based on the

Innovation in organizational structure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Innovation in organizational structure - Essay Example It also reflects similarities with other aspects of Lewin's general model of change. For example, the planning stage can be described as a period of unfreezing, or problem awareness, the action stage as a period of changing or trying out new forms of behavior in an attempt to understand and cope with the system's problems and the results stage as a period of refreezing, in which newer forms of behaviors are tried out on the job and, if successful and reinforcing, become a part of the system's problem-solving behavior. Action research is generally problem centered, client centered, and action oriented. In this process data are not simply used to compile a written report but they are actually fed back in open joint sessions, and the client and the change agent work jointly for identifying and ranking specific problems, for devising methods of finding their real causes, and to develop plans for coping with them practically. Scientific method that includes data gathering, forming hypothe ses, testing hypotheses, and measuring results is an integral part of this process. Action research also sets in motion a long-range, cyclical, self-correcting mechanism for maintaining and enhancing the effectiveness of the client's system by leaving the system with practical and useful tools for introducinbg changes. (Lewin, 1946) It can be described as an problem-solving process involving four statges. It is generally used in quality control.

Place Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Place - Essay Example I think just about everyone would agree that the beach is a relaxing place to be. The water rolls up endlessly, reminding us that no matter what we do, it really doesn’t matter all that much. The sound of the waves tends to wash out the sounds of endless worries we all have as we go through our days – did I do my laundry, what time is my next class, I’ve got to study for my final! All that gets buried under the sands that will pile up over your feet as you stand at the edge of the icy cold water and watch the unchanging horizon. Birds circle overhead in their endless dance for survival and all you can do is watch them and wonder at the aerobatic feats they perform. Or maybe you watch the tiny sandpipers as they run back and forth in the wake of the waves, moving their little legs so fast they are but a blur, and you think how happy you are to just be standing still. The winter beach is cold, of course, but this offers its own form of comfort. It begins with your clothing, which is layered and bulky, soft and warm against your skin. This makes a strong contrast to the cold of the water and the chill of the wet wind coming off the sea, which makes you notice it all the more. While the wind may have come from far away, you can be comforted in knowing either that you are close to home or that you have the freedom to explore new places just as the wind does. To keep from getting too cold, you can build a bonfire, or maybe just a small campfire. Staring into the flames in a place where wind, water, earth and fire are all brought together puts you in touch with the elements and again, the petty concerns of daily life drop away. If anyone else is on the beach, they are likely to come over and say hi and share the warmth of your fire with you, adding another kind of warmth to the experience. The last element of the winter beach that can’t be matched in the summer is the release

HRD 495 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

HRD 495 - Essay Example Fourth is being a capacity builder in order to do culture and capability audits of the organization. Fifth is being a strategic positioner which involves constructing HR reactions that are in line with the external requirements (Jackson, Schuler & Werner, 2012). With the changes in the nature of business, there has been a refocusing and expanding in HR roles. In order to meet the expectations of organizations, senior HR leaders have to react by recognizing and acquiring the competencies necessary for their dynamic functions. The major additional competencies required by senior HR leaders are leading change, strategic thinking and effective communication. Strategic human resource management is formulated to aid companies in meeting the various needs of their employees while also promoting company goals. SHRM is a component that is valuable in ensuring organizational success as it helps in attaining a competitive edge as pertains to flexibility, cost and quality. It is therefore necessary for SHRM to include the individuals that the organization is involved in business with. It is through them that sustainability can be attained by creating values that could not be implemented by indirect and direct competitors. Organizational success could also be attained by continuous investment by an organization in its image or reputation, emphasizing on the need for sound HR practices and policies and adjusting them with the business strategies through SHRM. Therefore, SHRM is not merely a strategy that is centered on the organization’s human aspect but is a holistic approach which builds on the human asset as value-creating factors (Ivan cevich, 2010). It is an employer’s aim to hire the best person for a particular job irrespective of their age. There have been a lot of misconceptions regarding hiring older workers pertaining to productivity, health, up-skilling, and blocking

Child Abuse in American Samoa Essay Example for Free

Child Abuse in American Samoa Essay Child abuse and neglect good novel can do countless things for its reader. It ignites curiosity, triggers emotions, expands knowledge and encourages life lessons while transporting eager minds to unimaginable places. Active readers are completely encouraged by these vibrations. However, untold tales can occasionally capture the oppressed narratives of others. The silent pleas of vulnerable individuals can tell a memoir of its own. One key issue is that of child abuse, which has the potential to rob children of the happily ever after that they deserve. The World health organization (2013) defines â€Å"child abuse† as a breach of a child’s basic human rights and encompasses a variety of unethical practices that damage the holistic welfare of a child. Al Dosari, Ferwana, Abdulmejeed, Aldossari and Al-Zahrani (2017) add that incompetent parents or caregivers are at fault and should be held accountable for their forceful and or negligent conduct towards a minor in their care, especially when the potential risk or traumatic event that the child was exposed to could have been avoided entirely. Paterson, Fairbairn-Dunlop, Cowley-Malcolm, and Schluter (2007) assert that abusive parenting is an issue that is limitless in scope and transcends every border, including factors such as ethnicity, nationality and generation. Child abuse occurs in various ways, but the result remains the same, serious physical or emotional harm. Physical or sexual abuse may be the most striking types of abuse since they often, unfortunately, leave physical evidence behind. However, physical abuse is commonly encountered among large families. Parents with either a lower level of education or no education at all, abuse children with good health status and with a significant association (Elsaied, Alsehly, 2017). On the other hand, psychological abuse and neglect are serious types of child abuse that are often more subtle and difficult to spot.Types of Child abuse physical A documentary was filmed following Samoan foster children in New Zealand. A scene in the film shows the consequences a boy faces after being caught attempting to run away from his foster home. The consequences he faced was not your typical western punishment. His foster mom did not ground him or send him to his room. Instead, she had every other boy in the foster home brutally beat him for at least two minutes. One key issue here is that of Physical abuse, it has the potential to injure and ultimately damage the growth and development of children. The Canadian Department of Justice (2012), defines child physical abuse as the involvement or the deliberate use of force on a child, that it causes injury to the child or the child may be at risk of injury. The force may include such acts such as smacking, punching, beating, shaking, kicking, biting, burning, shoving, choking, throwing, stabbing, grabbing or leaving a child in an undignified posture for a long period of time. These usually occur when a parent or a person in the position of responsibility, power or trust takes advantage of their child. The injury is considered abuse whether the person intended to hurt the child or not. Some of the physical signs of abuse would have clear warning signs, such as unexplained bruises, welts or cuts. According to Dr. Joseph A Zenel (2008), that if a child has more bruises, fractures, head trauma, or burns that would simply raise the suspicion of physical abuse (as cited in McNamara, 2008).While all children will take a tumble now and then, look for age-inappropriate injuries, injuries that appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt, or a pattern of severe injuries. Emotional/Psychological Sexual OtherPolicyWellbeing/symptomsCountry – what is American Samoan doing about the issue? References Elsaied, H., Alsehly, A. (2017). A study of child physical abuse. The Egyptian Journal of Psychiatry, 38(2), 120. J.N. Fishe (2016). Child Abuse and the Law. Rethinking the CAPTA Amendments. Vand Law Rev 1998;183. Fry, D., McCoy, A., Swales, D. (2012). The Consequences of Maltreatment on Children’s Lives: A Systematic Review of Data From East Asia and Pacific Region. Trauma, Violence Abuse, 13(4), 209-233. doi:10.1177/1524838012455873 Neela Dabir, Mohua Nigudkar. (2007). Child Abuse: Confronting Reality. Economic and Political Weekly, 42(27/28), 2863-2866. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.byuh.idm.oclc.org/stable/4419782 Paterson, J., Fairbairn-Dunlop, P., Esther, T. C., Schluter, P. J. (2007). Maternal childhood parental abuse history and current intimate partner violence: Data from the Pacific islands families study. Violence and Victims, 22(4), 474-88. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.byuh.idm.oclc.org/docview/208556625?accountid=9816 Xiangming Fang, Deborah A. Fry, Derek S. Brown, James A. Mercy, Michael P. Dunne, Alexander R. Butchart, Phaedra S. Corso, Kateryna Maynzyuk, Yuriy Dzhygyr, Yu Chen, Amalee McCoy, Diane M. Swales, The burden of child maltreatment in the East Asia and Pacific region, In Child Abuse Neglect, Volume 42, 2015, Pages 146-162, ISSN 0145-2134, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.02.012

The Effects Of Divorce Children And Young People Essay

The Effects Of Divorce Children And Young People Essay Divorce is always a dreadful experience in a persons life, especially a childs. When parents divorce, children are not always acknowledged during the termination and settlement process. This oversight can lead to problems with the childs perception of day to day life. The impact divorce has on a family is far more noticeable to the children of the family than to the parents. As a child, there are many circumstances or situations that affect a view, opinion, attitude, and/or memory. Children have many daily struggles of their own to cope with, such as peer pressure and learning exactly who they are. Adults and parents sometimes forget what it is like to be a child dealing with some of the childhood pressures that children face, especially in todays society. Many parents do not realize how something like divorce could possibly affect their children as much as it does them. In any case, most children are strongly affected by divorce. Some react and handle the situation differently than others, but all experience some kind of emotional change. Divorce can cause many different emotions to arise that children may be unfamiliar with, and those behaviors may cause some behavioral changes. Feeling angry and sad are some common feelings of children dealing with divorce (Schor, 2004). Children have a hard time comprehending why their mother and father are arguing and cannot figure out why they are deciding to separate. The family needs to try their best to explain to the child why they are separating, while comforting the child as much as possible (Schor, 2004). Much research has been conducted to study the effects of divorce on children. While there are some basic truths these studies reveal, the fact is that each child is unique and may react differently from other children (Sember, p. 9). A child may have certain emotional reactions to separation and divorce, including sadness, embarrassment, concerns about being cared for, regression, maturity, and physical symptoms. It is believed that reactions to a divorce can be similar to the reactions of losing a loved one. According to Pickhardt, There is a fear of rejection: If my parents can stop loving each other, can they stop loving me? There is fear of the future: What will happen to me now? There is fear of abandonment: If my parents can leave each other, they can also leave me. In the face of these uncertainties, a child may regress by acting more immature and dependent in order to receive more attention and caretaking support. The fighting that occurs between parents can cause children to react negatively and they can begin to show aggression towards others. Children can also begin to act up in class and become defiant towards authority, which usually results in their grades dropping. Often children have difficulties learning to cope with their feelings and feel like they are on an emotional rollercoaster (Ford, 2005). Theyre also often stuck between a battle zone and as result can suffer psychological problems. Feelings of hopelessness may take over for many kids because they have no control or input to what is going on in their lives (Ford, 2004). Divorce itself is inevitably an unpleasant situation, but it has been seen that children with siblings tend to cope better than any single child household in most instances, especially in cases where thoughtless parents take the unpleasant route of trying to split up the children in an effort to hurt the other party. Effectively, children with siblings develop best with the divorce, single children trailing behind, with split siblings ultimately taking the worst mental beating out of the lot. The reasons for this may not at first be obvious, but let us take a moment to review the family dynamic itself and just what divorce does to the relationship of siblings. A once intact family is effectively torn in two with the legal action of divorce, children are torn in their views in loving both mother and father, and ultimately they mourn for what is almost literally the death of the family dynamic itself. It is no longer the normal life of mother, father, and children, but now a complicated life split between the children and their parents, possibly further complicated by a step family or the constant tension between mother and father. In this situation a sibling becomes a sort of buffer zone, an emotional barrier between the pain and loss of the divorce and a happy family life. The sibling represents something concrete, a brother or sister that will (or should) remain. An individual who shares in the same pain and can be used as a more than viable coping mechanism, perhaps one of the only truly healthy coping outlets available to a child going through the divorce process. Starkly in the opposite direction one can see the further damage caused when divorcing parents choose to split their off springs like they have their various possessions. Here, the child(ren) need not only cope with the loss of mom or dad, but must also wrestle with the torment of being removed from someone who has been a lifelong companion. Instead of being given a viable outlet in the shape of a brother or sister this child(ren) is removed from most everything he or she has known in one solid legal swoop. Divorce brings about a lot of legal issues, which include child custody, visitation, holiday issues, and child support. There are a few different types of custody arrangements. There is joint custody with visitation, which means that you share custody with the other parent. You are supposed to make all decisions together that may affect the child, and both parents must agree to the visitation schedule. Second, there is sole custody with visitation which is where one parent makes most of the decisions and does not need the other parents approval. Lastly, shared custody is where the childs time is split evenly between both parents. Both parents are responsible for all decisions and neither parent is considered residential. But regardless as to what type of custody agreement is decided, the child(ren) are the one(s) who will be the most affected by this decision. Once a custody agreement is made then the non-custodial parent is granted visitation. Visitation is important so that the child can spend time equally with both parents. This sometimes requires splitting holidays. Holidays are probably the worst part about visitations because children are use to spending the holidays together as a family, but as children age the visitation schedules change to accommodate both the child and the parents. This is simply because an infant shouldnt be expected to adhere to the same schedule as an older child. For example, infants may have a harder time adjusting because it is more important for them to stick to a schedule; frequent and short visits from the other parent is best. Also, sticking to feeding and nap times is important, otherwise, the baby can be extremely cranky. Toddlers have difficulty with separation anxiety from either parent. Transitions should be made gradually as toddlers often display aggression by biting or hitting. Preschool aged children begin to realize that their parents dont live together anymore and start to ask questions and they can also begin another type of visitation schedule, such as weekend visits. Elementary aged children need more time for homework after school and it is important for both parents to help the child stay organized so that they are able to turn in their assignments on time to their teacher. Children from 8-12 are considered tweens and may start to take sides or try to act perfect in hopes that their parents will get back together. It is ok to let them know that nobody is perfect and that nothing can bring you and the other parent back t ogether. You child will have more homework and more friends so it is important to fit this into the schedule as it continues to change through that childs life. Teenagers may experience the worst symptoms from the divorce. They often discredit marriage and refuse to get close to another person in that way or they blame themselves for the separation. In some cases they feel that they had to grow up quickly because they felt the need to assume the role of the other parent. It may also be difficult for teens to stick to a schedule because friends are more important now and they may also have jobs of their own that they are scheduled for. Dating also begins to become a factor in the scheduling conflict. The teen should be able to go out on dates as long as both parents agree, but there also needs to be a restriction on the number of outings so that both parents are able to spend the appropriate amount of time with their son/daughter. You shouldnt expect this to go perfectly, but do offe r the teen to give their input on the situation and try to all come to a compromise. Most days you experience with your child may be good days, so you should enjoy these days while they last because there may come a time when something happens and your child tells you that they hate you and would rather live with the other parent. This is just another part of trying to adjust. If most times are bad then it may be time to readjust your position. You may need to try to change some things including the visitation schedule. Divorce not only affects the child(ren) emotionally but it also plays a major role in many other aspects of their lives. Two of the strongest and most widely held beliefs about the family life today are that marriage should be a lifelong commitment and that parental divorce has serious negative effects on children. These convictions are held with such value that many people are alarmed by the high divorce rate in the United States.   The divorce rate is very high in the United States, where about 50% of all first marriages formed in the early 1990s ended in divorce (U.S. Bureau of the Census 1998).   According to the Heritage Foundation, Each year, over 1 million American children suffer the divorce of their parents and most children will see their parents divorce before they turn 18 (Fagan and Rector, 2000). What are the major impacts being seen in these children? What are the effects on these children?   One area where divorce has a major impact on children is in their academic progress.   In 2002, USA Today did a study that used a government-sponsored database that examined 10,000 adolescents (Crouch. 2002).   This study found that the psychological damage to the child builds before the divorce but dissipated afterwards, but academic progress continues to weaken.   It speculates that these children fall behind academically and then are not able to catch up once this happens.   They lose self-esteem and motivation.   There have been many studies done and the conclusion is the same.   One study found that students from intact families outperform those students from divorced families and have higher grade point averages.   Another one found that teens from single-parent homes are twice as likely to drop out of high school.   I found it interesting that one study found that parental divorce affected female high school students more that it affected male high school stude nts. A second area where divorce has a major impact on children is their housing arrangement.   The level of home ownership among people who have divorced is much lower than those who have married and never divorced.   According to the Census Brief published by the U.S. Department of Commerce in September of 1997, more than a quarter of Americas children now live with one parent.   They did a study with divorced and never-married mothers and found that divorced parents are more educated and less likely to live in rental homes, and are less likely to be poor in comparison to the never-married mothers.   It appears from this study that being a single parent divorcee has a slight advantage over a never-married mother.   This study also showed that four million children live in the homes of their grandparents. The third area where divorce has a major impact on children is the income level of the custodial parent.   Following divorce, custodial parents, mostly mothers, generally have less income than most two-parent families.   One of the ways that lower income may impact children is through disruptions that may result from less money.   Many divorced families change residence, which may result in changing schools, childcare, friends, and other supportive relationships.   In short, less money due to these disruptions may lead to more problems for children because of the stress that change creates. The fourth area where divorce has a major impact on children is the economic losses that it creates.   Studies have shown that custodial mothers often face dramatic economic losses following divorce, leading to feelings of stress that adversely affects parenting. Researchers believe that divorce is disruptive for children largely because the custodial parent faces a significant amount of economic stress in the time period immediately following the divorce (Furstenberg 1990). These economic losses may produce major transition periods for the child like moving, changing schools or living with other household members, which can adversely affects the childs well being. It is important to remember that not all of the effects mentioned in the studies above will be experienced by all children of divorce and those problems that do emerge can be made less intense with further education, nurturing, good communication, and lots of love.   Divorce not only affects the child(ren) emotionally but it takes a toll on the parent- child relationship. In the wake of a divorce, most custodial parents expresses differing degrees of anger, disorder, decreased expectations from their child(ren), and a decline in the aptitude to separate the child(ren)s needs and actions from those of the adults involved. Studies have shown that approximately 15% of children interviewed at the 10 year follow-up point in a 15 year study showed significant effects from taking on the role of holding a custodial parent together psychologically (Eloeff, 2008). Children dealing with divorce are often left with a lot of questions because they are going through something they have never experienced before. It is important to answer every question that might arise in order for the child to better understand what is going on. Change is hard and the fear of the unknown can be difficult for children to handle on their own. Both parents need to try to make this new adjustment period as comfortable for the children as possible (Schor, 2004). Everyones life is impacted by divorce and children often have a hard time adjusting to change. For all too many kids, nonresidential parents eventually will come to play a greatly diminished role in their lives. It doesnt have to be this way, and with sensitivity, planning, and common sense, parents can sidestep many common visitation problems (Neuman, p.272). So therefore, it is up to the parents to help their child(ren) to cope with the divorce and try to prevent this from happening. There are two general cha nnels that can be taken to help the child(ren) deal with the divorce experience. They are parental effort and outside help. During parental effort, it is important to communicate with your child(ren) that you love them and that you dont hate them even if you dont normally do those things, but it is important for your child(ren) to feel reassured. Avoid talking to your child(ren) about the divorce situation or any financial woes that you may be experiencing. It is best for your child(ren) to continue to be neutral to both parents. You should also not use your child(ren) as a messenger to see what the other parent is up to. This can make your child feel stressed and feel like they are betraying their other parent. Also, dont make promises you cant keep. It only disappoints them and causes them not to trust you. Children need to be reassured; just because the marriage is over doesnt mean that they arent a family anymore. Children must be told and told again: Divorce means your parents have lost love for each other and do not want to live together anymore. However, divorce in no way changes our love for you ( Pickhardt, p. 84). Both parents need to try to avoid bad mouthing the other parent in front of the child(ren). This may prevent the child from feeling stressed out about double loyalties. You need to keep a sense of normalcy for your child so that they can feel that their lives have some stability after such a drastic change in their living situations. One of the best ways to help a child feel rooted, protected, and loved, is to have rules (Pickhardt, p. 25). It is important to create the rules together so that the child has the same boundaries at either home and that the other parent doesnt appear to be better because the child has no responsibilities when they stay with them. The parents should keep the lines of communication open with their child(ren) and never stop attempting to make contact with their child(ren). They should also maintain an interest in what is going on with the child(ren); know who theyre hanging out with and how theyre doing in school and extracurricular acti vities. Most children want to make both parents happy, and it is up to the parents to make this an easy task. As for the outside help avenue, this is a route to take when the parental effort is not helping. Counseling and/or an intervention program can help improve matters by being a neutral third party. They help in accomplishing things like, helping children to express their anger, as well as helping the parents to better understand how to appropriately respond to the concerns that the child(ren) may have. Parents should consider seeking professional help when their child is having problems accepting reality about the divorce or seem to be going through some serious behavioral changes. Meeting with a psychiatrist or a counselor who specializes in divorce can be very beneficial for everyone involved. It doesnt matter which route is used to help them get through the divorce process as long as the child(ren)s best interest is kept as the top priority during and after the divorce. All in all, children can be severely traumatized by divorce. Many of the effects felt can be long lasting or some may go away within a few weeks. If the divorce is nasty or is prolonged due to a custody battle, then the effects can last a lifetime. Children face many issues when going through a divorce. There are issues with self-esteem, loss of sense of security, the sleeper effect, and it even has an effect on birthdays and holidays. These problems can last forever in a child, even into adulthood. When children have to go through a divorce, they deal with issues regarding their self-esteem. They may feel like they caused the divorce themselves. The child(ren) may also feel like they did something wrong to where mommy or daddy doesnt want to be with them anymore. If these issues are not addressed early on, they can be long lasting and when developing, the older child will have low self-esteem. This can lead to poor grades in school, little to no friends, using drugs, and trouble in the streets. Another issue children deal with when going through a divorce is in the area of security. The child(ren) may develop fears that both parents will abandon him or her. There may also be fears about what is to come. What will happen from here? Where does the child(ren) end up? These are thoughts about security that may come during a divorce. In addition, the absence of one of their parents can make the child(ren) feel extremely lonely. This can also last a lifetime if not dealt with early on. It can lead to the child(ren) growing up feeling scared and worried. He or she may have relationship problems and may not be able to trust anyone and can also lead to depression. Some studies suggest that there is a sleeper effect. This is the idea that a child that goes through a divorce and recovers rather quickly. Then, because of denied feelings at the subconscious level, they will have a resurgence of fear, anger, guilt, and anxiety which doesnt kick in until well into adulthood. These feelings tend to arise when a young adult is attempting to make important life decisions, such as marriage. Another effect divorce has on children is dealing with holidays and birthdays. This will last a lifetime, because birthdays and holidays will have to be split, if this is the agreement. If there is time-sharing in place, or an agreement has been made, the child may have to spend every other birthday with the mother and father. With holidays, there may be time-sharing involved, where the child spends half the holidays with the father, and the other half with the mother. This can certainly last into adulthood, because the family will not be together, and there may have to be time split between the two parents homes. Some children are affected more by divorce than others. However, all children will be affected by a divorce no matter what. The things that parents do and dont do will greatly impact exactly how much a child is affected by the divorce. In addition, the childs gender, age, psychological health, and maturity will also all affect how a divorce impacts a child. Dealing with the divorce as best as possible will help lessen the effects on a child and make it easier to get through. Only time will tell how much it has actually affected the particular child in a particular circumstance. Of course, as we all know, divorce is a painful process for everyone involved; the legal act of breaking apart a family is taxing on both the heart and mind, but we see this most in children. Divorce rates are high and our children are suffering. Everyone should take their childrens feelings into consideration when going through a divorce because the childs life is impacted as well. It is very important that parents help their children adjust to all the changes going on in their life and address any behavioral or psychological problems the moment they arise.

Dwight D Eisenhower Essay -- essays research papers

He was born in a small town called Deniso in western Texas in the year 1890 (Hargrove 22).Then he and his family moved to a railroad town called Abilene in the state of Kansas. Here Dwight Eisenhower grew upwith his 13 other family members. (Hargrove 19). Dwight David Eisenhower is one of Americas greatest heroes with his military career to his two terms as President of the United States. Dwight Eisenhower had many accomplishments to and from West Point through World War One. Ike Eisenhower wanted to serve his country in any way he could. He found the idea of being a sailor in the U.S Navy intriguing, but when he later applied for entering he found that he was too old at the age of 20. Then after studying hard Eisenhower was accepted atthe West Point Military Academy with the help of a U.S senator (Hargrove33). At college Ike showed himself as a hero on the Army Football team asan end (Hargrove 34). He also found an easier procedure for working advanced calculus (Hargrove 36). At the end of his college career in 1915,Eisenhower graduated number 61 out of a class of 164 (Hargrove 38). Eisenhower's military journey began during World War One. When he graduated college World War One was still raging through Europe. Instead of fighting in the infantry overseas Eisenhower was to stay home on U.Sbases (Hargrove 41). After being promoted to a Lieutenant Colonel, Eisenhower was sent to Camp Colt to train soldiers about tanks (Hargrove42). Then in the year 1933 he became one of the ...

The Yellow Wallpaper -- essays research papers

The Yellow Wallpaper: In the 19th century, mental illness was an uncommon issue to be discussed. The public would treat the illness only by avoiding the matter and forcing the sick to feel helpless. At that time, the medical profession had not yet distinguished between diseases of the mind and diseases of the brain. Neurologists such as Dr. Silas Mitchell treated the problems that would now be treated by psychiatrists, such as depression. The most accepted cure was Mitchell's â€Å"Rest Cure,† which required complete isolation from family and friends. It forbid any type of mental or physical energy, and required total bed rest. The harsh results of the â€Å"Rest Cure† are easily seen in the story titled â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in 1891. The main character was given the â€Å"Rest Cure† and soon began to descend deeper into the traps of insanity. Before fully understanding mental illnesses her actions would be linked to â€Å"hysteriaâ₠¬ . Hysteria was the term given to women with signs of depression. (Showalter, p. 127) Embedded largely in women's discouraged ambitions and limited opportunities, a reaction of supposed hysteria cases occurred during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Due to rise in this type of mental illness, the period became known as the â€Å"Golden Age of Hysteria.† Authorities of the time defined the problem in terms of femininity and female sexuality. Coming from the Greek term hysteron, meaning womb, hysteria was known as a strictly female illness that was caused by women's delicate constitutions and emotionality. Many doctors believed the uterus caused it, which was why they concluded that men could not become hysterical. (Showalter, p. 129) Hysteria was assumed a largely self-created or imagined illness. People did not generally take it, or mental illness seriously. Though hysteria became a focal point of study by physicians throughout the world. Symptoms included fainting, vomiting, choking, sobbing, paralysis, and temperamental fits. Reflecting the belief that women were prone to hysteria because they were less rational and stable than men. Dr. Edward Tilt, in a typical Victorian textbook definition, wrote: â€Å"mutability is a characteristic of hysteria, because it is characteristic of women† (Showalter, p. 129). As more studies were conducted, however, some doctors began to link hysteria with restricted activity and sexual ... ...ut you.† Her response is â€Å"I don’t weigh a bit more.† She proves him wrong and he avoids the response by saying â€Å"But now let’s improve the shining hours by going to sleep, and talk in the morning.† She overlooks his true intentions and focuses back on the wallpaper. She almost revels to herself and John that the â€Å"Rest Cure† isn’t working as expected. and actually show that he doesn’t care. â€Å" begins to interpet the yellow wallpaper, as having many life like similarity tries to resorts to reasoning with herself so that she may feel husband keeping he away from any outside world her minds wanders into insanity. Her husband doesn’t know any better than to restrain her from exerting energy. He feels that he must keep her in bed to better her health. This in the end is the reason she goes insane. He must feel a bit ashamed being a doctor and not knowing of any other cure to The signs of metal illness are evident when the main character resorts to ripping at the wallpaper to release some built up anxiety. Work Cited Page Rena Korb An overview of The Yellow Wallpaper, in Exploring Short Stories, Gale Research, 1998. Showalter, Elaine. The Female Malady. New York: Random House, 1985. The Yellow Wallpaper -- essays research papers The Yellow Wallpaper: In the 19th century, mental illness was an uncommon issue to be discussed. The public would treat the illness only by avoiding the matter and forcing the sick to feel helpless. At that time, the medical profession had not yet distinguished between diseases of the mind and diseases of the brain. Neurologists such as Dr. Silas Mitchell treated the problems that would now be treated by psychiatrists, such as depression. The most accepted cure was Mitchell's â€Å"Rest Cure,† which required complete isolation from family and friends. It forbid any type of mental or physical energy, and required total bed rest. The harsh results of the â€Å"Rest Cure† are easily seen in the story titled â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in 1891. The main character was given the â€Å"Rest Cure† and soon began to descend deeper into the traps of insanity. Before fully understanding mental illnesses her actions would be linked to â€Å"hysteriaâ₠¬ . Hysteria was the term given to women with signs of depression. (Showalter, p. 127) Embedded largely in women's discouraged ambitions and limited opportunities, a reaction of supposed hysteria cases occurred during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Due to rise in this type of mental illness, the period became known as the â€Å"Golden Age of Hysteria.† Authorities of the time defined the problem in terms of femininity and female sexuality. Coming from the Greek term hysteron, meaning womb, hysteria was known as a strictly female illness that was caused by women's delicate constitutions and emotionality. Many doctors believed the uterus caused it, which was why they concluded that men could not become hysterical. (Showalter, p. 129) Hysteria was assumed a largely self-created or imagined illness. People did not generally take it, or mental illness seriously. Though hysteria became a focal point of study by physicians throughout the world. Symptoms included fainting, vomiting, choking, sobbing, paralysis, and temperamental fits. Reflecting the belief that women were prone to hysteria because they were less rational and stable than men. Dr. Edward Tilt, in a typical Victorian textbook definition, wrote: â€Å"mutability is a characteristic of hysteria, because it is characteristic of women† (Showalter, p. 129). As more studies were conducted, however, some doctors began to link hysteria with restricted activity and sexual ... ...ut you.† Her response is â€Å"I don’t weigh a bit more.† She proves him wrong and he avoids the response by saying â€Å"But now let’s improve the shining hours by going to sleep, and talk in the morning.† She overlooks his true intentions and focuses back on the wallpaper. She almost revels to herself and John that the â€Å"Rest Cure† isn’t working as expected. and actually show that he doesn’t care. â€Å" begins to interpet the yellow wallpaper, as having many life like similarity tries to resorts to reasoning with herself so that she may feel husband keeping he away from any outside world her minds wanders into insanity. Her husband doesn’t know any better than to restrain her from exerting energy. He feels that he must keep her in bed to better her health. This in the end is the reason she goes insane. He must feel a bit ashamed being a doctor and not knowing of any other cure to The signs of metal illness are evident when the main character resorts to ripping at the wallpaper to release some built up anxiety. Work Cited Page Rena Korb An overview of The Yellow Wallpaper, in Exploring Short Stories, Gale Research, 1998. Showalter, Elaine. The Female Malady. New York: Random House, 1985.

The Holocaust: World War Two Essay -- Socialist Nazi Germany Hitler

The Holocaust: World War II The Nazis and their collaborators accounted for the execution of over six million Jews in World War II. In 1933 the twenty one countries that Germany would come to occupy as a result of the war, were occupied by nine million Jews. By 1945 two out of three of these Jews were heartlessly executed. Adding to these victims, Hitler targeted social outcasts such as homosexuals, the disabled, and Gypsies. Poles and Slavs were targeted for their labor, and Soviets faced death by the millions as prisoners of war. Still more, political and religious leaders were exterminated because they were seen as threats. The Holocaust was an example of the terror felt during the Nazi regime. The end of World War I up until 1933 was a time of economic and political crisis for Germany as a result of this war. President Hindenburg looked towards the right wing group, the National Socialist German Workers (Nazi for short), one of Germany strongest parties to help the nation out of its rut. At the time the leader of the Nazi’s was Adolf Hitler. Hindenburg saw his potential as a leader and made him Chancellor, Germany’s most powerful position in government on January 30, 1933. In less then three months Hitler used his cabinet, Security Police, Storm Troppers, and the State Police to change Germany from a democracy to a dictatorship under his power. With his cabinet he rewrote the constitution and took away individual freedoms, the right to assemble, and the freedom of speech and the press. Hitler’s group of specialty officers arrested political leaders who opposed him. By March of 1933 he had so much control he w... ...s most shameful events, and the Nazi terror was so much worse because it was unprovoked. - Poltorak,A. and Y. Zaitsev. Remember Nuremberg. Moscow: Foreign Languages Publishing House, 1966. - Horn, Daniel. Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich. St. Louis: Forum Press, 1976 - Kauders, Anthony. German Politics and the Jews. Oxford: Claredon Press, 1996 - Nachmann, Werner, Nahum Goldmann, and Helmut Schmidt. An Exhortation and Obligation. Cologne: Federal Republic of Germany, 1978. - Lewin, Abraham. A Cup of Tears: A Diary of the Warsaw Ghetto. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1988. - Lifton, Robert Jay, The Nazi Doctors: Medical Killings and the Psychology of Genocide. New York: Basic Books Inc, 1986. - Gutman, Isreal. Resistance: The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Boston. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994.

Pancasila

CHAPTER I BACKGROUND Indonesia is a country which has a strong philosophy to control the whole system of the country. In its preamble, the 1945 constitution sets forth the Pancasila as the embodiment of basic principles of an independent Indonesian state. These five principles were announced by Sukarno in a speech known as â€Å"The Birth of the Pancasila,† which he gave to the Independence Preparatory Committee on June 1, 1945. In brief, and in the order given in the constitution, the Pancasila principles are: belief in one supreme God; humanitarianism; nationalism expressed in the unity of Indonesia; consultative democracy; and social justice.Sukarno's statement of the Pancasila, while simple in form, resulted from a complex and sophisticated appreciation of the ideological needs of the new nation. The details about each principles: 1. Belief in the one and only God The symbol of this principle is star. This principle tells us about belief in God. It shows that the Indonesia n people believe in life after death. It emphasizes that the pursuit of sacred values will lead the people to a better life in the hereafter. The principle is embodied in the 1945 Constitution and reads: â€Å"The state shall be based on the belief in the one and only God†.It is represented by the star in the centre of the shield of the Garuda Pancasila. 2. Just and civilized humanity The symbol of this principle is chain. This principle requires that human beings be treated with due regard to their dignity as God’s creatures. It emphasizes that the Indonesian people do not tolerate physical or spiritual oppression of human beings by their own people or by any other nation. The chain at the lower right of the shield symbolizes successive generations of humanity. 3. The unity of IndonesiaThe symbol of this principle is banyan tree. This principle talks about the concept of nationalism, of love for one’s nation and motherland. Pancasila nationalism demands that In donesians avoid feelings of superiority on the grounds of ethnicity, for reasons of ancestry and skin color. In his 1 June 1945 speech, Sukarno quoted Gandhi: I am a nationalist, but my nationalism is humanity. The Indonesian coat of arms enshrines the symbol of â€Å"Bhinneka Tunggal Ika† which means â€Å"unity in diversity†. This is represented on the shield by the banyan tree at top right. 4.Democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity arising out of deliberations amongst representatives The symbol of this principle is the buffalo’s head. Pancasila democracy calls for decision-making through deliberations to reach a consensus. It implies that voting is not encouraged as long as deliberation is possible. It is democracy that lives up to the principles of Pancasila. The head of the wild bull at top left stands for this principle. 5. Social justice for the whole of the people of Indonesia The symbol of this principle is the rice and cotton.This princip le calls for the equitable spread of welfare to the entire population, not in a static but in a dynamic and progressive way. This means that all of the country’s natural resources and the national potentials should be utilized for the greatest possible good and happiness of the people. Social justice implies protection of the weak. But protection should not deny them work. On the contrary, they should work according to their abilities and fields of activity. Protection should prevent wilful treatment by the strong and ensure the rule of justice.This is symbolized by the paddy and cotton ears on the shield. Those principle are the base of Indonesia. All the constitution, rule, regulation, law, and system in this country must follow those principles. All activities related with Indonesia cannot be contrarily with its state philosophy. This state philosophy also can help the government to solve some problems in the country. That is why Pancasila is made and conclude all aspects that are needed in country’s life. CHAPTER II VIOLATION OF PANCASILA 2. 1 The IssueReligious violence is not talking about good violence or the type of violence which is allowed by the religion. It talks about the violence action that bring such name of religion to attack other belief or religion. The head of Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace, Hendardi stated that within the last three years, the violence that bring the name of religion happened frequently, even more frequent than before. From the beginning of 2010, 27th of April, thousands of people attacked â€Å"Yayasan Badan Pendidikan Kristen† (BPK) complex at Cisarua, Bogor. Not less than six buildings was burnt.Then, on 1st of October, a thousand people invaded Ahmadiyah area at Cisalada, Ciampea, Bogor and broke six buildings. On 12th of September in the same year, Christian community of HKBP Pondok Timur Indah Church was attacked when they were going to do the service. A preacher was also being stabbed by the attacker. The violence was not ended at 2010, entering 2011, on 6th of February, a thousand of people attacked Ahmadiyah Cikeusik, Pandeglang. Three Ahmadiyah people was died in this incident. Two days after that there were some people broke and burnt three churches and one Catholic school at Temanggung, Central Java.Those violence causes death of some people and a big losses for some parties. That religious violence is easily published by the media. Even in one media, there is one Indonesian who live in Cairo, Egypt, state his cynical thought, â€Å"That is Indonesia which is never reach maturity stage. Other countries are trying to get out from the cage of primordialism but we still stay the same. † It shows that religious violence in Indonesia is also heard by other countries or even by the whole world. One case that recently happened is the case on Temanggung, Central Java.That chaos happened after the judge verdicts 5-year punishment in jail to Antonius Richmon Ba wengan who is judged as a person who insult other religion. Right after the decision of the judge come out, the mass on the court altogether destroy the buildings (three churches and one Catholic school), break the glass and other facilities there. Those violence has caused great chaotic in Temanggung. Some roads must be closed due to the barbaric action of the mass. It also causes great loss to some parties. The reason for that religious violence is mass’ disappointment because of the judge decision.They think the punishment is too small for the person who insults religion. Actually, there is another happening before that religious violence happens. On 3rd of October 2010, Antonius Richmon stayed at his relative’s house in Kenalan village, Temanggung, Central Java. On that day, Antonius spread some books, that contain some statement that were considered as humiliation for the Moslem, to the Moslem mass around him. That is why the mass in that village were disturbed by his action and decided to arrest him since 26th of October 2010.The oddity in this case is most of the mass that was doing the violence were coming from outside Temanggung. The secretary of â€Å"Forum Kerukunan Umat Beragama† (The Harmony of Religion), Djundardo, said â€Å"Most of the mass that do the violence was coming from outside Temanggung because, basicaly, Temanggung has good harmony in inter-religion interactions. † 2. 2 Analysis based on principles of Pancasila This case has violated several principle of Pancasila which must be our base in everything people do in this country. For the most, it totally violates the first principle â€Å"Belief in the one and only God†.This principle does not mean that all of Indonesian must have one religion. Indonesia acknowledges five religions before and six religions for now. It means that this principle encourage the entire citizen to respect other religion and belief. It says one and only God to emphasize that w e have one goal, one destination, and one same point at the last so the one that makes each religion different is the way to reach that goals. The former of Pancasila already thought about it carefully. They just wanted all citizens can have good harmony just like a big family, even though there is diverse religion and belief in it.Unfortunately, the fact, nowadays, is really contrast with the Pancasila’s former expectation. If we see the â€Å"religious violence†, it shows that there is lack of respect to other religion. They tend to defend their own religion by violence. They think that their religion is the best and because of that they lose the harmony of inter-religion relationship which is expected by the former from the first principle. The people who do violence forget about the first principle that said about the one and only God which means unity in one God.The principle means the last destination of each religion is one and only God who loves all people who believe on Him, so people do not have any right to judge which religion is the best among others. Besides that, none of the religion that tells people to solve problems with violence actions. If there is some people who do violence action and bring the name of religion, it means those people are not respect their own religion and God. That is why, this violence which attack other religion has considered as violation the first principle of Pancasila.Besides that, religious violence also violates second principle of Pancasila â€Å"Just and civilized humanity† because it harm so many people’s life. Civilized humanity describes the society that can treat the people who live there fairly, are polite and behave in a calm and reasonable way. The violence is a contrast action of civilized humanity. It shows that the mass, that kill other people, break others’ properties, and even obstruct others’ religion, imply impoliteness and barbarian behavior. It totally do not implement the second principle of Pancasila.Those actions also violate the third principle of Pancasila â€Å"The unity of Indonesia† because those actions can trigger any disunity among the citizen of Indonesia. Basically, unity never means all people must in the same thought, same condition, or same choice. Unity can be reached when we can respect others thought, condition and choice to reach one goal; also when we can harmonize that diversity and, the most important, has the sense of belonging to all of the member. In this religious violence, we cannot see the sense of belonging of those people or even their effort to respect others’ belief.They try to attack others because they think that religion is not appropriate to exist and be believed there. At the last, religious violence can be counted as violation of the fifth principle â€Å"Social justice for the whole of the people of Indonesia†. It violates this principle due to the closing of some churches which is unfair for the Christians who live kindly and nicely to the society. In this principle, the former said â€Å"for the whole of people of Indonesia† not for several people which means there must be no discrimination to get social justice.People should not judge a religion based on one-man action which does not describe the characteristic the whole of people who taking up that religion. 2. 3 Solutions Government need to remember and understand deeply about our Constitution. We must realize that we are in the democratic country, not an authoritative one. It means that we must respect others’ thought and belief; we cannot force others to have the same thought and belief with us. If we can realize it, hopefully, our country can be calmer and has harmonious inter-religion life. Government also needs to be strict in law to cope this issue.It is not only in law but also in its implementation. If someone harms others’ life, especially with harassment, it must b e considered as a crime and he/ she must be arrested based on the law. Government need to repair their mind to do their work to serve the whole citizen wholehearted and fairly. Besides all of that, we also can start to resolve the issue by ourselves. We must learn to respect others’ belief and not judge a society by one-man action only. We must try to open our mind to the diversity around us and share our knowledge to the people who still lack of this awareness.We also need to socialize with all people in our society, not only people who have same belief or interest with us. CHAPTER III CONCLUSION Indonesia is a country which established with a strong state philosophy which is called Pancasila. Pancasila consists of five basic principles which already covers all aspects in country’s life. The principles include the belief, humanity, unity, democracy, and justice. Those principles are called as state philosophy because those five principles are the fundamental principle to run the country. It means every single thing which is done in and for the country must agree with Pancasila.On the other hand, if we see the reality nowadays, there is some violation in regards of Pancasila. One kind of the violation is religious violence, which means some violence action which brings a name of religion. This issue becomes more frequent lately. The last case is in Temanggung where there are three churches and a Catholic school were destroyed by the mass which bring the name of Islam. That violence had caused chaotic and terrified situation in Temanggung because the mass was looked so brutal. This case has totally broke the first principle of Pancasila which said belief in one and only God.

Employee Handbook

Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. Employee Handbook for Field Personnel TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT 3 MISSION STATEMENT 3 LETTER FROM THE OWNERS 4 PURPOSE OF THIS HANDBOOK NOTICE 5 SUPPLEMENTS/CHANGES 6 DEFINITIONS 6 EXCEPTIONS 6 Section I: EMPLOYMENT Organization Chart 7 Employment-at-Will 7 Equal Employment Opportunity 8 Affirmative Action Plan 8 Immigration Reform & Control Act of 1986 9 Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) 9 Section II: PERSONNEL STATUS Employment Classifications 10 Tardiness and Absence 11 Personnel Records 12Work Rules and Performance Standards 13 Section V: GENERAL INFORMATION Open Door Policy 26 Injuries/Accidents 26 Sexual Harassment 27 Alcohol, Drugs, and Controlled Substances 29 Prohibited Items 29 Drug Testing 30 Moonlighting (Outside Activities) or Conflict of Interest 32 Personal Credit References 32 Driving Records 33 Personal Loans and Pay Advances 33 Media Relations 34 Use of Company Vehicles, Property, Equipment, Etc. 34 ATTACHMENTS Employee Statement of Acknowledgment Substance Abuse Testing Consent and Release Overtime 24 Disciplinary Form 24Performance Evaluations 25 Job Descriptions 25 INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT Welcome to Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. This Employee Handbook – Field applies to all employees of Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. It is intended to provide guidelines and summary information about the company’s personnel policies, procedures, benefits, and rules of conduct. It is important that you read, understand, and become familiar with this Employee Handbook and comply with the standards that have been established. Please talk with your immediate supervisor if you have any questions or need dditional information. The rules set out in this Employee Handbook are as complete as we can reasonably make them. However, they are not necessarily all inclusive because circumstances that we had not anticipated may arise. Some currently unanticipated circumstances may warrant the appl ication of discipline, including termination. In addition, Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. reserves the right to modify, supplement, rescind, or revise any policy, benefit, or provision from time to time, with or without notice, as it deems necessary or appropriate. MISSION STATEMENTThe following is our mission statement at Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. is committed to achieving the highest possible level of total customer satisfaction. Our goal is to make the environment safer and more attractive. All of our associates are dedicated, hard working people that have been equipped and trained to perform work in a correct and safe manner. We are committed to growth, stability, and providing meaningful employment. At Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc, we do the job ‘RIGHT. † LETTER FROM THE OWNERSWelcome to the Martino Landscape Contractors family! This Employee Manual answers some of the important and fundamental questions you m ay have about your employment with Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. In it, you will find descriptions of Company policies and guidelines related to your employment. Should you have questions about your work here, please do not hesitate to discuss them with your immediate supervisor. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship. ______________________________ _____________________________ Roberto MartinoPURPOSE OF THIS HANDBOOK This Employee Handbook is intended to be a communications tool to inform employees about the policies, guidelines, benefits, and work practices that affect their employment with Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. It will help you to understand your responsibilities to Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. and the Company’s responsibilities to you. This Employee Handbook is not intended to, and should not be interpreted as, creating a contract of employment. While Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. elieves that one of the best ways t o develop an employee’s trust and confidence in the Company is to perform in a consistent manner, it is important to realize that changes to our daily practices may occasionally be necessary. Therefore, Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. reserves the right to change, modify, delete, or add to any of the policies and practices listed herein, in accordance with management’s best judgment. We require that you read all of this Employee Handbook carefully. You are also encouraged to take it home to your family so that they can also become familiar with it.You should refer to this manual first when you have any questions. If you still are not certain, please contact your immediate supervisor. NOTICE The policies in this Employee Handbook are to be considered as guidelines. Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc, at its sole option, may change, delete, suspend, and discontinue any part of its policies in this Handbook with or without any prior notice. Any such action shall apply to existing, as well as future, employees, with continued employment being the consideration between the employer and the employee.No one other than the President of Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. may alter or modify any of the policies in this Employee Handbook. No statement or promise by a supervisor, manager, or department head may be interpreted as a change in policy, nor will it constitute an agreement with an employee. Should any provision in this Employee Handbook be found to be unenforceable and/or invalid, such finding does not invalidate the entire Employee Handbook, but only the subject provision. DEFINITIONS This Employee Handbook deals only with Field personnel.Field personnel include those employees whose work is performed principally in the Field. This includes the following: †¢ County Supervisors †¢ Tractor Operators or Crew Members †¢ Lawn Care Crew Members †¢ Weed Whacker Crew Members This Employee Handbook also covers Field personnel who are brought to the Main Office or the Shop on an as needed or temporary basis . EXCEPTIONS In some cases exceptions can be made to policies listed in this Employee Manual. In most cases exceptions will not be allowed. Only the President can make exceptions to stated Company policies.Exceptions are NOT automatically granted, and very few will be granted. If you request an exception, it is your responsibility to provide justification for the President to grant an exception. SECTION I: EMPLOYMENT ORGANIZATION CHART Martino Landscape Contractors has a formal, functional organization chart. This organization chart demonstrates the â€Å"chain of command† at Martino Landscape Contractors. It is your obligation to know and follow this â€Å"chain of command. † According to this chart, you have only one boss. Your boss is the individual who provides you with all work-related instructions.You should ask this individual, and this individual only, about all work related questions . If, after the conclusion of this discussion, you are not satisfied, let your immediate supervisor know that you would like to discuss this matter with their immediate supervisor. That individual will set the time for such a meeting after discussion with their immediate supervisor (See the Section on â€Å"Open Door Policy. †). You may discuss personal matters with the President, or any member of management, at your mutual convenience without first discussing these types of issues with your immediate supervisor.EMPLOYMENT-AT-WILL Employment is with the mutual consent of you and Martino Landscape Contractors. Consequently, Martino Landscape Contractors have the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. This employment-at-will relationship will remain in effect throughout your employment with Martino Landscape Contractors, unless it is specifically modified by an express written agreement signed by the President of Mar tino Landscape Contractors. All Field employees will have an Introductory Period of a minimum of 60 days.After the successful completion of this period, they may become considered as permanent employees. This employment-at-will relationship may not be modified by any oral or implied agreement. This Employee Handbook does not constitute an employee contract. TARDINESS AND ABSENCE You are part of a team. In most circumstances, the progress and productivity of the job depends on each of its team members acting together. Therefore, it is important that employees work their assigned schedules as consistently as possible.However, Martino Landscape Contractors understands that because of illness or emergency situations you may be unable to come to work. If you are unable to report to work for any reason, you must call in to your immediate supervisor before your scheduled time of arrival with the following information: †¢ If you will be late, you must state why and when you expect to b e in. †¢ If you will be absent, you must state why and how long you expect to be out. If your immediate supervisor has a cell phone, you must call that individual directly.It is your responsibility to keep the Company informed on a daily basis during a short-term absence. Except in the case of an emergency, employees must have their supervisor's permission to leave work before they are regularly scheduled to do so. Being late (tardy) or absent is considered â€Å"excused† only when you call promptly and the tardy or absence is for a compelling reason. The Company reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine what constitutes a compelling reason. A tardy or absence for a non-compelling reason, and failing to call in according to company policy, will be considered â€Å"unexcused. Furthermore, the Company recognizes that certain emergency situations would prevent you from giving advance notice. The Company will apply â€Å"the rule of reason† to all such situations Martino Landscape Contractors considers â€Å"unexcused† tardiness and absence to be a serious problem. Consequently, employees who are tardy or absent excessively or show a consistent pattern of absence, whether â€Å"excused† or â€Å"unexcused,† may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including, possible termination.If you are late for work, or you are absent without an acceptable excuse, more than three (3) times within a year’s period (based on the date of the first occurrence), you will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including, possible termination. If you do not call in and do not report to work for three (3) consecutive workdays, the Company will consider this to be a voluntarily resignation. WORK RULES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS It is not possible to provide a complete listing of every work rule or performance standard.As a result, the following are presented only as examples. You are responsible for understandin g and following these standards and work rules. Employees who do not comply may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including, possible termination. Job Performance – employees may be disciplined, up to and including, possible termination, for poor job performance, as determined by Martino Landscape Contractors. Some examples of poor job performance are as follows: †¢ Below average or what the Company defines as acceptable level of work quality or quantity; Failure to follow safety requirements and regulations, including the utilization of required safety equipment, clothing, gear, etc. ; †¢ Failure to attain established goals; †¢ Poor attitude, including rudeness, or lack of cooperation – this includes dealings with representatives of customers, vendors, co-workers, representatives of local, State or federal governments, etc. ; †¢ Excessive absenteeism, tardiness, or abuse of meal or break time privileges; †¢ Failure to properly use a nd care for all Company owned or rented equipment and vehicles; Failure to follow instructions or Company policies and procedures; †¢ Failure to perform all job duties, tasks ands responsibilities. Misconduct – employees may also be disciplined, up to and including, possible termination, for misconduct. Some examples of misconduct are as follows: †¢ Insubordination; †¢ â€Å"Badmouthing,† the spreading of rumors, half truths, untruths, etc. of customers, co-workers, vendors, outside professionals, governmental representatives, Martino Landscape Contractors personnel, etc. ; Abuse, misuse, theft, or the unauthorized possession or removal of Company property or the personal property of others; †¢ Falsifying or making a material omission on Company records, reports, or other documents, including payroll, personnel, expense reports, and employment records; †¢ Being rude, disrespectful, using abusive and/or foul language with any client/customer â⠂¬â€œ actual or potential – vendor, co-worker, outside professionals, governmental representatives, competitor of the Company, etc. ; †¢ Divulging confidential Company information to unauthorized persons; Disorderly conduct on Company property – including fighting or attempted bodily injury, or the use of profane, abusive, or threatening language toward others, or possession of a weapon; †¢ Misconduct in company furnished motel rooms; †¢ Violation of any law adversely affecting Martino Landscape Contractors, or conviction in court of any crime which may cause the employee to be regarded as unsuitable for continued employment; †¢ Violation of Martino Landscape Contractors alcohol, drugs, and controlled substances policies; †¢ Violation of Martino Landscape Contractors harassment policies; Violation of safety rules, as may be established by Martino Landscape Contractors †¢ Continuous misuse and/or unauthorized use of any company equipment or property. Attitude – Martino Landscape Contractors strives to be a positive company and to create a positive working environment for its employees and clients. We expect that you will at all times and with all employees, customers, co-workers, vendors, representatives of governmental agencies, outside professionals, etc. only make positive remarks about Martino Landscape Contractors.If you have any complaints they should be handled discreetly with your immediate supervisor. USE of COMPANY VEHICLES, PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, ETC. Some Martino Landscape Contractors Field personnel are assigned Company vehicles. These are intended for conducting official business ONLY. You should NEVER allow anyone other than a current Company employee, with a valid Driver’s License, to operate a Company vehicle. Also, you should not allow anyone to ride in the vehicle that is not a current Company employee. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and ncluding, termi nation. SECTION II: PERSONNEL STATUS EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATIONS Introductory Period: All personnel hired by Martino Landscape Contractors will start off in a minimum 60-day Introductory Period. While classified in this status you are not eligible for any company benefits, unless required by law. The Introductory Period is a time for the Company to get to know its employees and their capabilities. It is also a time for you to get to know the Company and your job tasks and /or duties. Throughout this period we will be evaluating each other.At any point in time during this Introductory Period, the Company or you may decide to terminate the relationship. At the end of the period, your immediate supervisor will conduct a performance evaluation interview with you and will determine your status with Martino Landscape Contractors. This period may be extended beyond the initial 60-day period discussed above. However, throughout this period you are encouraged to discuss your performance and a sk questions of your immediate supervisor regarding all tasks and duties assigned to you. Part-Time Employees:Employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week. If the position or job function is to be part-time, you will be notified at the time of your hiring. Seasonal Employees: Employees in non-supervisory, field positions. The length of time that any individual will be needed is dependent on the work volume and specific projects that are performed. Temporary Employees: Employees hired on a temporary basis. This may include the hiring of some individuals during the summer months. It may also include using temporary employment agencies to obtain this additional, short term, help that the Company requires.Hourly: These positions have an hourly wage rate. The individuals in these positions are paid for the actual hours they worked during the pay period. However, under federal law these individuals are paid time-and-a-half for all hours worked above 40 hours in a given pay peri od. Employment of Minors: The Company will not knowingly hire any individual who is considered to be under age for employment in any job classification as defined by State and federal laws. Generally speaking, this is 18 years of age to operate equipment and/or vehicles and 16 years of age for other positions. MEAL PERIODSAll hourly employees who work more than six (6) hours in a given workday will receive an unpaid meal period of 30 minutes. In the field, it is up to you to determine the exact time of this break. You should consider your current location and the time it would take to get to a convenient spot for taking your meal break. Consequently, there is no exact time for taking your meal break on a daily basis. 30 minutes per day will be subtracted from your time sheet. Employees who do not work more than six (6) hours in a workday may not take a meal break without the expressed approval of their immediate supervisor.You are expected to be back at work within 30 minutes after you left for the start of your meal period. Leaving early and/or returning late is considered a serious offense and will lead to disciplinary action, up to and including, possible termination. SECTION IV: COMPENSATION WAGE and SALARY REVIEWS Wage and Salary increases are based upon performance only. Your length of service with the company has nothing to do with being granted a wage or salary increase. Martino Landscape Contractors considers your pay rate, salary, and/or your total compensation package to be highly confidential information.Under no circumstances should any part of your compensation package be discussed with anyone but your immediate supervisor, the Payroll Clerk, the Office Manager, the Controller, and the President. Violation of this policy is considered to be a very serious matter and may subject you to disciplinary action, up to and including, possible termination. WAGE ASSIGNMENTS or GARNISHMENTS On occasion, employees may have Wage Assignments or Garnishments fi led against them. These are legal documents and require that Martino Landscape Contractors deduct a certain amount from your weekly paychecks.The Company will inform you regarding any such Garnishments against your wages as soon as possible after they have been received and processed in the Accounting Department. You will be provided with copies of any documentation that is given to the Company. If you disagree with the Garnishment, then it is your responsibility to handle this matter with the appropriate court and/or institution. The Company has no say whatsoever on these issues. They are strictly legal requirements with which the Company must comply by law. For each assignment or garnishment, the employee will be assessed an Administrative Fee of $3. 0 per transaction. PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS All Field employees will receive a written performance evaluation annually, based on their anniversary dates. They may be provided more frequently. New employees will receive a written perfor mance evaluation at the conclusion of their 60-day Introductory Period. The purpose of the performance evaluation is to let you know how well you are doing. Written performance evaluations may include commendation for good work, as well as specific recommendations for improvement. You will have the opportunity to discuss your performance evaluation with your immediate supervisor.This is a good time to ask questions and to clarify important points. Performance evaluations help Martino Landscape Contractors make important decisions about job placement, training and development, and pay increases. A satisfactory performance evaluation does not guarantee a salary increase nor does it alter, modify, or amend the at-will employment relationship between you and Martino Landscape Contractors JOB DESCRIPTIONS SECTION III: GENERAL INFORMATION INJURIES/ACCIDENTS All injuries while on company time must be reported as soon as possible to your immediate supervisor.PLEASE, ensure that medical atte ntion is sought first in an emergency. Your supervisor will have a listing of emergency telephone numbers. If you witness or are present when an injury occurs, and the situation so calls, please call for help IMMEDIATELY. Your and your co-workers’ health and well-being are of prime importance. In addition, you are expected to immediately report any and all unsafe situations to your immediate supervisor. SEXUAL HARASSMENT Martino Landscape Contractors are committed to providing a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.In keeping with this commitment, Martino Landscape Contractors maintains a strict policy prohibiting harassment, including sexual harassment. Sexual harassment of employees by supervisors, co-workers, customers, representatives of governmental agencies, outside professionals, vendors, etc. is prohibited. Individuals who have been determined to have violated this policy will be disciplined, up to and including, possible termination. Martino Landscape Contractors makes the following commitments to all employees: Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, the following: Un-welcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions; †¢Verbal abuse of a sexual nature; †¢Using explicit or derogatory sexual terms in reference to any employee; †¢Subtle pressure or requests for sexual activities; †¢Unnecessary touching of an individual; †¢Graphic comments about an individual's body; †¢A display in the workplace of sexually suggestive objects or pictures, including, but not limited to, magazines, posters, calendars, photographs, and drawings; †¢Sexually explicit or offensive jokes; †¢Physical assault; Retaliating in ANY way against an employee who has complained of, or reported, sexual harassment or who has participated in the investigation of such conduct. If you believe that you are being, or have been, harassed in any way, you MUST report the facts of the incident or in cidents to your supervisor immediately, without fear of reprisal. If for ANY reason you are uncomfortable talking with this person, or this person is the one whom you believe is guilty of sexual harassment, you should immediately talk with the President. Do not wait to see if the behavior stops.To properly protect all of our employees, customers, vendors, business associates, Martino Landscape Contractors must be notified at the first opportunity. Any accusation brought to the attention of supervision and/or management MUST be brought up the chain of command of the organization or directly to President for investigation. It is a condition of employment at Martino Landscape Contractors that if it is deemed necessary to use an outside arbitrator to resolve any sexual harassment disputes, you hereby accept this condition and agree to abide by the judgment and determinations of this arbitrator.ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES Martino Landscape Contractors has adopted a policy o n drugs, alcohol, and other prohibited items in order to help insure a safe, healthy, and productive drug-free environment for our employees and others on Company property, to protect Company property and assets, to maintain a favorable public image, and to assure efficient operations.It is the policy of Martino Landscape Contractors to maintain its property and to provide a drug-free working environment that is both safe for our employees, including others having business with the Company, or on Company property, or at work sites where Martino Landscape Contractors is performing work, and conducive to efficient and productive work standards.This policy restricts certain items and substances from being brought to work, being used while working or being present on Company property and/or Company work sites, and prohibits Company employees and all others from, reporting to work, working or being present on Company property and/or Company job sites, whether or not on duty, from having detectable levels or identifiable trace quantities of certain drugs and other substances, and prohibits the unauthorized possession, by employees or others, of property, equipment, materials, supplies, or proprietary information belonging to Martino Landscape Contractors or others. OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES) or CONFLICT of INTEREST Because of the possibility of a conflict of interest, employees are prohibited from holding a position with any competitor, governmental agency, and customer, outside professional entity, or vendor or any business entity working with Martino Landscape Contractors. Therefore, you are required to inform your immediate supervisor if you have any outside employment – with any company or any self-employment venture.Martino Landscape Contractors will be the sole judge as to whether that company or business venture falls into any of these categories. While you are free to have outside employment (a second job), it must not interfere with your ability to perform your duties and responsibilities for Martino Landscape Contractors. in a productive and safe manner. In addition, it must not limit your ability – on a regular basis – to be available for required overtime and/or weekendIn addition, all employees are prohibited from engaging in outside employment, private business, or other activity, which might have an adverse effect on, or create a conflict of interest with, Martino Landscape Contractors and the type of work that the Company performs. DRIVING RECORDS Employees, whose job/position requires the ability to operate a motor vehicle, must present and maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record acceptable to our insurer. You will be asked to submit a copy of your driving record to Martino Landscape Contractors from time to time.Any changes in your driving record must be reported immediately. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, up to and including, possible termination. If you are authorized to ope rate a Company vehicle in the course of your assigned work, or if you operate your own vehicle in performing your job, you will be considered completely responsible for any accidents, fines, or traffic violations incurred – other than those imposed on a Company vehicle for being overweight, unsafe, etc.Your immediate supervisor will advise you on what to say and do (and what not to say and do) in the event of a vehicular accident All drivers will be subject to investigation annually by the insurance carrier to verify the status of their driving record and to determine their insurability. Martino Landscape Contractors is not liable for any employee that is turned down for coverage. However, if our insurance carrier will not insure you, then you cannot hold a position that has a requirement for driving a vehicle.ONLY Martino Landscape Contractors employees may operate any vehicle or piece of equipment owned or rented by the Company. PERSONAL LOANS and PAY ADVANCES It is the pol icy of Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. NOT to enter into any type of loans for any employee. Generally, it is the policy of Martino Landscape Contractors, Inc. NOT to provide a pay advance to any employee. However, under emergency conditions, an exception can be made to this policy. If such an exception is granted, the following conditions apply: 1.For salaried personnel, no pay advance can be made for a sum greater than 50% of salaried employee’s regular or base weekly salary. 2. For hourly employees, no advance can be made for sum greater than 20 hours pay (20 hours times the employee’s hourly wage rate. ). 3. There is a $3. 00 processing fee, per transaction, per week to cover the administrative time and effort involved in this process. 4. All advances granted must be paid back to the Company by the end of the last business paycheck of the year. 5. Employees are eligible for a pay advance only once within each calendar ear. 6. ONLY the Vice President, the Contro ller, or the President may grant exceptions. EMPLOYEE STATEMENT OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This is to acknowledge that I have been given information on accessing the website to read and review the Dixie Lawn Service, Inc. â€Å"Employee Handbook† and the â€Å"Safety Manual†. It is the employee's responsibility to read and be aware of Dixie Lawn Service, Inc. policy and procedures that are kept up to date on this website. Printed copies may be available upon request. Employee Signature Date