What to Include in an Employee Handbook

What to Include in an Employee Handbook DISCLAIMEROften overlooked by many smaller firms, every employee handbook must include a disclaimer at the very beginning. While it may not be the very first thing most people think of when reading a staff handbook, this is a quintessential segment to ensure complications do not arise in the future.By including a disclaimer, you are protecting yourself from litigation in the case an employee decides to bring it up for reference later on if an employment problem arises. It is always placed in the introduction of the manual. You may forget to incorporate the other topics mentioned in this guide, but you should never omit the disclaimer.The disclaimer should clearly state that the employee manual is by no means a legal, binding job contract. They are two entirely different entities and should be treated as such. An employee manual does not guarantee continuous employment and it should clearly express the “at-will employment” nature.The following points are examples of disclaimers to include that protect the company.“This handbook only contains general information and guidelines. It is not a binding, legal contract and does not act as a contractual right to remain employed at the company.”“Your employment may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the company. Likewise, you are able to resign at any time.”By stating these disclaimers, you are preventing terminated employees from suing you in the future for a breach of contract. Since you have stated that the employee manual is NOT a job contract, there are no legal grounds for litigation based on the manual.COMPANY PROFILEThis is the first big section of an employee handbook. We would argue that it is in fact the longest and most detailed section of the handbook. It is composed of several sub-sections, like the company’s mission and vision, history, culture, and current state of affairs.Some of these things may be perceived as a refresher for new recruits who have already read about the compan y during their application process.However, these must be restated to instill the company’s ideals and beliefs into their minds to get them onboard and in harmony from day one.Company Mission and Vision StatementsWhy do we do what we do? What are our goals?These are some questions that every organization has to answer in order to successfully achieve what it sets out to do. Otherwise, the company will crumble from a lack of aim and purpose.Every company has a mission statement that states the firm’s goals, agendas, and philosophies. Likewise, every company also has a vision statement that says where the company intends to head in the future.By informing your employees of the organization’s mission and vision, you are showing and teaching them what they need to do to become successful in your company â€" a sense of direction and purpose.Mission StatementA brief and succinct statement that expresses what the company does and why it exists. It communicates the purpose of the firm . Why are we in this business? A good mission statement should answer three key questions:Who is your target customer? (Key Markets)What products or services do we provide to customers? (Contribution)What makes our products or services unique? (Distinction)A mission statement describes an organization’s function, markets, and competitive advantage. It plays a major role in a firm’s strategic planning. Studies have shown that when employees know precisely what their product or service is, who it is for, and what makes it special, then they are able to perform at their highest level. It should not be complex, rather very direct and accurate.Ever wondered why so many mission statements are totally non-sense. Heres why. We have provided a couple of examples of good mission statements.“To inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time” â€" Starbucks“To refresh the world, to inspire moments of optimism and happiness, to create value and make a difference” â€" Coca-Cola Corporation“We will market the most appealing and widely worn casual clothing in the world. We will clothe the world.” â€" Levi’s Strauss and Co.Vision StatementA statement outlining the company’s roadmap. It expresses where the firm sees itself in the future and what it hopes and intends to accomplish by then. Where do we see ourselves in the future?A good vision statement is able to tell employees what the objectives and goals of the corporation are. It must clearly and concisely declare where the company will reach after a certain number of years.By using foresight and statistical data, it is certainly possible to roughly estimate where you see yourself as a company in the future. Unlike a mission statement that talks about the operations and uniqueness of the company, a vision statement describes where the organization will be in the future.Every company has hopes and dreams. All of them start small, yet they aspire to accomplish big th ings. If you are successfully able to convey this message to your employees, then they will acquire a sense of purpose and meaning in their work.We have listed a few good examples of vision statements.“Our vision is to be the most customer-centric company on the planet; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they want to buy online” â€" Amazon“Empower people through great software anytime, anywhere, on any device” â€" Microsoft“We envision a world where everybody leads better lives because of us.” â€" IKEA Company HistoryWhen discussing the company’s mission and vision statements, it must always be in the context of the organization’s early beginnings. The history of the company should be described to new employees to put the mission and vision into context. It provides a reference point for everybody in the company, to remind them what the company was in the past in relation to what it is now and how that shapes what and where it wants to be in the future.Organizations, especially large corporations, once had humble beginnings. Businesses like Toyota, Apple, Walmart, and Sony are household names now and raking in billions of dollars in revenue annually, but there was a time when they were not even a blip on the radar.Your company was in such a situation, too, but you are now in a place that you can be proud of. That is a story worth telling, a story of success. New recruits, especially the younger ones, may lack a certain amount of confidence to achieve their goals. Describing how a small firm can grow and accomplish many things will spark genuine interest in all employees at the firm and show them that in fact anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.Talking about the founders and how they toiled day in and day out will give employees a sense of the company’s culture and work ethic. Mentioning all of their little accomplishments along the way to present day will put things into perspective for emplo yees.This will convince new recruits that they can also achieve their ambitious goals if they reach their milestones. There is no need to go into extensive detail, but telling a short story will inspire employees to come to work.Working CultureCorporate culture, or working culture, is the collection of shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that characterize the members of a company and define its structure.Different companies in various industries across the globe operate in different ways. In some companies, the communication channels are very flat and horizontal, promoting equality amongst the ranks. In other companies, there is a clearly defined hierarchy and vertical structure, with individuals in higher-ranking positions always making the decisions.Communication is the most important part of working at a company with other professionals, so stating clearly how communication is conducted between individuals will help employees fit in and adapt. Many new recruits are u ncertain how to interact with their colleagues without overstepping any boundaries and presenting themselves as disrespectful.Clearly defining your organization’s working culture in terms of communication, teamwork, and leadership styles will aid them in learning to quickly fit in.We have compiled a couple of some well-written culture statements.“We work together within a team environment of mutual respect, honesty, and integrity.”“We approach our craft with a proactive, positive, and enthusiastic attitude and maintain an open environment where creativity and curiosity are encouraged.”Learn from Hubspot why your company culture is super important for business success.[slideshare id=17415022doc=culturecode-v7-130320111259-phpapp02w=710h=400]Current Operations and StatisticsAll employees should know what the company is currently doing and how it fairing in its respective sector. If your company happens to be a tech firm, figures such as annual revenue and number of patents i ssued play a key role in determining success. Market share of the products in various sectors should also be stated.For other industries, relevant and important figures should be stated in the handbook. Employees should be informed of such statistics so that they know the company’s current success levels.An organizational chart depicting the entire structure of the company will help employees understand how the company operates between the various departments. This will make even a very large and complex organization very easy to navigate. Your job as an employer in a supervisory role is to make the employees feel at home. Describing everything about the company will help them get acquainted with their corporate family.Typical figures to include in an employee handbook are:the number of employees working at the firmthe number of locations around the worlda detailed list of the products and services being offeredWORK SCHEDULESAn employee handbook should explicitly detail the genera l working hours for all employees at the company. You want to describe the provisions for both part-time and full-time working hours to your employees. Clearly defining them will help the employees understand and structure their workweek accordingly.The employee handbook should explicitly state that while there is a consensus for the typical working hours of employees, your job contract will specifically state your working hours for your given position. This will help clear any confusion for those employees who are not in either the part-time or full-time categories, but rather working on a contractual basis or as a consultant.If your company promotes flexible working hours to allow staff to balance their work and home life, then this should definitely be incorporated in the employee manual. It will give your employees a peace of mind that their work-life balance is being taken into consideration by their employer.Here are some statements that can be made in this regard.“A full-ti me position in this company is defined as a 40-hour workweek and a part-time position is defined as a 20-hour workweek (excluding time for meals).”“This company wants its employees to be able to deliver maximum output in any way they feel comfortable, so we provide flexible working hours and telecommuting options for those who thrive more in non-traditional working hours.”CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCTAs an employer, you must state the policies and procedures of the company for a variety of issues in order to establish professionalism and maintain your company’s sense of culture and ethics. For some industries, this may include a dress code where employees must wear a particular outfit to represent the firm.Other aspects to consider are discipline and behavior, especially pertaining to sexual harassment as well as racial and gender discrimination. To establish a safe and fair working environment for all employees, these things should be described in detail. You want to be a pr ogressive company, not a regressive one.Conflict resolution is another matter that should definitely be addressed because you never know when a bicker between employees escalates and gets out of hand.It is wise to include a paragraph of general professional conduct that is expected of employees at your company. It may go something like this:“This company expects its employees to adhere to a standard of professional conduct, integrity, and dignity. This ensures that the work environment is safe, comfortable, and productive to everybody. Employees should be respectful, courteous, and mindful of other’s feelings and needs. Cooperation between coworkers is expected. Individuals who are deemed to act in an unprofessional manner may be subject to disciplinary action.”Dress CodeThe clothes that your employees wear is a reflection of the company’s working ethic and style.For instance, consider a law firm. They represent clients in a variety of cases and must always be very professio nal in the way they speak and in the way they present themselves. Lawyers must wear formal business attire, dark-colored suits with a white shirt and a matching tie, to convey their sense of professionalism and seriousness.On the other hand, an up-and-coming tech startup will have a different approach. They prioritize open-mindedness and creativity above all else, and one of the ways the company creates that working environment is by letting employees wear casual clothing. Business casual is their go-to outfit, even for the founders who happen to be very young.Depending on your industry and company’s desired image, you will need to set specific requirements on what employees should wear to work. Mentioning what employees can and cannot wear will make it easier for them to decide what their working outfit will be. In an industrial workplace like a manufacturing plant, you must specify what safety equipment they must wear in order to prevent any harm.This is how you dress up for a j ob interview. Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination PoliciesYou must explicitly state that your organization is an equal opportunity company, allowing people from all sorts of backgrounds to express themselves and work with no reservations.Being able to create a diverse and open-minded working environment will put everybody at ease and let them know that they never need to feel concerned about being who they are.A good statement to include in your manual is given below.“This company is an equal opportunity employer, prohibiting discrimination and harassment against individuals based on their race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, age, and disability. We want everyone to feel welcome and at home while working here. Every individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere free from such malpractices.” To be more specific, it would be wise to incorporate definitions of harassment and discrimination, to inform employees of what is deemed as inap propriate behavior at your company.Exemplifying them will help elucidate the matter. In case any scenario does arise, it is best to give the contact information of someone they can report to.Conflict ResolutionWhen working in a large team with numerous people, you are bound to eventually butt heads with someone who has a different view than you. You may work at the same company in the same team, but you are entitled to your own opinions and approaches to business strategies.Oftentimes, what starts as bickering between employees escalates to something out of control and a conflict ensues. Your company needs to lay down the ground rules of how to approach such scenarios.Rather than continuing to quarrel and putting everyone in the team under stress and anxiety, it would be much more productive for employees to report to their immediate supervisors who can talk to them to settle things. Communication should always be polite and respectful and personal attacks are not justified in any c ompany.By resolving the conflict amongst individuals with the help of supervisors, it will be possible to reestablish a positive working environment where people are allowed to express their ideas.USE OF TECHNOLOGYWe live in an era where everybody is connected at all times and have access to information right in their pockets. While this does sound like a positive thing, studies have shown that it can be a distraction in the workplace and an impediment to productivity and efficiency.If your employees’ jobs entail a lot of work on the computer, then the company needs to take measures to inhibit internet access. The internet is necessary to get some work done, so it will not be banned but it will be limited. The company’s network needs to ban the use of social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, as well as video streaming sites such as YouTube.It is very normal to monitor online behavior in an office, so even the email should be checked at all times to ensure no private in formation is being sent to unwanted people. Employees found to have broken this rule and who have found alternative means to bypass these restrictions will receive punishment as per the laws of the organization.A short discussion on the pros and cons of tracking workers online behavior. ATTENDANCE POLICIESEvery employee handbook must outline the attendance regulations. Your company’s manual needs to explain what constitutes as late and absent, too. Although the work schedule and working hours have been stated in a previous section, you need to state what happens to an employee’s salary if they are frequently late or absent for some days. There needs to be a systematic approach and breakdown of the salary deduction in such scenarios.Considerations can be made if employees let their employers know in advance that they are running late or not able to report to office. A notice beforehand goes a long way to help the office deal with the operations of the day. No notice whatsoever is very detrimental and unprofessional, and will be noted in performance evaluations.In addition to late arrivals and absences, your company should also address the issue of an early leave. If it is found out that an employee has left office early without finishing their assigned work, then disciplinary action will be taken. However, there are exceptions that can be made. In case of emergencies or a health related issue, employees are allowed to leave early to tend to their situation.Here is a statement your employee handbook could include regarding attendance policies:“This company does not tolerate unauthorized late arrivals, absences, and early leaves. If you are unable to attend work due to sickness or any other personal issue, you must inform your supervisor before the start of the working day to inform them of this. In case of a late arrival, let them know at what time you will be at the office and in case of an absence, notify them on which date you will be back at the office . Employees who need to leave early due to an emergency should notify their supervisor. We are very understanding in the personal matters of our employees. All we ask for is a notification beforehand.”MEDICAL AND ANNUAL PAID LEAVESEmployers know that people cannot work continuously all year round. Workers need paid leaves to help maintain their health as well provide a means of enjoying their life while working. Your company can provide an excellent work-life balance by giving employees a certain number of days for medical leaves and paid holiday leaves.Emergencies can strike at any moment and a person’s health can be put at risk at any time. Employees deserve days off in such situations. The company will state the number of medical paid leave days they have to expend throughout the year.In addition, every employer deserves time away from the office to refresh their minds, recharge their batteries, and pursue their other personal interests. Giving them a number of paid days per year for casual leave shows them that you genuinely care about their work-life balance.In addition to paid leaves, your company should also list all of the national and public holidays you will earn. This will inform them of all the holidays they will receive and can plan their paid holidays around the public holidays to enjoy a longer time off from work. Your company should very transparent in this regard.Maternity and Paternity LeavesAnother issue that your company should address is maternity and paternity leaves. Your company should be very accommodating towards would-be mothers and fathers and offer them some time away from work if they decide to become a parent in the future.When a new employee reads that the company they work for provides facilities and breaks if they become a parent, they will feel encouraged to pursue having children in the future. They know that their personal life is also being taken care of by their organization, which makes it seem more like a close, fam ily relationship rather than a distant, corporate one.Watch the following documentation and understand why its important to provide employees with the possibility of taking maternity and paternity leaves. Offering paid leaves in such situations shows that you are still willing to take care of employees financially as they rear their child. Every family needs money to raise their child, so providing continual support even when they do not come to office for some time will go a long way in building trust and loyalty for your brand.Here are some statements that you can incorporate to address different types of leaves.“Full-time employees at this company are entitled to 4 weeks of paid vacation leave per year. Assuming a 5-day workweek, that comes to 20 working days a year as paid leave for vacations. Part-time employees are entitled to 2 weeks of paid vacation leave per year. Assuming a 5-day workweek, that comes to 10 working days a year as paid leave for vacations. We value our emp loyees and want them to have a good time. You will need to inform your supervisor ahead of time so that we can adjust the work schedule and workload accordingly.”“The company offers both maternity and paternity leave for employees. For mothers, we provide 30 weeks of paid leave. For fathers, we provide 10 weeks of paid leave. In extenuating circumstances, we provide more time for our employees so that they our employees are not forced to come to work. We want our employees to come to work when they feel ready after experiencing a joyous moment in their lives.”“The company grants all employees 10 days of paid medical leave. We understand that health is a very important issue and in case of sickness or any other problem, you will be given days off to recover. You will need to inform your supervisor either on the day of being sick or beforehand, so that we are informed that you are not coming to office. In case of extreme circumstances, where the illness lasts for several days, or even several weeks, we will take necessary measures to compensate you.”KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORSAll companies expect their employees to successful do the job, but how do you measure success? How do you gauge work performance?Employees at organizations are periodically being assessed on the job, to determine whether or not they are doing it correctly and on time. Key performance indicators, or KPIs, are metrics used to determine the quality of work performance and every company has a set of KPIs that is applicable to every position in the organization.By being forthright with your KPIs in your company, employees will always know which factors of their performance are being considered for evaluation. A high-rated evaluation may result in a bonus or extra compensation, or better yet, a quick promotion up the corporate ladder. As a result, there are major incentives for the employees to work hard and work well. All of these things should be stated explicitly to get the best perfo rmance out of your company’s workforce.Performance reviews are typically based on merit and achievement. Here are some key performance indicators that you may want to incorporate in your staff handbook.DiligenceKnowledgeAttendance and PunctualityTeamwork and CooperationAssertivenessLeadership QualitiesCompliance with Company PoliciesAccepting ResponsibilityAchieving MilestonesPerseveranceThese metrics are quite generic and can be applied to all industries. In some industries, employees are required to achieve certain things so you may want to include some metrics that are very specific to that trade.For instance, in a sales and marketing job some metrics that are of great importance are revenue, cost, customer acquisition costs, etc. Determine what makes your company successful and evaluate employees based on those influencing factors. EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND SAFETYIn some industries, employees will be required to work in factories, manufacturing plants, or other environments where it may be deemed unsafe in some conditions.Working with large machinery and being exposed to dangerous chemicals can have a detrimental effect on health. In such scenarios, a company should provide employees health insurance lest something to them. You need to show your employees that you are concerned of their health and want them to be healthy and safe in case of emergencies.Apart from health insurance, every company must have a comprehensive procedure to ensure safety and security. In case of emergency, employees can follow a plan that is described in the employee handbook. In case of a fire, there should be a fire escape route that all employees must follow so that they leave the premises safely. Sometimes, a fire needs to be quickly extinguished by employees, so proper training of operating a fire extinguisher must be given.In case of an emergency, employees should notify their supervisors and get help immediately. Your company must have a specific individual who deals with healt h and safety issues when they occur, so include their contact information in the manual. Employees can directly contact this person to get immediate aid.Here are a couple of statements that can be made concerning workplace safety and security.“The organization takes necessary measures to ensure that all of our employees are working in a safe and secure environment. We have safety rules in place to protect everybody. It is expected that all employees review and completely comprehend every point of our workplace safety policies.”“In case of any emergency event, employees must inform their supervisor immediately. If you observe any sort of unusual or unsafe behavior in the workplace, inform someone straightaway to resolve the matter.”“If somebody is badly hurt, experiences a burn, or is subjected to any other form of harm, call the fire department or the paramedics immediately. If you hear the fire alarm or any other emergency siren, follow the fire escape route and safely le ave the building. A supervisor will tend to all employees and you will only be allowed back inside when they deem it safe to do so.”BENEFITSEmployees receive more than just a paycheck every month from your organization. Your company has provided extra benefits for its employees to keep them coming back to work. Your employee handbook will provide details of everything you offer them, such as a retirement plan, unemployment money, pension, overtime, and compensation of travel expenses.A clear definition of each of these things should be listed in the employee handbook to clarify any confusions and accurately inform everyone of what benefits they are actually receiving. Here are some example statements you can use to describe the benefits your company offers its employees.“The company has a detailed and comprehensive retirement plan installed where employees will contribute a portion of their salary and set it aside for retirement.”“Our company offers compensation to employees who get laid off for reasons out of their control. Sometimes, a company must restructure itself for future projects and lays off employees who are deemed unnecessary or do not quite fit the mold any longer. We reimburse those employees for 12 months so that they are able to get back on their feet and not become financial insecure.”“The company offers employees who have worked for us for at least 5 years a pension scheme. After retiring, they will continue to receive a small amount of money to help them continue their lives. We take care of our long-standing employees when they are here and when they have retired.”“While there is a specific work schedule and number of working hours per week in place, we also value continued contribution beyond the normal conditions. We heavily reward our employees who work extra hours and come in on weekends to get the job done ahead of time. In such scenarios, they will receive a 50% increase on their hourly salary. We want to add incentive s for employees who want to push the boundaries and go the extra mile for the goals of the firm.”EXAMPLES OF EMPLOYEE HANDBOOKSFollowing are some examples that you can use for inspiration.[slideshare id=26839246doc=22squaredhandbook-131003152139-phpapp02w=710h=400][slideshare id=51724220doc=employeehandbook2015-150817151718-lva1-app6892type=dw=710h=400][slideshare id=33764345doc=peoplehandbooklowres-140421121536-phpapp01type=dw=710h=400][slideshare id=45097342doc=fd23692c-2b0b-4502-97ae-4202bf61e6f1-150224174654-conversion-gate01type=dw=710h=400]CONCLUSION If you have a supervisory role in a firm, chances are you have handed your employees a staff handbook when they first joined. Have you ever wondered what is in it or why you even have to deliver it to employees? Employee handbook, employee manual, staff handbook â€" they go by many names, but they are all the same thing.It is the very first document a new recruit will receive from their employer on their first day of the job. It contains information of the company policies and procedures and conveys the company culture. It effectively communicates everything that is great about your company and the processes and procedures that occur in your firm.The handbook details the company history, current operations, working hours of your position, medical and annual paid leave policies, list of benefits, and a slew of other things we will address in this guide. When employees know what is happening behind the scenes, then they never feel overwhelmed by working at any organization.Poor employe e handbooks are usually written in a complex style that is too formal and deceptively difficult to understand with too much jargon. On the other hand, a well-written employee handbook has a more casual tone that is user-friendly and with no ambiguity, making it easier to understand.While this particular guide will not focus so much on the style and manner of the writing rather than the actual content of the handbook, we will address the writing style when we provide examples for each of the sections. Therefore, this guide will primarily encompass the actual content of an employee handbook and highlight how to write them.We have compiled a long list of sections a good employee handbook should mention in order to cover all bases and bring an employee up to speed on everything. This is a general structure of an employee handbook that can be used across all industries, since they must abide by certain rules and regulations and guarantee certain things. © Shutterstock.com | ooddysmile stockerAnything specific to an industry will need to be considered separately. The order in which they have been listed here should also be followed when writing your own employee manual.DISCLAIMEROften overlooked by many smaller firms, every employee handbook must include a disclaimer at the very beginning. While it may not be the very first thing most people think of when reading a staff handbook, this is a quintessential segment to ensure complications do not arise in the future.By including a disclaimer, you are protecting yourself from litigation in the case an employee decides to bring it up for reference later on if an employment problem arises. It is always placed in the introduction of the manual. You may forget to incorporate the other topics mentioned in this guide, but you should never omit the disclaimer.The disclaimer should clearly state that the employee manual is by no means a legal, binding job contract. They are two entirely differe nt entities and should be treated as such. An employee manual does not guarantee continuous employment and it should clearly express the “at-will employment” nature.The following points are examples of disclaimers to include that protect the company.“This handbook only contains general information and guidelines. It is not a binding, legal contract and does not act as a contractual right to remain employed at the company.”“Your employment may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the company. Likewise, you are able to resign at any time.”By stating these disclaimers, you are preventing terminated employees from suing you in the future for a breach of contract. Since you have stated that the employee manual is NOT a job contract, there are no legal grounds for litigation based on the manual.COMPANY PROFILEThis is the first big section of an employee handbook. We would argue that it is in fact the longest and most detailed section of the handbook. It is composed o f several sub-sections, like the company’s mission and vision, history, culture, and current state of affairs.Some of these things may be perceived as a refresher for new recruits who have already read about the company during their application process.However, these must be restated to instill the company’s ideals and beliefs into their minds to get them onboard and in harmony from day one.Company Mission and Vision StatementsWhy do we do what we do? What are our goals?These are some questions that every organization has to answer in order to successfully achieve what it sets out to do. Otherwise, the company will crumble from a lack of aim and purpose.Every company has a mission statement that states the firm’s goals, agendas, and philosophies. Likewise, every company also has a vision statement that says where the company intends to head in the future.By informing your employees of the organization’s mission and vision, you are showing and teaching them what they need to do to become successful in your company â€" a sense of direction and purpose.Mission StatementA brief and succinct statement that expresses what the company does and why it exists. It communicates the purpose of the firm. Why are we in this business? A good mission statement should answer three key questions:Who is your target customer? (Key Markets)What products or services do we provide to customers? (Contribution)What makes our products or services unique? (Distinction)A mission statement describes an organization’s function, markets, and competitive advantage. It plays a major role in a firm’s strategic planning. Studies have shown that when employees know precisely what their product or service is, who it is for, and what makes it special, then they are able to perform at their highest level. It should not be complex, rather very direct and accurate.Ever wondered why so many mission statements are totally non-sense. Heres why. We have provided a couple of examples of good m ission statements.“To inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time” â€" Starbucks“To refresh the world, to inspire moments of optimism and happiness, to create value and make a difference” â€" Coca-Cola Corporation“We will market the most appealing and widely worn casual clothing in the world. We will clothe the world.” â€" Levi’s Strauss and Co.Vision StatementA statement outlining the company’s roadmap. It expresses where the firm sees itself in the future and what it hopes and intends to accomplish by then. Where do we see ourselves in the future?A good vision statement is able to tell employees what the objectives and goals of the corporation are. It must clearly and concisely declare where the company will reach after a certain number of years.By using foresight and statistical data, it is certainly possible to roughly estimate where you see yourself as a company in the future. Unlike a mission statement that talks abo ut the operations and uniqueness of the company, a vision statement describes where the organization will be in the future.Every company has hopes and dreams. All of them start small, yet they aspire to accomplish big things. If you are successfully able to convey this message to your employees, then they will acquire a sense of purpose and meaning in their work.We have listed a few good examples of vision statements.“Our vision is to be the most customer-centric company on the planet; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they want to buy online” â€" Amazon“Empower people through great software anytime, anywhere, on any device” â€" Microsoft“We envision a world where everybody leads better lives because of us.” â€" IKEA Company HistoryWhen discussing the company’s mission and vision statements, it must always be in the context of the organization’s early beginnings. The history of the company should be described to new employees to put the mission and vision into context. It provides a reference point for everybody in the company, to remind them what the company was in the past in relation to what it is now and how that shapes what and where it wants to be in the future.Organizations, especially large corporations, once had humble beginnings. Businesses like Toyota, Apple, Walmart, and Sony are household names now and raking in billions of dollars in revenue annually, but there was a time when they were not even a blip on the radar.Your company was in such a situation, too, but you are now in a place that you can be proud of. That is a story worth telling, a story of success. New recruits, especially the younger ones, may lack a certain amount of confidence to achieve their goals. Describing how a small firm can grow and accomplish many things will spark genuine interest in all employees at the firm and show them that in fact anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.Talking about the founders and how they toiled day in and day out will give employees a sense of the company’s culture and work ethic. Mentioning all of their little accomplishments along the way to present day will put things into perspective for employees.This will convince new recruits that they can also achieve their ambitious goals if they reach their milestones. There is no need to go into extensive detail, but telling a short story will inspire employees to come to work.Working CultureCorporate culture, or working culture, is the collection of shared values, attitudes, standards, and beliefs that characterize the members of a company and define its structure.Different companies in various industries across the globe operate in different ways. In some companies, the communication channels are very flat and horizontal, promoting equality amongst the ranks. In other companies, there is a clearly defined hierarchy and vertical structure, with individuals in higher-ranking positions always making the decisions.Co mmunication is the most important part of working at a company with other professionals, so stating clearly how communication is conducted between individuals will help employees fit in and adapt. Many new recruits are uncertain how to interact with their colleagues without overstepping any boundaries and presenting themselves as disrespectful.Clearly defining your organization’s working culture in terms of communication, teamwork, and leadership styles will aid them in learning to quickly fit in.We have compiled a couple of some well-written culture statements.“We work together within a team environment of mutual respect, honesty, and integrity.”“We approach our craft with a proactive, positive, and enthusiastic attitude and maintain an open environment where creativity and curiosity are encouraged.”Learn from Hubspot why your company culture is super important for business success.[slideshare id=17415022doc=culturecode-v7-130320111259-phpapp02w=710h=400]Current Operation s and StatisticsAll employees should know what the company is currently doing and how it fairing in its respective sector. If your company happens to be a tech firm, figures such as annual revenue and number of patents issued play a key role in determining success. Market share of the products in various sectors should also be stated.For other industries, relevant and important figures should be stated in the handbook. Employees should be informed of such statistics so that they know the company’s current success levels.An organizational chart depicting the entire structure of the company will help employees understand how the company operates between the various departments. This will make even a very large and complex organization very easy to navigate. Your job as an employer in a supervisory role is to make the employees feel at home. Describing everything about the company will help them get acquainted with their corporate family.Typical figures to include in an employee hand book are:the number of employees working at the firmthe number of locations around the worlda detailed list of the products and services being offeredWORK SCHEDULESAn employee handbook should explicitly detail the general working hours for all employees at the company. You want to describe the provisions for both part-time and full-time working hours to your employees. Clearly defining them will help the employees understand and structure their workweek accordingly.The employee handbook should explicitly state that while there is a consensus for the typical working hours of employees, your job contract will specifically state your working hours for your given position. This will help clear any confusion for those employees who are not in either the part-time or full-time categories, but rather working on a contractual basis or as a consultant.If your company promotes flexible working hours to allow staff to balance their work and home life, then this should definitely be incorporate d in the employee manual. It will give your employees a peace of mind that their work-life balance is being taken into consideration by their employer.Here are some statements that can be made in this regard.“A full-time position in this company is defined as a 40-hour workweek and a part-time position is defined as a 20-hour workweek (excluding time for meals).”“This company wants its employees to be able to deliver maximum output in any way they feel comfortable, so we provide flexible working hours and telecommuting options for those who thrive more in non-traditional working hours.”CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCTAs an employer, you must state the policies and procedures of the company for a variety of issues in order to establish professionalism and maintain your company’s sense of culture and ethics. For some industries, this may include a dress code where employees must wear a particular outfit to represent the firm.Other aspects to consider are discipline and behavior, especially pertaining to sexual harassment as well as racial and gender discrimination. To establish a safe and fair working environment for all employees, these things should be described in detail. You want to be a progressive company, not a regressive one.Conflict resolution is another matter that should definitely be addressed because you never know when a bicker between employees escalates and gets out of hand.It is wise to include a paragraph of general professional conduct that is expected of employees at your company. It may go something like this:“This company expects its employees to adhere to a standard of professional conduct, integrity, and dignity. This ensures that the work environment is safe, comfortable, and productive to everybody. Employees should be respectful, courteous, and mindful of other’s feelings and needs. Cooperation between coworkers is expected. Individuals who are deemed to act in an unprofessional manner may be subject to disciplinary action.†Dress CodeThe clothes that your employees wear is a reflection of the company’s working ethic and style.For instance, consider a law firm. They represent clients in a variety of cases and must always be very professional in the way they speak and in the way they present themselves. Lawyers must wear formal business attire, dark-colored suits with a white shirt and a matching tie, to convey their sense of professionalism and seriousness.On the other hand, an up-and-coming tech startup will have a different approach. They prioritize open-mindedness and creativity above all else, and one of the ways the company creates that working environment is by letting employees wear casual clothing. Business casual is their go-to outfit, even for the founders who happen to be very young.Depending on your industry and company’s desired image, you will need to set specific requirements on what employees should wear to work. Mentioning what employees can and cannot wear will make it easier for them to decide what their working outfit will be. In an industrial workplace like a manufacturing plant, you must specify what safety equipment they must wear in order to prevent any harm.This is how you dress up for a job interview. Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination PoliciesYou must explicitly state that your organization is an equal opportunity company, allowing people from all sorts of backgrounds to express themselves and work with no reservations.Being able to create a diverse and open-minded working environment will put everybody at ease and let them know that they never need to feel concerned about being who they are.A good statement to include in your manual is given below.“This company is an equal opportunity employer, prohibiting discrimination and harassment against individuals based on their race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, age, and disability. We want everyone to feel welcome and at home while working here. Every individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere free from such malpractices.” To be more specific, it would be wise to incorporate definitions of harassment and discrimination, to inform employees of what is deemed as inappropriate behavior at your company.Exemplifying them will help elucidate the matter. In case any scenario does arise, it is best to give the contact information of someone they can report to.Conflict ResolutionWhen working in a large team with numerous people, you are bound to eventually butt heads with someone who has a different view than you. You may work at the same company in the same team, but you are entitled to your own opinions and approaches to business strategies.Oftentimes, what starts as bickering between employees escalates to something out of control and a conflict ensues. Your company needs to lay down the ground rules of how to approach such scenarios.Rather than continuing to quarrel and putting everyone in the team under stress and anxiety, it woul d be much more productive for employees to report to their immediate supervisors who can talk to them to settle things. Communication should always be polite and respectful and personal attacks are not justified in any company.By resolving the conflict amongst individuals with the help of supervisors, it will be possible to reestablish a positive working environment where people are allowed to express their ideas.USE OF TECHNOLOGYWe live in an era where everybody is connected at all times and have access to information right in their pockets. While this does sound like a positive thing, studies have shown that it can be a distraction in the workplace and an impediment to productivity and efficiency.If your employees’ jobs entail a lot of work on the computer, then the company needs to take measures to inhibit internet access. The internet is necessary to get some work done, so it will not be banned but it will be limited. The company’s network needs to ban the use of social medi a platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, as well as video streaming sites such as YouTube.It is very normal to monitor online behavior in an office, so even the email should be checked at all times to ensure no private information is being sent to unwanted people. Employees found to have broken this rule and who have found alternative means to bypass these restrictions will receive punishment as per the laws of the organization.A short discussion on the pros and cons of tracking workers online behavior. ATTENDANCE POLICIESEvery employee handbook must outline the attendance regulations. Your company’s manual needs to explain what constitutes as late and absent, too. Although the work schedule and working hours have been stated in a previous section, you need to state what happens to an employee’s salary if they are frequently late or absent for some days. There needs to be a systematic approach and breakdown of the salary deduction in such scenarios.Considerations can be made if e mployees let their employers know in advance that they are running late or not able to report to office. A notice beforehand goes a long way to help the office deal with the operations of the day. No notice whatsoever is very detrimental and unprofessional, and will be noted in performance evaluations.In addition to late arrivals and absences, your company should also address the issue of an early leave. If it is found out that an employee has left office early without finishing their assigned work, then disciplinary action will be taken. However, there are exceptions that can be made. In case of emergencies or a health related issue, employees are allowed to leave early to tend to their situation.Here is a statement your employee handbook could include regarding attendance policies:“This company does not tolerate unauthorized late arrivals, absences, and early leaves. If you are unable to attend work due to sickness or any other personal issue, you must inform your supervisor bef ore the start of the working day to inform them of this. In case of a late arrival, let them know at what time you will be at the office and in case of an absence, notify them on which date you will be back at the office. Employees who need to leave early due to an emergency should notify their supervisor. We are very understanding in the personal matters of our employees. All we ask for is a notification beforehand.”MEDICAL AND ANNUAL PAID LEAVESEmployers know that people cannot work continuously all year round. Workers need paid leaves to help maintain their health as well provide a means of enjoying their life while working. Your company can provide an excellent work-life balance by giving employees a certain number of days for medical leaves and paid holiday leaves.Emergencies can strike at any moment and a person’s health can be put at risk at any time. Employees deserve days off in such situations. The company will state the number of medical paid leave days they have to e xpend throughout the year.In addition, every employer deserves time away from the office to refresh their minds, recharge their batteries, and pursue their other personal interests. Giving them a number of paid days per year for casual leave shows them that you genuinely care about their work-life balance.In addition to paid leaves, your company should also list all of the national and public holidays you will earn. This will inform them of all the holidays they will receive and can plan their paid holidays around the public holidays to enjoy a longer time off from work. Your company should very transparent in this regard.Maternity and Paternity LeavesAnother issue that your company should address is maternity and paternity leaves. Your company should be very accommodating towards would-be mothers and fathers and offer them some time away from work if they decide to become a parent in the future.When a new employee reads that the company they work for provides facilities and breaks if they become a parent, they will feel encouraged to pursue having children in the future. They know that their personal life is also being taken care of by their organization, which makes it seem more like a close, family relationship rather than a distant, corporate one.Watch the following documentation and understand why its important to provide employees with the possibility of taking maternity and paternity leaves. Offering paid leaves in such situations shows that you are still willing to take care of employees financially as they rear their child. Every family needs money to raise their child, so providing continual support even when they do not come to office for some time will go a long way in building trust and loyalty for your brand.Here are some statements that you can incorporate to address different types of leaves.“Full-time employees at this company are entitled to 4 weeks of paid vacation leave per year. Assuming a 5-day workweek, that comes to 20 working days a year as paid leave for vacations. Part-time employees are entitled to 2 weeks of paid vacation leave per year. Assuming a 5-day workweek, that comes to 10 working days a year as paid leave for vacations. We value our employees and want them to have a good time. You will need to inform your supervisor ahead of time so that we can adjust the work schedule and workload accordingly.”“The company offers both maternity and paternity leave for employees. For mothers, we provide 30 weeks of paid leave. For fathers, we provide 10 weeks of paid leave. In extenuating circumstances, we provide more time for our employees so that they our employees are not forced to come to work. We want our employees to come to work when they feel ready after experiencing a joyous moment in their lives.”“The company grants all employees 10 days of paid medical leave. We understand that health is a very important issue and in case of sickness or any other problem, you will be given days off to recover. Y ou will need to inform your supervisor either on the day of being sick or beforehand, so that we are informed that you are not coming to office. In case of extreme circumstances, where the illness lasts for several days, or even several weeks, we will take necessary measures to compensate you.”KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORSAll companies expect their employees to successful do the job, but how do you measure success? How do you gauge work performance?Employees at organizations are periodically being assessed on the job, to determine whether or not they are doing it correctly and on time. Key performance indicators, or KPIs, are metrics used to determine the quality of work performance and every company has a set of KPIs that is applicable to every position in the organization.By being forthright with your KPIs in your company, employees will always know which factors of their performance are being considered for evaluation. A high-rated evaluation may result in a bonus or extra compens ation, or better yet, a quick promotion up the corporate ladder. As a result, there are major incentives for the employees to work hard and work well. All of these things should be stated explicitly to get the best performance out of your company’s workforce.Performance reviews are typically based on merit and achievement. Here are some key performance indicators that you may want to incorporate in your staff handbook.DiligenceKnowledgeAttendance and PunctualityTeamwork and CooperationAssertivenessLeadership QualitiesCompliance with Company PoliciesAccepting ResponsibilityAchieving MilestonesPerseveranceThese metrics are quite generic and can be applied to all industries. In some industries, employees are required to achieve certain things so you may want to include some metrics that are very specific to that trade.For instance, in a sales and marketing job some metrics that are of great importance are revenue, cost, customer acquisition costs, etc. Determine what makes your compa ny successful and evaluate employees based on those influencing factors. EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND SAFETYIn some industries, employees will be required to work in factories, manufacturing plants, or other environments where it may be deemed unsafe in some conditions.Working with large machinery and being exposed to dangerous chemicals can have a detrimental effect on health. In such scenarios, a company should provide employees health insurance lest something to them. You need to show your employees that you are concerned of their health and want them to be healthy and safe in case of emergencies.Apart from health insurance, every company must have a comprehensive procedure to ensure safety and security. In case of emergency, employees can follow a plan that is described in the employee handbook. In case of a fire, there should be a fire escape route that all employees must follow so that they leave the premises safely. Sometimes, a fire needs to be quickly extinguished by employees, so p roper training of operating a fire extinguisher must be given.In case of an emergency, employees should notify their supervisors and get help immediately. Your company must have a specific individual who deals with health and safety issues when they occur, so include their contact information in the manual. Employees can directly contact this person to get immediate aid.Here are a couple of statements that can be made concerning workplace safety and security.“The organization takes necessary measures to ensure that all of our employees are working in a safe and secure environment. We have safety rules in place to protect everybody. It is expected that all employees review and completely comprehend every point of our workplace safety policies.”“In case of any emergency event, employees must inform their supervisor immediately. If you observe any sort of unusual or unsafe behavior in the workplace, inform someone straightaway to resolve the matter.”“If somebody is badly hurt , experiences a burn, or is subjected to any other form of harm, call the fire department or the paramedics immediately. If you hear the fire alarm or any other emergency siren, follow the fire escape route and safely leave the building. A supervisor will tend to all employees and you will only be allowed back inside when they deem it safe to do so.”BENEFITSEmployees receive more than just a paycheck every month from your organization. Your company has provided extra benefits for its employees to keep them coming back to work. Your employee handbook will provide details of everything you offer them, such as a retirement plan, unemployment money, pension, overtime, and compensation of travel expenses.A clear definition of each of these things should be listed in the employee handbook to clarify any confusions and accurately inform everyone of what benefits they are actually receiving. Here are some example statements you can use to describe the benefits your company offers its empl oyees.“The company has a detailed and comprehensive retirement plan installed where employees will contribute a portion of their salary and set it aside for retirement.”“Our company offers compensation to employees who get laid off for reasons out of their control. Sometimes, a company must restructure itself for future projects and lays off employees who are deemed unnecessary or do not quite fit the mold any longer. We reimburse those employees for 12 months so that they are able to get back on their feet and not become financial insecure.”“The company offers employees who have worked for us for at least 5 years a pension scheme. After retiring, they will continue to receive a small amount of money to help them continue their lives. We take care of our long-standing employees when they are here and when they have retired.”“While there is a specific work schedule and number of working hours per week in place, we also value continued contribution beyond the normal cond itions. We heavily reward our employees who work extra hours and come in on weekends to get the job done ahead of time. In such scenarios, they will receive a 50% increase on their hourly salary. We want to add incentives for employees who want to push the boundaries and go the extra mile for the goals of the firm.”EXAMPLES OF EMPLOYEE HANDBOOKSFollowing are some examples that you can use for inspiration.[slideshare id=26839246doc=22squaredhandbook-131003152139-phpapp02w=710h=400][slideshare id=51724220doc=employeehandbook2015-150817151718-lva1-app6892type=dw=710h=400][slideshare id=33764345doc=peoplehandbooklowres-140421121536-phpapp01type=dw=710h=400][slideshare id=45097342doc=fd23692c-2b0b-4502-97ae-4202bf61e6f1-150224174654-conversion-gate01type=dw=710h=400]CONCLUSIONWe have covered the most important segments of an employee handbook that will effectively address the most pressing matters for employees to know. We have stated that a disclaimer is a very important part at the i ntroduction of such a manual, to state the fact that an employee handbook should not be mistaken for a job contract. The two are not alike and serve different purposes. Incorporating all of the above mentioned points will result in a handbook that is complete.We also recommend including two copies of a written acknowledgement or confirmation form that must be signed by both the employer and the employee, confirming that they have delivered and received the handbook, respectively. One copy of this acknowledgement will be kept by the employer in their personnel records while the employee will hold the other copy.It must be emphasized once again that unlike a job contract, which is permanent for as long as an employee works at a company, an employee manual is considered a temporary document. The employer can and in fact will need to make changes as the business grows and expands its operations. This is a very normal thing to do.We suggest reevaluating and updating the employee handbook once a year to keep it up-to-date. Asking your older employers what works and what does not is a good way to retain relevant information while omitting unnecessary information in the manual.Our guide on writing a good employee manual is applicable in almost any industry. For those companies looking to be more creative, you can incorporate some of your own ideas to make it stand out.

Othello - A Play That Transcends Time Essay - 941 Words

Only by considering a range of perspectives can we truly appreciate the world of Shakespeare’s Othello. It is through my exploration of these perspectives and their relationship with changing morals and values that has enriched my understanding of the play. One such reading of the play challenges the marginalisation and objectification of woman in a patriarchal Venetian society, while taking into account the changing role of women in modern society. Another interpretation of Othello examines its post colonial elements through the protagonist Othello, and his insecurities of being a black man in a white society. My interpretation of the play as a portrayal of the values existing in Shakespeare’s time is filtered through these†¦show more content†¦However the textual integrity of the play can be questioned. In terms of its pacing, Othello’s transition from a love that overcame social boundaries to murderous hate is almost too abrupt, to the point that it is unconvincing and unrealistic. The fact that Othello blindly follows the words of Iago, without once consulting Desdemona, takes away the play’s realism. On the other hand, this can be attributed to the gender system of the time, and Othello’s insecurities about his race and age. Stage directions instruct Othello and Iago to kneel, and to modern audiences this symbolises that the bond between the two men is stronger than marriage representative of the patriarchal society of Shakespeare’s time. The play reflects the patriarchal values of society by categorising females into the three main stereotypes: the housewife, whore and innocent virgin are Emilia, Bianca and Desdemona respectively. Women in Othello’s world stand for a marginalised group, outsiders in a man’s world and their role in society is described with â€Å"[men] are all but stomachs, and we are all but food†, reflecting contemporary conventional views. Bianco and Emil ia portray the negative typecast of women and are slandered by Iago, who accuses them of being â€Å"pictures out of doors†¦players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds†. This fits with the Madonna-Whore Complex, where women are either sexually promiscuous orShow MoreRelatedOthello, By William Shakespeare Essay1659 Words   |  7 PagesCritics have debated the significance of Othello’s race in terms of portraying his identity for a long time. The negative connotations of â€Å"blackness† have led to the creation of many racial constructs associated with the â€Å"Moor†; this denigration has infused the opinions of many critics, such as Albert Gerard, proposing that Othello’s â€Å"negroid physiognomy† reaches down to the â€Å"deepest levels of personality† and that he is a â€Å"barbarian†. However, many other critics like Edward Berry and Martin OrkinRead MoreA Relationship Between A White And A Black Mothe r1313 Words   |  6 Pagesmusic. It is unclear if Morrison is trying to make a comparison between a white and a black mother (the latter is usually reputed to be not-so-good-mothers, especially in American culture). It is challenging to separate race issue in the events of this play. Desdemona tells Barbary that she is color blind when the latter tells her she was just a slave due to the color of her skin. Desdemona tries to show Barbary the bond between them by countering the claim that her whiteness makes a difference. â€Å"I hadRead MoreOthello Speech815 Words   |  4 Pageshuman condition in Othello. Give reference to one character and one theme. For centuries, William Shakespeare has captured the hearts of men and women with his tragedies. His plays explore human existence and raise questions about what it means to be human; allowing the audience to relate to his characters despite the era in which the play was produced. Good morning students, today I am going to discuss what role the human condition plays in the plot of Shakespeare’s play, Othello. In ‘The tragedyRead MorePractice HSC essay1060 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Shakespeare’s play ‘Othello’ and the contemporary appropriation of a film ‘O’ by Tim Blake Nelson are based on the societal values and morals of their time. Issues such as racism, the use of language and deception are timeless making them evident throughout both contexts, hence the engagements in both textual forms. Differing contexts convey concerns in different ways through the use of diverse techniques. For example ‘Othello’ is a play which uses props, stage positioning and lighting comparedRead MoreEssay on Othello; Jealousy1702 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout Shakespeare’s Othello, the major theme of jealousy is apparent. The tragedy Othello focuses on the doom of Othello and the other major characters as a result of jealousy. In Shakespeare’s Othello, jealousy is portrayed through the major characters of Iago and Othello. It utterly corrupts their lives because it causes Iago to show his true self, which in turn triggers Othello to undergo an absolute conversion that destroys the lives of their friends. Othello represents how jealousy,Read MoreRace, Religion, and the Significance of Stereotypes in Othello1688 Words   |  7 Pagesa specific time period. In particular, one can discover much about the prevailing attitudes of a society through its literature. Shakespeare, specifically, has written multiple works that incorporate generalizations of his era. For example, Shylock from The Merchant of Venice served as the archetypal Jew of the late 16th century. Othello explicitly includes race and religion as a fundamental part of the motivations behind the characters’ actions. In Othello, Shakespeare portrays Othello as a characterRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s All The World s A Stage 1540 Words   |  7 Pagesliterature within his tragedies (William Shakespeare 1). The generation of people today have a much different definition of tragedies than people did during the Shakespearean times. Shakespeare’s tragedies involve a protagonist whose character is developed so that it is clear that he is a heroic figure in the setting of the play, but he has a flaw which leads to his downfall and accompanying tragic consequences. When we hear the word tragedy today, we immediately think of a large mass of innocent deathsRead MoreEssay about Universal truth (Shakespeare)1860 Words   |  8 Pagesboth â€Å"Othello† and â€Å"Oedipus Rex† to a great extent, the emotions provoked by familiar human experiences are acceptable to all people of all times. It is a fact that â€Å"Human nature remains the same (Kiernan Ryan 1989).† Both plays explore issues surrounding emotions like love, envy, jealousy and pride provoked by life experiences such as racism, fate, rifts between parent and child, a quest for position through deception or for justice or an intoxicating sense of being all powerful which transcend timeRead MoreEssay about Comparing Shakespeares Othello and Nelsons O2076 Words   |  9 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s Othello Tim B lake Nelson’s â€Å"O† each demonstrate the issues of their respective contexts through the chosen mediums of both composers. Shakespeare’s Othello uses the medium of theatre to present ideas such as jealousy, appearance versus reality and racism through a variety of literary techniques while also encompassing the conventions of a classic Shakespearean tragedy. These ideas remain universally relevant in Blake Nelson’s modern day adaptation â€Å"O† which parallels the ideasRead MoreOthello, By William Shakespeare1825 Words   |  8 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s plays transcends time and is renowned for their captivating plots and complex characters. Othello by William Shakespeare is a tragedy play that portrays major themes such as racism, manipulation, and jealousy just to name a few. Throughout the whole play, these themes are represented through the conniving character from the play, Iago. Out of all the plays Shakespeare has written, Iago is believed to be the most complex villain of all times. During the play, Othello, a black military

Rottenness in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay - 971 Words

Denmark is a land wreaked by unnatural turmoil. From the opening scene we can infer that â€Å"something is rotten in the state of Denmark†. Throughout the play Shakespeare gives us insight into the inner rottenness of Denmark. In Claudius we see a deceptive, scheming politician and murderer. From his associate Polonius we see the unholy acts of sanctioned spying. Hamlet undermines the true Christian principles for which a â€Å"divine† King would have stood. Gertrude herself lends to the pervading atmosphere of distrust and uncertainty in Denmark. With only a month having passed between the point of the King’s burial and her remarriage to Claudius, Hamlet explores the callous indifference of a mother towards the feelings of a son, and†¦show more content†¦The Ghost’s moral ambiguity is revealed in greater depth during conversation with Hamlet. The Ghost of Old Hamlet seems to embody the dark state of Denmark when, instead of asking for pity, it asks for revenge – a morally dubious proposition, certainly by Christian standards. â€Å"Let not the royal bed of Denmark be/ A couch for luxury and damned incest.† The distinct imagery of the Ghost’s speech in Act I gives us some insight into the depths of corruption in Denmark. We are told in no uncertain terms of the â€Å"adulterate beast† that is Claudius. And so the rottenness in Denmark is further reinforced by calls for the murder of the King. Claudius is himself an embodiment of much of what is wrong in the state of Denmark. In his maiden speech to the court he says, â€Å"With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage.† Such equivocation and twisting of the natural order is common in Claudius, a character portrayed as being morally bankrupt. Hamlet picks up on this unnatural state of affairs in his first soliloquy, tenaciously stating: â€Å"How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable/ Seems to me all the uses of this world!† then adding, â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢tis an unweeded garden/ That grows to seed, things rank and gross in nature.† We see the rottenness in Claudius’ soul at various points in the play, but it is most clearly evident in the commissioning of Rosencrantz, GuildensternShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet - The Moral Corruption Essay2770 Words   |  12 Pages William Shakespeare’s Hamlet has been widely regarded as one of the greatest tragedies ever written. One prominent theme exemplified in this particular play is the theme of rottenness or decay. Shakespeare uniquely uses disease, rotting, and decay in order to reveal the manifestation and consequence of moral corruption. Physical corruption mirrors the moral corruption within the characters in the play. The moral corruption in Denmark is showcased for the readers throughout the play by images ofRead MoreAnalysis Of Shakespeare s Hamlet 1162 Words   |  5 PagesAgapay Ms. Maloney AP Literature and Composition November 17, 2015 Hamlet â€Å"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark† (I, iv, 90). In other words, something is not right. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the young prince, Hamlet, experiences numerous dilemmas in the country. In order for the country to remain stable, each character must follow the moral. As the play moves forward, Shakespeare uncovers the real extent of ‘rottenness’ coming from several characters. Rotten can be either physical or mentalRead MoreSomething Is Rotten in the State of Denmark Essays741 Words   |  3 PagesIntroduction: William Shakespeares Hamlet has been considered the greatest tragedy to ever be written. Shakespeare develops the theme of both physical and psychological decay and corruption through the actions, dialogues, and figurative language of the characters.   â€Å"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.† –Marcellus (Act 1, Scene 4) The following quote was taken from Act 1, Scene 4 and was said by Marcellus. Interestingly, it foreshadows one of the main themes in the play Hamlet- That is corruptionRead MoreLanguage Techniques in Hamlet by William Shakespeare Essay1087 Words   |  5 PagesLanguage Techniques in Hamlet by William Shakespeare Shakespeare used a variety of language techniques throughout Hamlet, which contribute to the themes in the play. They also help to add more meaning and understanding for the audience. Soliloquies, word play, symbols and other figurative language are some of these important techniques that enhance Hamlet. The way Shakespeare switches Read MoreHamlet: Themes of Morality, Revenge, and Obsession597 Words   |  2 Pages Hamlet: Themes of mortality, revenge, and obsession. Mortality, revenge and obsession remain very apparent throughout Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Though every character has faced challenges and trying times of their own, it is very apparent that Shakespeare’s theme of mortality is indeed intended. From the wake of Hamlet’s Father’s death to the downfall of King Claudius, readers experience complexities and intricacy through matters of life and death which allow them to understand the mind of those affectedRead MoreCorruption in Hamlet by William Shakespeare1279 Words   |  6 Pagesbecome a barrier to continual development and make it so that essentially no room remains for justice to succeed. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the destructive force of corruption is clearly exemplified through the abundance of imagery concerning decay, death, disease, sickness, and infection as the play progresses. The first and foremost example of this corruptionis the murder of King Hamlet and the resulting incestuous marriage of Gertrude and Claudius, which forms the foundation for corruption becomingRead MoreImagery of Disease in Hamlet by William Shakespeare Essay1574 Words   |  7 PagesImagery of Disease in Hamlet by William Shakespeare The disease imagery in Hamlet serves to constantly remind the reader of the initial problem in the play: King Hamlets poisoning by his brother. After hearing his father graphically describe the murder, it is constantly on Hamlets mind. For this reason, many of the images that Hamlet creates in the play are connected with disease and poison. The literal poisoning becomes symbolic of the rest of the events of the play. Remember that poisoningRead More Disease, Sickness, Death, and Decay in Hamlet Essay1535 Words   |  7 PagesDeath, Sickness, and Decay in Hamlet    Decay is defined as a gradual decline; deterioration, disease as any departure from health.   Both have many forms: physical, psychological, social, etc.   Multiple examples of illness and deterioration can be found in the tragedy Hamlet.   In this drama, Shakespeare uses imagery of decay and disease and the emotional and moral decay of his characters to enhance the atmosphere of the play.   Ã‚  Ã‚   The drama Hamlet abounds with images of decay and diseaseRead MoreHamlets Soliloquy Essay1626 Words   |  7 PagesWhen analyzing Shakespeares Hamlet through the deconstructionist lens various elements of the play come into sharper focus. Hamlets beliefs about himself and his crisis over indecision are expounded upon by the binary oppositions created in his soliloquies. Hamlet’s first soliloquy comes in act one scene two, as Hamlet reflects on the current state of events. The chief focus of this soliloquy is essentially the rottenness of the king, queen and the world in general. In this passage the readerRead MoreEssay about Hamlet3448 Words   |  14 PagesHamlet William Shakespeare is seen to many as one of the great writers in history. More specifically, the characters in his plays are reviewed and criticized and have been so for nearly four centuries. The character that many have revered Shakespeare for is perhaps the greatest such character ever in literature, Hamlet from Shakespeares Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. The commentary and response to this legend of literature is of wide array and opinion, though most, such as Pennington, believe

Hsm/230 Week 9 Checkpoint Free Essays

Capstone Checkpoint week 9 HSM/230 Capstone Checkpoint week 9 Many issues are becoming problems for seniors, one of these issues is the possibility of losing one of the most important assistance programs that human services has to offer, the Medicare and Medicaid assistance programs for health and well-being of the seniors in California. This issue has been relevant for many years; however in recent years the California Legislature has been unable to successfully plan a budget that would be considered sound. Thus, at this point the legislature is considering cutting some of the programs of human services or cutting back on the funding to these programs. We will write a custom essay sample on Hsm/230 Week 9 Checkpoint or any similar topic only for you Order Now According to Diane Rowland ScD. and Barbara Lyons, PhD. (1996). Without Medicaid’s assistance, the cost of basic medical care can impede access to care and erode financial security for low income elderly people. This is now a problem, for example my mother has a social security benefit of 650. 00 a month, and if she had to pay her medical care and prescription out of this income, her income would only be 300. 00 a month. This is more than twice the poverty level today. This is of great concern to human services agencies in the United States. Most of the elderly have paid into these programs for many years, expecting assistance as they retired; however, this is eroding away. In order to rectify this issue, California along with other states facing this issue, needs to come up with a balanced budget that does not exceed the income they are receiving at the time of the budget making process. The legislature cannot â€Å"expect† to make a different amount than what is in black and white. To predict that they would be making a larger amount only makes the budget worthless, a budget would need to be accurate and overspending must stop in order to rectify this situation. If I were in charge of this type of program, I would look into privatization of a portion and look for subordinates that would be willing to donate, or fund this program for the poor elderly of the United States. Also I would look into how many actually are citizens that are receiving this benefit without payment into the program. This is a huge issue, many illegal immigrants are receiving these benefits and have never paid into the program, therefore are actually ineligible for the benefit. I would propose that these recipients be placed on the welfare program for illegal immigrants and taken off of the assistance for the poor elderly clientele. Is this ethical, I think so, I do not think it is ethical for one to receive benefits if they have not met the criteria or prerequisite to receive this benefit. How to cite Hsm/230 Week 9 Checkpoint, Papers

ICT Educational Tour Narrative Report Essay Example For Students

ICT Educational Tour Narrative Report Essay About the Tour Learning is not only gained in school but also from the exposure outside the school premises, according to the tour committee on its rationale. Through this, they convince us to join the tour, The B. S. Information Technology Educational Tour 2013 In Manila. With the effort of everybody especially the faculty It happened last December 2-5, 2013. The purpose of it is not just for self-satisfaction but for the improvement of ones mind in terms of learning knowledge, actual experience both n IT and form good camaraderie between fourth and third year students. Furthermore, it let the students to have an actual observation on how the different technological Industries operate. Topics Learned As we visited different industries, somehow we learned from them. Like in TOTE Animation and Cutting Edge Productions, they taught us step by step processes on how to make an animation from lay outing to finishing . Although, theres no multimedia subject in our curriculum but tallest they gave us an Idea on how it works. In Dalton in UP-Dilemma, we also benefited In the seminar In Android APS, sing Bunt an open source operating system and their students guided us to their different IT laboratories. Maam Christy told us the projects of their students focus in security problem to address, enterprise network and some information about AY or the Artificial Intelligence. Though, it is not already reach beyond my knowledge. Then on our third day, I learned from one of our tour how technology works in a factory. Imagine a fully automated and computer controlled manufacturing facility untouched by human hands. Industry Visited Our first destination Is the Magmata City Traffic Management System which Is coated at t TTY Hall. I Nils command control Ana communication center was started in 2007. At is composed of 8 big and 48 small monitor screens that is open 24/7. They have installed Acts in different streets and vicinity along Magmata. In addition, each camera has a 30 times zooming capacity and can capture objects within 800 through this; they can monitor accidents or the flow of traffic in Magmata. Weve also tour around the Magmata City Hall itself including the conference room, Mayors Office and session hall etc. After this, we continued to Sir Boys Republic for our lunch. Exactly 2:31 pm, we are now in TOTE Animation located in Eastward. They are behind the famous anises like One Piece, Sailors, Digging and etc This Company was started in 1986 and a 100% subsidiary Japan Animation and the first AD animation to use system. After TOTE Animation, our next stop was the Cutting Edge Productions. Just like TOE, it is also an Animation company. Some of their works are Day, shampoo commercials and etc.. Weve ended our day by eating our dinner at Star City. Eventually, after eating breakfast in Wendy, we proceeded to ABS-CB for studio our. The acronym stands for Auto Broadcasting Network-chronicle Broadcasting Network, one of the largest TV stations in the country. Then again eat our lunch at Sir Boys Republic. In the afternoon, we attended a seminar in UP-Dilemma Campus. After that, we transferred to Engineering Building to make rounds. We had seen their highly modernized library and IT laboratories. On the third day of our tour, we dropped by at Something Fishy at Eastward to take or breakfast. Then our instructors let us took a walk. After that, we continued to our next destination. The Gardenia Bakeries Phil which is located in Gardenia Centre, Star Avenue LIP, Mammalians Laguna. They gave us free sample of their products then we took our lunch in Takeaway City. Then, we continued our tour to Enchanted Kingdom. There we enjoyed the different rides and returned to Hotel happy and satisfied. According to our tour guide being a tourist in Metro Manila, we need to visit Intramural so we dropped by and took a long walk. After this, we ended to University of Stop. Atoms which is located in Span. Then for the last time, we returned to Sir Boys for our lunch. As follows, we proceeded to MOA, owned by Henry Sys. .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba , .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba .postImageUrl , .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba , .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba:hover , .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba:visited , .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba:active { border:0!important; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba:active , .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uc8e4093e7771e244f1e5ffbcead22bba:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: rosa parks EssaySome of the students met their relatives while others bought Absorbing and the rest took window shopping. And the saddest part was to say goodbye and we continued to our last bus stop, the NANA. Application on your Course After the tour, I have acquired new realizations, knowledge that I may use in my course. I can apply that self-realization in my motivation to pursue my degree. Though I cant say that I can be an App developer or Animator someday but I was unable to realize the importance of technology, the possible Jobs,the importance of Ewing a skilled IT worker and many more. Therefore ,the educational tour is not only for the enhancement of theoretical learning but rather giving a student a complete idea of what the course may offer to his or her life and for the preparation in the future Job. Personal Experience Most of my first times happened during our tour. It may be terrifying or death- defying experiences but I dont have any regrets in Joining the said tour. Although my aunt wasted a huge amount of money Just to send me to this tour. Its okay at least we learned, we experienced and feel motivated. Its my first time to ride in a plane. I feel a little bit of nervous at first because I have a fear in height but Im happy that Eve conquered my fear. Then after going back to Manila its a De Java feeling. I was there not for any reason but to enjoy all the proceedings and being a tourist. It is a privilege because all you have to do was to eat, listen, learn, observe, unwind and sleep. I have been there a long time ago but its my first time to go to ABS-CB which is one of my dreams. Overnice, I have been an avid fan of Spinally Stars. Although I feel disappointed because I hadnt seen y favorite stars but knowing that they also reside there its a pleasure to me. The Eastward City was also amazing because of its high structured buildings, it is also considered as one of the business center of Metro Manila. Opportunities can be seen anywhere since that theres a lot of Jobs. They say theres a lot of Job but the question is the skills of applicants. Eve realized that in order to succeed you need to strive hard ,be patient and the most important is study hard to acquired proper skills that may use in the future. Next first time is going to Takeaway City; its a relaxing ambiance with cool weather. After that was the Enchanted Kingdom experience. The fun really never stops. Aside from bonding with my classmates and friend its a full package experience. The ride on Space shuttle and ROI Grandee was all my first time and according to Christian if he will be given a chance hell go back there or shall I say we will if theres a chance. On our last day, the Intramural and JUST experiences are also amazing. Intramural being one of the most important historical place and unique events in the country happened there. While JUST is also nice because of its lace which is awesome. Aside from the cute faces of their students, they are also kind and hospitable and they entertained and answered all our questions in mind. Im so blessed and thankful that I was able to Join the tour. My deepest gratitude to the tour committee for their patience in asking for our balances and letting this to happened. And also to Sir Neck, our tour guide for guiding us during the tour. Though, he is not a certified teacher but he is more than that. He told a lot of trivias, knowledge about the place and he made us laugh.

Problem of the Elderly Driving in the US

Introduction As individuals get progressively older their mental capacities, response times, and physical abilities tend to deteriorate yet despite such limitations people aged 60 and above still continue to drive on America’s roads and highways (Cobb, 411).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Problem of the Elderly Driving in the US specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Based on data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a total of 3,981 individuals age 70 and above died as a direct result of motor vehicle crashes in 2009, this number does not include other drivers and pedestrians affected by the subsequent loss of vehicular control and as such the total number of fatalities as a direct result of such incidences could potentially be double the current number given by the IIHS. Various studies examining the impact of older drivers on America’s roads today state that as America’s ba by boomer generation gets progressively older the amount of individuals aged 70 above on America’s roads has escalated dramatically (Reisman, 356 – 357). Unfortunately, as shown by data from the IIHS, this has resulted in an actual increase in the number of car accidents in which the elderly have been involved. What must be understood is that driving a motor vehicle requires a certain degree of spatial awareness, responsiveness and the ability to accurately and succinctly gauge the speed and distance of the car that is being driven relative to other vehicles on the road (Reisman, 356 – 357) (Fox and Fama, 31). When an individual lacks the ability to express such aspects of regular driving behavior the potential for accidents to occur increases exponentially as the overall lack of spatial awareness, speed and distance results in a driver often misinterpreting the relative distance of their vehicle from either another car, obstacle or exit point which usually resu lts in an accident occurring. Studies examining elderly drivers all unanimously conclude that physical deterioration in the form of vision problems, depleted mental acuity, and a lack of physical responsiveness result in a reduced capacity to drive properly (Ratner, 23).Advertising Looking for research paper on land transport? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More They go on further to state that since physical deterioration becomes progressive over the time the same can be said for their ability to drive (McKinnell, 67). In other words as individuals get older their ability to mentally and physically embody the necessary behaviors needed to drive safely diminish up to a point that not only do they become a danger to the themselves but to other drivers and pedestrians as well (Ratner, 23). It must be noted though that surveys examining drivers aged 55 and above show that when the respondents were questioned as to their ability to dr ive nearly all of them stated that they drove â€Å"rather well† or had â€Å"no problems† on the road when driving (McLeod et al., 613 – 618). When comparing the survey results to accumulated scientific data as well as statistics on the number of vehicular accidents involving the elderly it can be seen that the respondents were unaware of the potential danger they represented both to themselves and other motorists due to an apparent inability to discern that their progressive physical and mental deterioration has had a detrimental effect on their ability to drive (McLeod et al., 613 – 618). Further examination of the research results also showed that when asked whether they planned to stop driving in the immediate future nearly all the respondents answered that they had no plans to and that they would continue driving for several more years (McLeod et al., 613 – 618). Based on these responses as well as data from the IIHS and other studies examini ng elderly drivers and their impact on America’s roads it can be seen that the attitudes as well as the physical and mental deterioration of elderly drivers presents a distinct problem due to their potentially adverse impact on both themselves and other drivers. As such it can be stated that, the government needs to limit the maximum age for driving because elderly drivers have caused many deaths and severe injuries each year. Similarity in Being Drunk and Being Old Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered a punishable offense in many states within the U.S. due to the potential dangers an inebriated driver possess to other drivers on the road. What must be understood though is that the reason why this action is considered illegal is due to the reduced physical and mental capacity of the driver, such a condition has been proven through literally millions of cases within the past several decades that a driver operating a motor vehicle under a diminished capacity due to the presence of alcohol in his system is more liable to cause accidents on the road and as such should be prevented.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Problem of the Elderly Driving in the US specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Taking the concept of â€Å"diminished capacity† into consideration elderly drivers should also be restricted from being allowed to drive since they also possess a diminished capacity similar to people that are drunk. While there are certain differences such as an elderly individual having a deteriorated physical and mental condition as a direct result of natural causes while an inebriated driver has a diminished capacity as a direct result of the consumption of alcoholic beverages the fact remains that both individuals display behaviors which place them at risk of not only harming themselves but other drivers as well. For example, one of the main reasons why drunk driving is considered a punishable offense is due to the diminished mental capacity that a drunk driver is under which results in their inability to effectively drive their vehicle. Studies examining drunk driving show that the diminished mental capacity takes the form of being unable to gauge distance and speed, the inability to formulate fast enough decisions while on the road and finally the propensity to overcompensate resulting in wider turns and faster speeds. While such symptoms are not present in drivers 55 and below studies examining drivers 70 and above show an almost similar degree of deteriorated mental capacity in the elderly comparable to drunk drivers which makes them just as likely to cause the same type of accidents as the average drunk driver (Branaghan and Gray, 580 – 581). Another factor that should be taken into consideration is the concept of perception and how drunk and elderly drivers tend to perceive things almost similarly. Studies examining the effect of al cohol on the average person’s ability to perceive objects reveal that a person’s ability to accurately distinguish numbers, colors, warning signs and other similar forms of road safety measures tends to decrease the more alcohol an individual consumes. This is another reason why driving under the influence of alcohol is considered a punishable offense since the inability to distinguish proper road safety signs makes the driver of the car more liable to cause accidents despite the precautions put into effect in order to prevent them. In the case of the elderly, physical deterioration once more comes into play however in this case the focus of attention is on their vision.Advertising Looking for research paper on land transport? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More What must be understood is the fact that as a person gets older their vision tends to deteriorate over time, while there are measures available to correct this such as glasses or corrective surgery in some cases elderly individuals suffering from eye deficiencies such as cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration are unable to get the necessary corrective surgery (Branaghan and Gray, 580 – 587). This results in elderly drivers having to contend with either blurred or hazy vision, a distinct reduction in their peripheral vision and even loss of their central portion of vision which can not only cause them to misinterpret road signs but could lead them into not realizing they are approaching and obstacle, car or pedestrian (Friedman et al., 1846). Such cases are similar to what happens to drunk drivers and as such is further evidence of the necessity to place elderly drivers in the same category of â€Å"diminished capacity† as drunk drivers. The last piece of evidence showing the similarity between drunk and elderly drivers is once more connected to the concept of diminished physical and mental capacity but in this case it involves the ability to take in information and react immediately. In most situations when driving motorists need to take into account other cars in their lane as well as cars from the front and the rear. By taking into account their relative distance, speed and their proximity to the car a driver is able to make decisions within seconds as to how to properly handle their car given the situation at hand. In the case of drunk drivers their ability to discern information from their general environment and take subsequent action as need be is heavily impaired by the fact that both their physical and mental reaction times are greatly slowed down by the presence of alcohol. This makes them more likely to be slower in taking into account outside information which delays their ability to physically respond to the situation. The same c an be said of elderly drivers wherein their diminished mental capacity combined with their frail physical capabilities makes them less likely to be able to sufficiently take in information from their surroundings when driving and take appropriate actions (Marszalek et al., 1097 – 1103). In both cases this results in delayed actions in stopping, turning or going resulting in accidents occurring as a direct result. Based on this information it can be seen that when comparing both drunk and elderly drivers, both operate under a state of diminished capacity that not only endangers their own safety but that of others as well. As such, elderly drivers should be categorized under the same category as drunk drivers and be prevented from operating motor vehicles due to the potential threat to public safety that they represent. Physical Capability This paper has so far argued that the physical and mental deterioration of elderly drivers places makes them a danger to themselves and othe rs, what hasn’t been mentioned yet is the fact that elderly drivers are more likely to die from car accidents as compared to the average driver. What must be understood is the fact that traffic accidents can occur at any given time due to a plethora of causes, most of them not limited to the elderly. In such cases though when accidents do occur the elderly are just as likely to be involved in an accident as any other driver however their ability to actually survive such accidents is questionable at best. Once a person reaches the age of 60 and above a notable decrease in the amount of calcium in their bones is seen as well as muscle lethargy, decreased physical stamina as well as an overall level of deteriorated health (Brock et al., 1284). While this is a natural process for all individuals what must be understood is the fact that people with deteriorated levels of health are not as likely to survive a car accident as compared to an individual who is in the prime of their li fe (Ehrenfeld, 62). An examination of data relating to the ability to survive car accidents has shown that as an individual increases in age the less likely they are able to survive a major car accident (Brock et al., 1284). Even minor accidents can cause severe damage on most elderly individuals due to their relatively fragile physical states. While it may be true that barring an individual from driving on the basis of their fragility has little legal basis, the fact remains that when taking into consideration the inherent physical fragility of elderly drivers aged 70 and up and combining it with the fact that they are more likely to enter into traffic accidents due to their diminished physical and mental capacities, as established by this paper, then it becomes a question of whether the government needs to act on the basis of protecting the elderly from themselves since clearly they are likely to kill themselves (along with others) if they are allowed to continue driving at advanc ed ages (Brock et al., 1284) (Mitchell and Suen, 17). Opinion of the Elderly While this paper has been quick to point out the negative implications of elderly driving an examination of the responses of the elderly towards the concept of limiting the age limit on driving has brought about several compelling arguments. The first argument presented is the fact that since most elderly individuals live with their spouse or are alone if they are prevented from driving this limits them towards the use of public transportation which is arduous at best which may result in increased stress, a worrisome factor given their advanced ages (USA Today, n.d). It must also be noted that in most cases within the U.S. the elderly do not live with their children and as such have come to rely on their own ability to get things done. Studies examining the responses of various elderly respondents have shown that most are reluctant to take on the use of caregivers and as such continue to try to remain activ e. By preventing the elderly from driving this may in turn place either undue financial stress as a direct result of them needing to hire a caregiver since their children would not be around to drive them as they please (Modern Medicine, 5). Other arguments presented state their inherent legal right as citizens to be able to drive so long as they prove they are capable of doing so. In such cases it has been shown that the elderly can be retrained to drive at advanced ages in order to take into account their physical and mental deficiencies and act accordingly in order to become better drivers. Based on these following arguments it can be seen that there are alternative methods to outright banning the elderly from driving. On the other hand all the arguments presented neglect to take into account the fact that the elderly account for a large percentage of all automobile based accidents within the U.S. with the number gradually rising by 5 percent each year as a direct result of aging sectors in the U.S. population (Tips, 9). Conclusion Despite the counterarguments presented it can clearly be seen that allowing the elderly to drive poses too much of a risk to both themselves and the general public to allow the practice to continue. What must be taken into account is the fact that their continued physical and mental deteriorated coupled with the necessities of being a proficient driver simply do not mesh. As such, the government should take measures in setting up an appropriate age limit that allows elderly people to drive. By doing so, not only does the government prevent the elderly from potentially harming themselves but also other drivers and pedestrians. Works Cited Branaghan, Russell J., and Rob Gray. â€Å"NONCONSCIOUS ACTIVATION OF AN ELDERLY STEREOTYPE AND SPEED OF DRIVING.† Perceptual Motor Skills  110.2 (2010): 580-592. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. Cobb, Roger W. â€Å"Are elderly drivers a road hazard?: Problem definition and politi cal impact.† Journal of Aging Studies 12.4 (1998): 411. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. David S. Friedman, et al. â€Å"Driving Cessation and Driving Limitation in Glaucoma: The Salisbury Eye Evaluation Project.† Ophthalmology 116.10 (2009): 1846-1853.  Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. Dwight B. Brock, et al. â€Å"Driving Life Expectancy of Persons Aged 70 Years and Older in the United States.† American Journal of Public Health 92.8 (2002): 1284.  MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. Ehrenfeld, Temma. â€Å"Time to Hang Up the Keys.† Newsweek 152.7 (2008): 62.  Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. Fox, Peter D., and Teresa Fama. â€Å"Managed care and the elderly: Performance and potential.† Generations 20.2 (1996): 31. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. McKinnell, Julia. â€Å"Should Dad really still be driving?.† Maclean’s 119.48 (2006): 67. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. Mitchell, C.G.B., and S. Ling Suen. â€Å"Urban Travel, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and the Safety of Elderly and Disabled Travelers.† Journal of Urban Technology  5.1 (1998): 17-43. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. Modern Medicine.†Gloom lasts in elders who turn over car keys.† Modern Medicine 65.4 (1997): 5. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. Ralph Marszalek, et al. â€Å"Hearing Impairment Affects Older People’s Ability to Drive in the Presence of Distracters.† Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 58.6 (2010): 1097-1103. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. Ratner, Todd C. â€Å"Elderly Drivers: an Age-old Problem.† Business West 26.20 (2010): 23. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. Rebecca McLeod, et al. â€Å"Self-rated driving performance among elderly drivers referred for driving evaluation.† Accident Analysis Prevention 37.4 (2005): 613-618. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. Reisman, Anna. â€Å"Surrendering The Keys: A Doctor Tries To Get An Impaired E lderly Patient To Stop Driving.† Health Affairs 30.2 (2011): 356-359. Academic Search  Premier. EBSCO. Web. Tips.†Getting parents to give up their car keys — tips for adult children.† Enterprise/Salt  Lake City 40.27 (2011): 9. Regional Business News. EBSCO. Web. USA Today. â€Å"Focus driving tests on safety, not age.† USA Today n.d.: MasterFILE  Premier. EBSCO. Web. This research paper on Problem of the Elderly Driving in the US was written and submitted by user Hallie Martinez to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Sister Carrie Analysis essays

Sister Carrie Analysis essays In the novel Sister Carrie, by Theodore Dreiser, Carrie Meeber advances in social standing by using sex as a form of capital, while George Hurstwood falls from upper class status. This plot, though acceptable in modern literature, was unheard of in the early 20th century and despised by critics of the period. Dreisers work has been increasingly important since his death(Poupard, 50). The plot of Sister Carrie is exemplary in it's representation of 20th century naturalism and marks the change from conventional to unorthodox literature. Sister Carrie has become more important over time and is one of the most important American novels written in the 20th century(Stanley, 214). Sinclair Lewis stated that Sister Carrie is "widely hailed as the largest fruit of American realism"(Poupard, 164). Dresier used determinism and sentimentalism to describe how ones destiny is shaped(Poupard, 49). The inability to shape ones destiny and portayal of ill situations being inevitable was Karl F. Zender argues that Sister Carrie's emphasis on circumstance de-emphasis on character takes away from the novel. Through Dreiser's realism however the immodest nature of the novel is felt. Edgar Lee Masters exclaims that Dreiser's "clear eye and accurate hand" are exemplary in Sister Carrie and presented a reality relatable to the reader(Poupard, 165). Dianne Henningfield recognizes that it is possible to focus on Carrie's capitalism, exchanging services for goods, seeing that Carrie is pushed to her decisions for economic needs(Stanley, 215). This sort of literature was not common in the early 20th century and was not accepted by most critics of the period . Many early critics focused on the fact that Carrie was not reprimanded at any point in the novel for her exchange of sex for goods(Poupard, 49). From Carries situations the book can be read as a tragedy of putting that much importance and value to sex, however to advan ...