Monday, December 23, 2019

Domestic Violence Intervention Project Ellen Pence

Introduction Ellen Pence, also known as the â€Å"mother of domestic violence intervention† and â€Å"rockstar of the battered women’s movement† was a social activist for battered women, helped build the foundation of batterer programming with the Duluth model (also known as the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP)), which assisted in connecting the concerns of criminal justice officials and advocates by developing a â€Å"Power and Control Wheel† (Gondolf, 2010, p. 992). She also created the Coordinated Community Response (CCR), which brings all community service providers to help victims of domestic violence, and created a shelter for battered women. In addition, Ellen is the founding director of Praxis International, a nonprofit corporation that aims to eliminate violence in the lives of women and their children. Ellen Pence and Her Contributions to Domestic Violence Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Approximately 1.3 million women each year are victims of physical assault by a partner in the United States, with larger numbers of such incidents not being reported (Herman, Rotunda, Williamson, Vodanovich, 2014, p. 2). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as sexual, physical, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse, which can include sexual violence, psychological and emotional violence, or physical violence (Herman et al., 2014, p. 2). IPV is also known as dating violence, domestic violence, family violence, or spouse abuse.Show MoreRelatedFeminist Movement : Ellen Pence1520 Words   |  7 PagesEllen Pence Ellen Pence was born on April 15th 1948 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Bradkin, 2016). She had a son, Liam McCormick, with her partner, Amanda McCormick (Bradkin, 2016). Jeffrey Edleson (2010) portrayed Ellen as comical with a dry sarcastic humor and would love teasing people. Battered Women’s Justice Project (2016), depicted Ellen as a critical analyst, a compassionate listener, and committed to social justice. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from St. Scholastica (Bradkin, 2016)Read MoreDomestic Violence And Public Violence Essay1231 Words   |  5 PagesStates are affected by domestic violence. There are 8.8 million children who will witness domestic violence. Half of all victims of domestic violence will also experience the unimaginable pain of their child/children being abused alongside them. The fact is, domestic violence will affect or touch every person in their lifetime (Pence McMahon, 1999). There are many ground-breaking advocates of reducing domestic violence, though one stands out above the others. Ellen Pence helped build the foundationRead MoreDomestic Violence As A Victim Of Domestic Abuse1686 Words   |  7 PagesAlthough we lost Ellen Pence, a woman who changed how domestic violence is addressed, in 2012, there are many lives that are being saved to this day because of her work. Ellen Pence found her calling in 1977 when she began working for the Minneapolis Housing Authority that helped individuals relocate with housing complications (StarTribune, 2010). It was then that she immersed herself through domestic violence cases and set the standard for addressing these cases. Ellen Pence is especially knownRead MoreOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pagesa conscious fashion, that are borne out by being able to accomplish that activity. Often it is only when we become aware that our expectations, that are grounded in such tacit or taken-forgranted kn owledge, have not been met (perhaps due to the intervention of some capricious circumstances) that we begin consciously to re-evaluate the webs of causal relationships that have previously been used to orientate our action. Out of this re-evaluation we begin to generate a new theory to account for the previously

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Mpf System Free Essays

In 2011, Hong Kong people aged up to 65 and above total for 13 per cent of the population that is a rapidly growing in ageing population. The ratio is evaluated to increase in 19 per cent by 2021 and will up to 30 per cent by 2041. According to this investigation, the Hong Kong Government first introduced the MPF concept in 1995 to assure that every citizens working in Hong Kong prepare the financial provision while they are retirement. We will write a custom essay sample on Mpf System or any similar topic only for you Order Now In August 1995, Hong Kong Government announced a major stage in enacting the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (â€Å"MPFSO) (Chapter 485, Laws of Hong Kong) to provide a formal project of basic retirement protection. The MPFSO submits the framework for the building a system of privately managed, employment-related MPF schemes for members of the workforce to form financial benefits for retirement. The MPFA was settled on September 17, 1998 to regulate, monitor and direct the operation of the MFP system. There is only about one-third of the workforce of 3. 4 million people had some join of retirement protection before the achievement of the Mandatory Provident Fund System in December 2000. But now, closely to 90 per cent of the working population are already joined in retirement protection. There is a large and elderly population without enough savings will enhance a huge burden on the society if the number of ageing people rises up. MPF is build mainly to support the basic retirement protection to the working population by saving. The main feature of this system include coverage all employees and self-employed people who are over 18 and under 65 years old, not including specifically exempt under the MPFSO, are included by the MPF system. An employee and his/her employer are both needed to contribute five per cent of the employee’s monthly relevant income as mandatory contributions for and in respect of the employee, subject to the minimum and maximum relevant income levels for contribution purposes. An employee if earning below the minimum level of relevant income (HK$6,500 per month or HK$78,000 per year) is not forced to give but may they can elect to do so by way of making voluntary contribution. Despite of the employee’s choice, the employer must contribute five per cent of the employee’s relevant income. The purpose of maximum standard of relevant income for contribution is generally at $25,000 per month or $300,000 per year. Both employers and employees can also due voluntary contribution in excess of the statutory mandatory amount. Self-employed persons also need to contribute five per cent of their relevant income as mandatory contributions, depend on the minimum and maximum standard of their relevant income for contribution purposes. As the beginning of the MPF System in December 2000, the MPF legislation has been reviewed in the light of operational experience in order to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of the system continuously. With the enactment of the MPF Schemes (Amendment) Ordinance 2012 on June 21, 2012, a statutory regulatory control to enhance the regulation of the sales and marketing programmers of MPF intermediaries will be in place on November1, 2012 and the Employee Choice Arrangement will be announced on the same day. Further initiative are being undertaken to strengthen the MPF System, including the development of proposals to enhance flexibility in withdrawing MPF benefits. MPF fees and charges have come down slowly as a result of MPFA’s contribution to streamline administrative procedures, enhance fee transparency and expand the market competition. According the Employee Choice Arrangement in place, we all hope that the management handling charges would be reduced in future. How to cite Mpf System, Papers

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Ethical Issues for IT Security Personnel

Question: Discuss about theEthical Issues for IT Security Personnel. Answer: As a network administrator/ security personnel, I have rights as well as privileges, which allow accessing most of the data on the systems on the network. If I able to access encrypted data that have access to recovery account of agent, it is required to have abilities that is depended on the parts of duties. Monitoring the mail of employees is one of the major parts of duties [1]. On the other hand, as a security measure for ensuring not disclosing of sensitive information of the organization, it is not required to read email of the employees. In addition, the staffs of the organization have a responsibility in order to ensure rules of the organization. For an example, they need to ensure personal use of email system is out of hazardous from an organizations point of view. On contrary, being network administrator, it is needed to disclose the policy before the act. In looking to the privacy issues, it is not difficult to make justification of every action. However, it is required to justify the actions that can morph into the justifiable actions. For an instance, the information can be obtained from reading of emails that can be utilized to perform embarrassing the person. IT and security consultants working for several organizations, It is important to maintain the ethical issues [2]. However, monitoring the websites visited by the network user is needed to monitor by the administrators. The employees of the organization need to be cooperative on the matter. On the other hand, keeping the logs routinely is included in the job description of IT security personnel. Hence, neglecting the process of monitoring like internet usage can prevent the possibility of pornography. Employees need to be aware about ethical issues and avoid holistic environment in the work place. A key logger is a piece of software and scarier or a hardware device, which logs each keys that is pressed by the users on the keyboard [3]. It also captures personal messages and passwords along with credit card numbers that is typed by the user. In a workplace, an employee needs to maintain ethical norms and regulations. However, placing key loggers on the machines is forwarded to the matter of self independency. Hence, management of the organization needs to develop awareness and make them informed about the matter. On the other hand, screen capture program allows in capturing the programs so that everything in the display can be seen. However, as per ethical considerations are concerned, the users need to be informed regarding the matter. IT and security consultants are involving with the several ethical issues. There are issues for money and proliferation of the network attacks. On the other hand, monitoring mail of the staffs is an official description of job as well as part on the personal ethical duties. However, there is common concept in the ethics discussion is slippery slope [4]. It pertains to ease the things that the person can go from achieving something, which do not seem to be unethical like scanning mail of the employees and doing such things, which are increasingly unethical like making the changes in the mail messages as well as diverting the messaging to wrong recipient. As a network security consultant, it may be easy to play on the fear in order to convince the organizations for spending more money than they really need [5]. Hence, it is somewhat right to read the documents as well as take a look to the graphics files that are stored on the computer of the users. However, the management requires fol lowing all ethical norms involved with this. One of the ethical issues involved with promising that can be delivered and manipulating data in order to obtain the higher feeds. Hence, installing technologies as well as configuration settings for making network of the client are more secured [6]. However, it is not correct to talk with client for replacing the current firewalls with that has different manufacturers. The system can make changes coincidentally and switching to the open source operating system. Thus, cutting of security measures for saving money may bring several issues for the organization. References [1]J. Wilkinson, "Food security and the global agrifood system: Ethical issues in historical and sociological perspective",Global Food Security, vol. 7, pp. 9-14, 2015. [2]J. Fanzo, "Ethical issues for human nutrition in the context of global food security and sustainable development",Global Food Security, vol. 7, pp. 15-23, 2015. [3]O. Dale, "Ethical issues and stakeholders matter",Addiction, vol. 111, no. 4, pp. 587-589, 2016. [4]"Complementary Alternative Medicine [CAM]: Ethical and Policy Issues",Bioethics, vol. 28, no. 9, p. iii-iii, 2014. [5]B. Narayan Biswal, "Ethical Issues in School Educational Management",Issues and Ideas in Education, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 29-36, 2016. [6]R. REISCH, "INTERNATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAMS: ETHICAL ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS",Developing World Bioethics, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 93-98, 2011.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Lord Of The Flies Essays (1171 words) - English-language Films

Lord Of The Flies The Shattering of Reason within a Society William Golding in his novel Lord of the Flies symbolically describes the degeneration of a civilized society in three stages. Embedded within this story of a group of young boys struggling to survive alone on a deserted island are insights to the capacity of evil within the human soul and how it can completely destroy society. After a plane crash that results in their inhabitation of the island, the boys establish a democratic society that thrives on order, necessity, and unity. Slowly, however, the peaceful society that they create shatters through a path of hatred, disrespect, murder, and the release of the true human soul. Upon a desolate tropical island, the lost boys begin to organize themselves to gain a sense of stability, order, and brotherhood. They elect Ralph, the oldest boy at twelve years of age, as leader and use a conch found in the lagoon as a symbol of democracy and respect. Two other children, Jack, the head of a choir group, and Simon, a small but intellectual boy, accompany Ralph on an expedition to determine whether the land is truly an island. They find that it is indeed true, and compose a plan to light a fire on the beach to create smoke; their only hope of rescue. After they obtain the glasses of an intelligent and rather fat child called Piggy, they make a fire using the sunlight and glass lenses. However, the fire spreads to the forest quickly and destroys the group's supply of firewood. The boys shrug this off as an accident and Ralph and Simon commence work on shelters. They begin to build a society that contains rules and government. 'I agree with Ralph,' states Jack. 'We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages' (40). The boys establish bonds of friendship and work together to help one another, but soon forget what is truly most important to their survival ? civilized living. One morning, Ralph sees a ship on the horizon and realizes that the new fire they had built is no longer burning because of the negligence of the boys assigned to be watching it. He is furious, yet Jack and his choir group ignore Ralph's complaints and begin hunting for a wild pig, setting out with dreams of chase, glory, and slayings. The difference between common sense and minds influenced and dulled by eagerness grasps the majority of the boys and begins to disintegrate the peace within their society. Ralph talks to the boys about their carelessness and how it is detrimental to the entire island. Their respect for one another is wearing away slowly. They looked at each other baffled, in love and hate. All the warm salt water of the bathing pool and the shouting and splashing and laughing were only just sufficient enough to bring them together again (50). The true problem, however, is the beast. A small child sees a beastie on the mountain and the entire group begins to talk about the subject with fear and intent of killing it, whatever it may be. After the fire is rekindled by Ralph's orders, Sam and Eric, two young twins, are on duty watching and they spot a lumpy figure huddled on the forest floor several yards away. They run to the camp and tell the others about what they have seen. Jack, Ralph, and Roger decide to climb the mountain and search for the creature. They see the figure also and are able to make out its head, eyes, and teeth, and becoming frightened, run away. Once they return to the shelters, Jack calls a meeting to discuss the beast. In the meeting, Ralph takes control over the discussion and Jack becomes angry and yells about Ralph being chief. He calls an election for a new leader, yet Ralph wins again, and because of this, Jack storms off down the beach yelling that he can live on his own. Shortly after this, Piggy and Ralph discover that they cannot find several boys in their camp. They realize that they have gone to live with Jack and that life on the island will never be the same again. Simon climbs to the top of the mountain, and finds the beast, but examines it

Monday, November 25, 2019

The Dominating Role essays

The Dominating Role essays Throughout history women have been seen as subservient caretakers of men. For years women have made it their responsibility to cater to a man's need, whether it be to cook, clean, or be a lover to that particular man. However In Thomas Wyatts poem They Flee From Me women are portrayed as a-moral sexual beings that take advantage of men. Furthermore, Wyatt uses an array of imagery and other poetic techniques to convey this message. In line one of the poem, They flee from me that sometime did me seek the speaker is suggesting that the women of the poem are playing mind games with him because at times the women seek or want to indulge in the company of the speaker and at times they run away or do not care to be in the presence of the speaker. Moreover, in lines three and four states, I have seen them gentle tame and meek, That now are wild and do not remember, show that the women do not have any character to them. The women personalities can vary at any time sometimes they are sweet, polite, and calm but at other times they are wild, rude and impolite. Also the women have no conscious about the various sexual acts they perform with the men. Nor do they really seem to know whom the men are they are performing these acts with. In line eleven, twelve, thirteen, and fourteen which states, When her loose gown from her shoulders did fall, and she me caught in her arms long and small, and therewithal sweetly did me ki ss the women mean nothing but sex to the speaker. Furthermore, there is a lot of emphasis put on the structure of the womans body in these lines. The speaker is very much attracted to the womans outer appearance the way her body is shaped, how small and petite the woman is, and lastly the sex appeal she portrays. On the other hand, the poem shifts and the dominating role are not placed on the mans perspectives and desires...

Friday, November 22, 2019

"Mariana" and "Long Distance"

Mariana and Long Distance Essay Mariana is a poem written by Alfred Lord Tennyson, based on a Shakespeare play. In the play, the character Mariana is in love with a man called Angelo. He then leaves her. This poem is about her waiting for him to come back. Also it is speculated that Tennyson wrote this poem because he had experienced something similar himself. Although this might not be true we do know that he liked writing stories about the past. In Long Distance, written by Tony Harrison, a man is waiting for his wife to return although we know she will not because she has died. These two poems follow the same theme, waiting for a loved one to return home, but they portray the theme very differently. In Mariana even from the first line it is suggested to us that her living area is decayed, dark and dull with the blackest moss the flower pots were thickly crusted. This is also suggests age because instead of saying black moss it says blackest moss which tells us that it has blackened over time. Also moss only grows on a surface, which is not often disturbed by footsteps. This suggests that Mariana doesnt go out of her house very often, if at all. The flower pots were thickly crusted . This means that they have not been tended to. All of which tells us that Mariana does not lead an active life or at least she does not care for her house and garden. In Long Distance the image portrayed is very different to the scene set in Mariana. Although both poems are dealing with a lost love, Long Distance deals with this theme in a much simpler way than Mariana. Long Distance uses a lot less onomatopoeia and alliteration. The first line of Long Distance, Though my mother was already two years dead has a very strong end of line. The word dead sounds very final. If it had ended with the word years it would have not been as shocking. Unlike Mariana there is a very regular rhyme pattern to this poem and this shows the calmness that the man feels because he pretends that his wife is still alive. In Mariana the rhyme pattern is not regular, this tells us that she is not calm and shows her anguish for her lost love. The father in Long Distance holds on to the memory of his wife because he loved her passionately, his still raw love. Mariana holds on to her raw love due to the same reasons, but she also has the hope that he might return someday. We learn much from the first verses of each poem. In Mariana we learn that to her, her environment is dark and full of despair, with the blackest moss the flower pots were thickly crusted The rusted nails fell from the knots that held the pear to the gable wall. The broken sheds Unlifted was the clinking latch. This all describes her life not moving from her house, just sitting in misery. In Long Distance we learn that the father stays in his home to be reminded of his wife who was warm and kind, slippers warming by the gas, put hot water bottles by the side of her bed and still went to re-knew her transport pass This gives us an insight into the fathers life. I believe he is kind as was his wife. This quote creates imagery of a warm kind household. It also makes us feel sympathy for his loss. There are two like quotes in Mariana and Long Distance which specifically tells us that they stay in their houses, Unlifted was the clinking latch and the rusted lock. READ: Compare 'Follower' and 'Death of a naturalist' EssayWhilst in Long Distance the father is embarrassed by his pretence, You couldnt just drop in. You had to phone, Mariana seems unaware of the world outside her house, All day within the dreamy house. Another difference between the two characters mindset is that the father pretends his wife never left, whereas, Mariana waits for her fiancà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ to return. Although if the fathers wife had left him rather than died I believe he would have reacted in the same manner as Mariana. This is because both loves were very passionate and truly heartfelt. The third verse of Long Distance is extremely sad. It talks of the fathers self-denial; he believes that his wife has just popped to get the tea. This is not unlike Marianas self-denial in believing that her fiancà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ will return home. Both characters cannot admit to there not being any hope of their lovers returning. Another similarity is that both characters live in the past; for example, Old footsteps trod the upper floors, in Mariana. This is not so literal in Long Distance as he lives in the past by not letting go of his wifes memory. The endings to both poems are very moving, although in Mariana it is more dramatic, in the style of a Shakespearean play, and in Long Distance it is a very simple enclosed rhyme but it is quite thought provoking. At the end of Long Distance the writer tells us obliquely that his father has died now too. He also indicates that he thought his father was foolish for acting the way he did. He then changes the mood of the verse by saying that although he doesnt pretend that his parents have both gone shopping he has still added their phone number to his new phone book. He now understands the way his father felt. He uses the metaphor the disconnected number I still call to describe his feelings: he wants to keep in contact with his parents but cannot because they are gone. The ending to this poem is vital to the understanding of the title. At the very end of Mariana the four end lines, which are repeated loosely at the end of all verses, are significantly changed. This sums up the fact that she has now completely lost hope of her lovers return. This is like the writer in Long Distance coming to terms with the fact that both of his parents are now dead.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Select and profile an organization for the benefit plan-UPS I have Research Paper

Select and profile an organization for the benefit plan-UPS I have selected - Research Paper Example This is evident from the expenses made by the company in relation to the employees as well as retirees health along with the pension benefits. The company seems to have been participating in the various benefit plans such as multi-employer pension and health as well as welfare plans which is essentially trustee-managed. The benefits are provided to the employees and are generally enclosed under collective bargaining agreement. There are various factors such as improper performance of the investment, modification in the demographic and enhanced benefits for the participants that make the company contribute to the plans. It is worthy of mentioning that the company provides single-employer defined benefit as well as post-retirement benefit plan. The company also provides its employees with UPS Excess Coordinating Benefit plan thus providing benefits to the ones who are participating in the UPS Retirement Plan (Homestead, n.d.). It can be mentioned that there are numerous benefit programs that the company tend to employ on a continuous basis for the purpose of retaining the talent in the organization for a longer period of time. It is through such benefit plans that the quality of the work lives of the employees are improved along with significant enhancement of the personal lives of the employees. In the above section, it has been found that UPS has been providing its employees with numerous benefits so that the talent can be retained with the organization and thus the goals of the organization can be achieved. However, it has been observed that despite various competitive employee benefit plan programs, the company has few lacunas in its benefit plans. It has been noticed that the UPS is unable to offer its employees with the same benefit that Central States used to offer. After the company has withdrawn from Central States, the employees are supposed to register in the 401K plan in order to ensure that they obtain enough retirement income. It has also

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Management Theory in Oxfam Charity and Global Poverty Organization Essay

Management Theory in Oxfam Charity and Global Poverty Organization - Essay Example The paper tells that management in any business firm or organizational activities refers to the process, and act of bringing people together as a team. This is to work towards the accomplishment of set objectives through the efficient utilization of the present resources. These management actions include activities and processes such as organizing, planning, staffing, leading, directing or controlling an organization or business among others towards the main purpose and objectives. It also involves the act of resourcing which refers to the utilization and control of an organizational resource which include the financial, human, natural, and technological resources. In view of organizations as systems, it can also be defined in terms of human action and design in facilitation of achievement of desired results. This is a fundamental view as it provides the opportunity to manage oneself which is a prerequisite to the management of others. Good for management positioned individuals in an organization. Management theory can be defined as the study on how to improve the total productivity of all personnel in the business firm or organization. It involves learning on how to manage personnel with the intent to improve and maximize the productivity of the firm. The aim of business management is to maximize productivity, and while management theory aims towards getting a team of individuals to achieve a certain objective it. However, this does not necessarily achieve in improving individual productivity towards the aimed at objective. Management is both an art and a science hence various improvement techniques employed. 1.3 Competing value framework The competing value framework in management helps and allows the leadership teams in organizations to understand the background and adopt thinking that infers to the foundation of various management philosophies. It integrates the four different values showing the competitive ideologies between each also the importance of eac h individually. The values being of no equal importance in various cases the model goes further to suggest the integration of the different models. This is by maintaining a balance between them to achieve maximum efficiency in productivity. Never the less most managements study the awareness of each and consider which of the models closely matches with their leadership structures, styles and philosophies, all incorporating the achievement needs of the

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Earth’s hydrologic cycle Essay Example for Free

Earth’s hydrologic cycle Essay The chemical quality of precipitation in the earth’s hydrologic cycle is significantly altered upon contact with the forest canopy. These chemical changes are traceable to natural biological processes and from polluted airsheds which affects precipitation chemistry. What happens to the water when it reaches solid earth shall be viewed by the chemical changes that occur on the different stages of the hydrologic cycle. Earth’s hydrologic cycle Hydrologic cycle is the process where water moves from and to the earth through the atmosphere over time and space scales powered mainly by the solar energy and gravity. Solar energy drives the evaporation process effectively transforming water from liquid to gas which results to cloud formation through saturation (Davie Davie 2002). The degree of equilibrium then is the maximum point of saturation in any mixed atmosphere of vapor and air. When the air cools below the dew point, condensation of water vapor begins. The air at higher altitude is less dense producing lesser heat and lesser air pressure giving out cooler air. Condensation is the process through which water vapor changes to its liquid state again in the form of dew, smoke or fog. Precipitation occurs when clouds can no longer hold the heavy water vapor and it falls back to the earth in the form rain or snow and other forms. The distribution of precipitation on earth depends on the patterns of rising and falling air currents. Precipitation fills oceans, river, vegetation, land and other surfaces. Part of the water reaching the ground surface is highly dependent on turbulent transport from the atmosphere to the canopy on its composition, structure and properties. Rainwater picks up dust particles, plant seeds, bacteria, dissolved gases and ionizing radiation as it falls. It also accumulates with chemical substances like sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and ammonia upon hitting the ground. Aerosols, pesticides and fertilizers, sewage and industrial wastes which were introduced into the ground also mix with the infiltrating ground water. If precipitation continues, complete saturation of the soil zone occurs. This allows the water to continue to descend until it merges into a zone of dense rock. Density is directly proportional on its ability to allow penetration of water. Around these rocks are unsaturated and permeable materials called gravel, shale or sand. The boundary between the unsaturated and the water bearing rocks is defined as the water table. Water table could be hundreds of meters below the water surface where sometimes water rises without pumping in the form of springs. Drilling an artesian well will cause the water to gush to the surface until the pressure is equalized. Pumping may be necessary to lift water to the surface. Ground water is largest source of fresh water but is very difficult to track. Ground water well is good if the aquifer water level that supplies it stays the same. Cone of depression occurs when ground water is pumped from an aquifer through a well lowering its water level (Strobel n. d. ). A gradient then occurs producing a flow from the surrounding aquifer into the well decreasing water levels around the well. This results in a conical shaped depression that seems to radiate away from the well continuously expanding in a radial fashion until a point of equilibrium occurs. This plays an important role when planning well placements and deciding pumping rates including distances between wells. References Davie, T. Davie, T. (2002). Fundamentals of hydrology. New York, NY: Routledge. Strobel, M. (n. d. ). Let’s talk water cone of depression. Retrieved April 28, 2008 Website: http://nevada. usgs. gov/barcass/articles/Ely27. pdf

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The American Dream in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry Essay

â€Å"Check coming today?† The Life Insurance check that Mama will soon be receiving is the source of all the dreams in the Younger family. A major argument that Lorraine Hansberry makes in her play A Raisin in the Sun is the importance of dreams. Dreams are what each member of the Younger family is driven by. Mama wants to have her own home in a nice part of town; she does not want her children growing up in a place with rats. Walter wants to have a successful business so he can surpass the poverty that has plagued his family. And Beneatha wants to get a good education, become a doctor, and marry a nice man. Dreams are especially important to the Younger family as they come from a poverty laden family and desire to live the â€Å"American Dream.† Every member of the Younger family has a dream but each one is different with a different view on what the true â€Å"American Dream† really is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Youngers are a very poor family, and this shows in the setting of a tiny Chicago apartment with several people living in close proximity of each other. Hansberry also shows how the Youngers are a proud family by the way everything is arranged in the little apartment. Everything throughout the apartment was â€Å"selected with care and love and even hope – and brought to this apartment and arranged with taste and pride.† This shows that even though the Youngers do not have much, they are still proud of what they have. In a sense their pride is coming from the fact that they al...

Monday, November 11, 2019

Write a Brief Description of the Fiscal Policy of the United States.

2–3 paragraphs Details: During recent political campaigns, taxes and budget policy were key issues. White House budget packages are often designed to stimulate economic growth. From the library or from www. whitehouse. gov, obtain a current summary of government spending and tax legislation signed by the president. †¢Write a brief description of the fiscal policy of the United States. †¢Would you describe it as â€Å"expansionary† or â€Å"contractionary†? †¢How can American consumers influence decision makers on fiscal policies? Explain and discuss if and how this has changed over the past 5 years For the last several years, the U. S. government has been primarily in an expansionary mode of fiscal policy. President George W. Bush signed a $152 billion stimulus bill to help fight off a recession. This bill primarily resulted in the mailing of $600 rebate checks to millions of Americans to encourage consumer spending. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed the much larger American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided tax cuts, loans and contracts, and new or expanded entitlements. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the legislation would increase the U. S. budget deficit over a 10 year period by $787 billion. According to www. whitehouse. gov, this legislation created or maintained almost 700,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2010. The main way consumers influence fiscal policy is by their spending habits. When citizens become anxious about the economy, they tend to save more and spend less. This leads to decreased production, lay-offs, and unemployment, which in turn causes even lower spending rates. The Federal reserve usually tries to modulate the effects of these situations by manipulating key interest rates. For example, right now the federal funds rate is at a 60-year low, making borrowing for investments cheaper than it has been in memory. Until recently, consumer spending saw long-term increases due to the availability of personal credit, but since 2008, as consumer credit markets have tightened, it has dropped.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Succubus Blues CHAPTER 13

Carter picked up a book and leafed through it lazily. His stringy blond hair had been stuffed under a backward baseball cap, and his flannel shirt appeared to have seen better days. â€Å"Looking for altar supplies?† he asked me without glancing up. â€Å"Or maybe here to brush up on your astrology?† â€Å"It's none of your business why I'm here,† I snapped back, too flustered at the sight of him to think of anything funny or even plausible. The gray eyes looked up. â€Å"Does Jerome know you're here?† â€Å"It's not his business either. Why? Are you going to tattle on me?† My words came out boldly, though part of me kept thinking if Carter really was the one behind the attacks, I'd have a lot more to worry about than Jerome's wrath. â€Å"Maybe.† He closed the book, holding it between his palms. â€Å"Of course, I suspect the long-term entertainment value will be greater for me if I just keep quiet and let your schemes proceed uninterrupted.† â€Å"I don't know what ‘schemes' you're talking about. Can't a girl go shopping without getting the third degree? You don't hear me grilling you about why you're here.† The truth was, I burned to know what he was doing. It didn't surprise me that he knew Erik – we all did – but finding him here in light of everything that had happened lately only furthered my suspicions. â€Å"Me?† He held up the book he'd been glancing through. Teach Yourself Witchcraft in 30 Days or Less. â€Å"I need to make up for lost time.† â€Å"Cute,† I acknowledged. â€Å"Commendation from a master. I'm honored. Have I given you sufficient time to come up with an equally cute alibi?† He set the book down. â€Å"Miss Kincaid.† Erik shuffled into the room before I could answer. â€Å"I'm so pleased to see you. My friend just dropped off the earrings you asked for.† I stared, momentarily puzzled, and then I remembered the pearl necklace, as well as the earrings I'd offhandedly requested. â€Å"I'm glad he was able to do it so quickly.† â€Å"Nice recovery,† conceded Carter in an undertone. I ignored him. Erik opened a small box for me, and I peered inside. Three tiny strands of freshwater pearls, just like the ones from the necklace, dangled from the delicate copper wires of each earring. â€Å"They're beautiful,† I told him. I meant it. â€Å"Thank your friend. I have a dress these will look great with.† â€Å"That must be a relief,† noted Carter, watching Erik ring the earrings up at the counter. â€Å"Proper accessories, I mean. Cody tells me you're doing a lot of dating these days. I don't suppose you read the book I sent you.† I slid my credit card over to Erik. Cody had seen my male entourage at the dance lesson, but I'd only told him about my subsequent date with Roman yesterday. â€Å"When did you talk to Cody?† â€Å"Last night.† â€Å"Funny, so did I. And here you are today. Are you following me around?† Carter's eyes danced merrily. â€Å"I was here first. Maybe you're following me around. Maybe you're starting to get into this dating thing and want to find a cunning way to come on to me.† I signed the credit card slip and handed it back to a quiet, listening Erik. â€Å"Sorry. I like my men to have a bit more life in them.† Carter chuckled quietly at my joke. Sex with other immortals gave me no energy payoff. â€Å"Georgina, sometimes I think you might be worth following around, just to hear what you'll say next.† Erik looked up. If he felt discomfort at being in the crossfire of two immortals, he did not show it. â€Å"Then perhaps you'd like to join us for tea, Mr. Carter? You were going to stay, weren't you, Miss Kincaid?† I gave Erik one of my better smiles. â€Å"Yes, of course.† â€Å"Mr. Carter?† â€Å"Thank you, but no. I've got things to do, and from the way I understand it, Georgina operates best one man at a time. It was nice seeing you as always, Erik. Thanks for chatting. As for you, Georgina†¦ well, I'm sure I'll be seeing you very soon.† Something in those words chilled me. It took every ounce of my resolve to sound calm as I called out to him. â€Å"Carter?† His hands touched the door. Pausing, he glanced back at me and arched an eyebrow in acknowledgment. â€Å"Does Jerome know you're here?† A slow, sly smile spread across the angel's face. â€Å"Are you going to tattle on me now, Georgina? And here I thought we were making such progress. Perhaps we should have drawn out the small talk a bit more. You could have asked me if the weather would change soon, I might have commented how pretty you looked today, etc., etc. You know how it goes.† I blinked. His words this time invoked the note on my door. You are a beautiful woman, Georgina. Beautiful enough, I think, to even tempt angels into falling†¦ Was he leaving me more clues? Toying with me in the way Cody had suggested? Or was I reading too much into this? Was he still just annoying Carter, bane of my existence, tormenting me like always? I honestly didn't know, but I still believed of all angels to be taking down evil immortals in the city, Carter had the most opportunity. â€Å"How pretty am I then?† My voice caught slightly. â€Å"Pretty enough to fall for?† The angel's lips twitched. â€Å"I knew you were coming on to me. See you later, Georgina, Erik.† He opened the door and left. I stood there, watching his retreating figure. â€Å"What was he doing here?† Erik set a tray with two cups down on the small table. â€Å"Come now, Miss Kincaid. I keep your secrets. You can't expect me to do any less for him.† â€Å"No, I suppose not.† Nor, I thought as the old man went to get the teapot, did I want to risk endangering him by getting him caught up in immortal affairs. Well, at least caught up more than he already was. He returned shortly and poured for us. â€Å"I had just put this on before you came in. I'm glad you're here to share it.† I tasted it. Another herbal blend. â€Å"What's this one called?† â€Å"Desire.† â€Å"Fitting,† I observed. Angels and conspiracies aside, I still hungered for Roman. â€Å"Did you find out anything?† â€Å"I'm afraid not. I asked around but learned nothing more about vampire hunters, nor did I get any indication of one in the area.† â€Å"That doesn't surprise me.† I sipped the tea. â€Å"I think something else is going on.† He said nothing, prudent as ever. â€Å"I know you won't tell me why he was here, and I understand that†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I trailed off, determining how best to phrase my words. â€Å"But what do you†¦ what do you think of him? Carter, that is. Has he done anything weird or seemed, I don't know, suspicious? Secretive?† Erik gave me a droll look. â€Å"Begging your pardon, but I have a number of customers – yourself inclusive – who fit that description.† No doubt that was an understatement. â€Å"Well, then, I don't know. Do you trust him?† â€Å"Mr. Carter?† Surprise registered across his features. â€Å"I've known him longer than I have you. If any of those ‘suspicious and secretive' customers can be trusted, he is certainly first among them. I'd place my life in his hands.† No surprise there. If Carter could fool Jerome, he could surely fool a mortal as well. Shifting gears, I asked: â€Å"Do you know anything about fallen angels?† â€Å"I would think you are already familiar with that topic, Miss Kincaid.† I wondered if he referred to the company I kept or the old myth that succubi were demons. For the record, we aren't. â€Å"Never ask a practitioner if you want to learn about a religion's history. Save those questions for outside scholars.† â€Å"Very true.† He smiled, thinking as he brought the cup to his lips. â€Å"Well. Surely you know that demons are angels who turned away from the divine will. They rebelled, or as it is commonly referred to, ‘fell.' Lucifer is generally accredited as being the first, and others left with him.† â€Å"That was in the beginning, though, right? One mass migration to the other side.† I frowned, still wondering about the technicalities of when angels fell. â€Å"What about later? Was that the only time it happened? Just that once?† Erik shook his head. â€Å"My impression is that it can happen still and has happened in the past. There are even documents suggesting – â€Å" The door opened, and a young couple walked in. Erik rose and smiled at them. â€Å"Do you have any books on tarot?† the girl asked. â€Å"For beginners?† Did he ever. Erik had a whole wall of them. The interruption frustrated me, but I didn't want to disrupt a chance for him to do some business. I gestured him toward the couple, drinking the rest of my tea. He led them to the appropriate section, energetically explaining certain titles and questioning their needs in further detail. I picked up my coat and purse, along with a box of the Desire tea. Erik watched me set a ten-dollar bill on the counter. â€Å"Keep the change,† I told him. Pausing from his discussion with the couple, he remarked to me, â€Å"Check†¦ let's see, I believe it's the beginning of Genesis 6†¦ verse 2 or 4 perhaps? There might be something to help you in there.† â€Å"Genesis? Like in the Bible?† He nodded, and I glanced around the book-lined shelves. â€Å"Where is it?† â€Å"I don't stock it, Miss Kincaid. I suspect your own resources will be more than adequate.† He returned to his customers, and I left, marveling at a man who could pull up biblical verses by number but not have a copy on hand. Still, he was right about me having ample resources, and my shift started soon anyway. I drove back to Queen Anne and found the street parking full. Digging my permit out from the glove box, I hung it on my rearview mirror and pulled into the tiny, private parking lot bordering an alley behind the bookstore. So many employees wanted to use the lot, I generally tried to avoid it when I could. As I walked toward the store, I caught sight of two cars pulled hood to hood and a redheaded figure leaning over them. Tammi. I liked the teenager a lot, but she also had a tendency to chat. Not wanting to delay my biblical search, I stepped into some shadows and shape-shifted into a nondescript man she wouldn't know. I then walked on past her, barely getting a second glance as she jumped the car. I changed back to my normal body once I was out of sight again. A momentary sense of windedness hit me, gone just as quickly as it had arrived. Cross-gender shape-shifting always took a bite out of me, which was why I had resisted Peter's silly haircut-modeling suggestion. I had probably just lost a few days' worth of my Martin-induced energy surplus. That left me with a couple weeks at least, but I felt the succubus feeding need stir slightly within me anyway, no doubt agitated by my perpetual longing for Roman. The bookstore hummed with normal weekday business when I arrived. Immediately, I sought out our religion section. I had directed people to it on a number of occasions; I had even pulled select titles from it. What I had not done was pay close attention to just how many Bibles existed. â€Å"Jesus,† I muttered, staring at the various translations. There were Bibles for women and men respectively, Bibles for teens, illustrated Bibles, large-print Bibles, gold-embossed Bibles. At last I caught sight of the King James Version. I knew little about it, but at least I recognized the title. Pulling it off the shelf, I flipped to Genesis 6 and read Erik's passage: And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, ‘My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.' There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. Well. That cleared everything up. I reread the passage a few more times, hoping to get something more out of it. I finally determined Erik must have given me the wrong chapter number. He'd been distracted, after all. This passage, by my estimation, had nothing to do with angels, falling, or even the cosmic battle of good and evil. What it did seem to be about, however, was human procreation. It didn't take a biblical scholar to figure out what â€Å"the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men† meant, especially when children followed in the next phrase. Sex had sold books back in the old days, just as it did now. I wondered if Erik had given me the passage number as a joke. â€Å"Are you finding religion?† I looked up first into a Pac-Man T-shirt, then into Seth's inquisitive face. â€Å"Found and lost it a long time ago, I'm afraid.† I shut the book as he knelt down beside me. â€Å"Just looking up something. How are Cady and O'Neill today?† â€Å"Making good progress on their latest case.† He smiled fondly, and I found myself studying the amber-brown of his eyes. I'd had a few more e-mail exchanges with him in the last few days and enjoyed my mininovels, though our spoken conversation had seen little improvement. â€Å"I just finished a chapter and needed to take a break. Walk around, get something to drink.† â€Å"No caffeine, I presume.† I had learned Seth didn't drink caffeinated beverages, which I found both frightening and unnatural. â€Å"No. No caffeine.† â€Å"You shouldn't knock it. It might increase your writing output.† â€Å"Ah yes, that's right. You don't think my books come out fast enough.† I groaned, remembering the day I'd met him. â€Å"I think my own words came out a little too fast that first day.† â€Å"No way. You were brilliant. I'll never forget it.† His quizzical mask slipped briefly, just as it had at the dance lesson, and I once again saw male interest and appreciation cross his features. Crouching beside him, I again had a momentary sense of naturalness, like I normally had with Doug or one of the immortals. Something friendly and soothing. Like Seth and I had known each other forever. Maybe I had, in a manner of speaking, through his books. And yet, at the same time, being this close to him proved disconcerting as well. Distracting. I began noticing things like the lean muscles in his arms and the way his messy brown hair framed his face. Even the gold sheen of light hitting his facial hair and the shape of his lips held my attention. Turning away, I felt the base thirst for life energy twitch in me, and I repressed the urge to reach out and touch his face. The outside shape-shifting had caused more damage than I realized. I still didn't really require a true refill of energy, but the succubus instinct was getting irritable. I needed to squelch it soon, but certainly not with Seth. I stood up hastily, still holding the Bible, wanting to get away from him. He rose with me. â€Å"Well,† I began awkwardly when neither of us said anything for a few moments, â€Å"I need to get to work here.† He nodded, the interest in his face turning to apprehension. â€Å"I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Hmm?† Swallowing, he looked away briefly then back to me, his eyes now focused with determination. â€Å"So, I'm going to this party on Sunday, and I wondered if maybe†¦ maybe if you weren't busy or weren't working, you could maybe, that is, maybe you'd want to come with me.† I stared, speechless. Had Seth Mortensen just asked me out? And hadn't†¦ hadn't we just had a coherent conversation for once? Combined with me suddenly noticing how attractive he was, the very world seemed to be turning on its side. Worse still, I wanted to accept. Something about Seth suddenly felt natural and right, even if it wasn't like the rollercoaster of excitement I felt with Roman. Somewhere in this bizarre, awkward relationship, I'd grown to genuinely like the writer independent of his novels. But I couldn't accept. I knew I couldn't. I cursed myself for my initial flirtation; it had apparently stuck with him, despite my efforts to undo it and stay platonic. Part of me felt dismayed, part of me pleased. All of me knew what I had to do. â€Å"No,† I answered bluntly, still stunned. â€Å"Oh.† I had no choice. No way could I have Seth attracted to me. No way could I risk anything but an arm's-length friendship with my favorite books' creator. Realizing how rude I had sounded, I attempted a hasty recovery. I should have simply said I had to work, but instead, I found myself babbling on with a variant of what I had used on Doug over the years. â€Å"You see†¦ I'm not really interested in dating right now or getting involved with anyone. So, it's nothing personal, I mean, the party sounds great and all, but I just can't accept. I don't ever accept things like that, actually. Like I said, it isn't personal. It's just easier not to get involved. To not date. Um, ever.† Seth studied me for a long time, considering, and I was suddenly reminded of that first night when he looked much the same way while I explained my five-page rule with his books. Finally, he said, â€Å"Oh. Okay. But†¦ aren't you dating that guy? The really tall one with black hair?† â€Å"No. We're not dating. Not really. We're just, uh, friends. Sort of.† â€Å"Oh,† Seth repeated. â€Å"Friends don't go to parties together, then?† â€Å"No.† I hesitated, suddenly wishing I had a different answer. â€Å"They can maybe have coffee sometimes. Here in the bookstore.† â€Å"I don't drink coffee.† There was a sharpness to his voice. I felt like I'd been slapped. We stood there then in what was quite possibly among the top five most uncomfortable moments of my life. The silence stretched out between us. At last, I repeated my lame exit excuse: â€Å"I have to get back to work.† â€Å"Okay. See you around.† Just friends, just friends. How many times had I used that line? How many times had the lie been easier than facing up to the truth? I'd even used it on my husband so long ago, again hiding from the reality of a matter I didn't want to admit to when things had turned sour between us. â€Å"Just friends?† Kyriakos had repeated, dark eyes staring at me. â€Å"Of course. He's your friend too, you know. He just keeps me company when you're gone, that's all. It's lonely without you.† But I never told my husband how often his friend Ariston came to visit or how we always seemed to be finding excuses to touch each other. A casual brush here and there. His hand to help me up. Or the one day that still burned in my memory, when he had reached over me to grab a bottle, and his hand had grazed my breast. I'd given an involuntary gasp, and he'd lingered for a heartbeat before carrying on with his task. And I didn't tell Kyriakos that Ariston made me feel like I had in the early days of my marriage, like I was clever, beautiful, and desirable. Ariston lavished me with the attention Kyriakos once had; Ariston loved the sharp wit that had once gotten me into trouble as an unmarried maiden. As for Kyriakos†¦ well, I assumed he loved those things too, but he didn't show it so much anymore. His father was making him work longer and longer hours, and when he finally got home, he would collapse into bed or seek the solitude of his flute. I hated that flute†¦ hated it and loved it. I loathed that it seemed to hold his attention more than I did. Yet, on some nights, when I sat outside and listened to him play, I felt awed at his skill and that ability to create such sweetness. But that didn't change the fact that I slept untouched more often than not. When I told him I'd never get pregnant that way, he'd laugh and tell me we had all the time in the world for children. This troubled me because I honestly – and irrationally – believed that having a baby would somehow fix everything between us. I ached for one, missing the way my little sisters had once felt in my arms. I loved the honesty and the innocence of children and liked to think I might help guide one into becoming a good person. Nothing seemed so sweet to me in those days as cleaning cuts, holding small hands, and telling stories. Furthermore, I had reached a point where I needed to know that I could have a baby. Three years of marriage was a long time to go without a child in those days, and I'd seen the way others were starting to whisper that poor Letha might be barren. I hated their simpering and sickeningly sugared pity. I should have told Kyriakos everything that was on my mind, every last detail. But he was so sweet and worked so hard to provide for us, I couldn't bear it. I didn't want to shake the contentment that ostensibly filled our household just for my own self-gratification and need for attention. Besides, it wasn't like he always neglected my body. A bit of coaxing, and I could sometimes get him to answer my desire. We'd come together in the middle of the night then, his body moving in mine with the same passion he used in his music. Yet, looking at Ariston some days, I had the feeling he wouldn't need any coaxing at all. And as empty days without Kyriakos passed, that started to mean something. Just friends, just friends. Standing there in the bookstore, watching Seth walk away, I half wondered how anyone could still use that line. But I knew why, of course. It was used because people still believed it. Or at least they wanted to. When I returned downstairs – feeling sad, angry, and idiotic all at the same time – I stumbled upon a scenario guaranteed to make my day even weirder: Helena from Krystal Starz stood there in front of the registers, gesticulating wildly to the cashiers. Helena here. On my turf. Swallowing my confusion over Seth, I strode over in my best managerial way, still carrying the Bible. â€Å"Is there something I can help you with?† Helena spun around, making the crystals around her neck tinkle as they hit each other. â€Å"It's her – she's the one. The one who stole my staff.† I glanced behind the counter. Casey and Beth stood there, looking relieved to see me. Tammi and her friend Janice must have been somewhere else in the store, for which I was grateful. Best to keep them out of this. I kept my voice cool, ever-conscious of the customers observing. â€Å"I'm sure I don't know what you mean.† â€Å"Don't start that with me! You know exactly what I mean. You walked into my store, made a scene, and then lured away my staff. They left without notice!† â€Å"People have recently applied for jobs here,† I responded blandly. â€Å"I can't really keep track of where they used to work. As assistant manager, however, I can empathize with the inconvenience of employees who leave without giving notice.† â€Å"Stop that!† Helena exclaimed, hardly resembling the cool, collected diva from last week. â€Å"Do you think I can't see through your lies? You walk in darkness, your aura wreathed in fire!† â€Å"What's on fire?† Doug and Warren walked up, obviously attracted by the mounting spectacle. â€Å"Her,† Helena proclaimed, pointing at me, using the New Age raspy voice. Warren eyed me curiously, as though actually assessing for flames. â€Å"Georgina?† â€Å"She stole my employees. Just came in and took them like that. I could sue, you know. When I tell my lawyers – â€Å" â€Å"Which employees?† † Tammiand Janice.† I cringed, waiting to see what this new development would unleash. Despite his many shortcomings, Warren did have a smooth sense of customer service and professionalism. I worried what might ensue if my poaching received further investigation. He frowned, trying to match faces with names apparently. â€Å"Wait†¦ didn't one of them jump my car today?† † Tammidid.† He snorted dismissively. â€Å"We're not giving them back.† Helena turned beet red. â€Å"You can't – â€Å" â€Å"Ma'am, I am sorry for your inconvenience, but I can hardly pass back workers who have signed employment papers with us and are unwilling to work for you anymore. There's always turnover in retail. I'm sure you'll find someone soon.† She turned on me, still pointing. â€Å"I won't forget this. Even if I can't get you back for this, the universe will repay your cruel and twisted nature. You will die miserable and alone. Unloved. Friendless. Childless. Your life will have amounted to nothing.† So much for New Age love and kindness. I hardly feared her comments about dying, but the other adjectives dug in a little. Miserable and alone. Unloved. Friendless. Childless. Warren, however, felt no such concerns for me. â€Å"Ma'am, Georgina's the last one I'd accuse of having a ‘cruel' nature or leading a meaningless life. She holds this place together, and I trust her judgment implicitly – including the hiring of your former employees. Now unless you would like to make a purchase, I must ask you to leave before I'm forced to call the authorities.† Helena spouted off more curses and woes to us, no doubt entertaining the customers waiting in line. To my surprise, Warren continued holding his ground. He usually went out of his way to smooth customer relations and put our best foot forward, even at his employees' expense. Today he didn't apparently feel like humoring anyone. It was refreshing. When Helena left, he retreated to his office without another word, and Doug and I stood there, astonishment quickly giving way to amusement. â€Å"The things you cause, Kincaid.† â€Å"What? Don't peg that one on me.† â€Å"Are you kidding? Freaky witch women never showed up before you started working here.† â€Å"How would you know? I started before you.† Checking my watch, I turned thoughtful. â€Å"You're still here for a while today, aren't you?† â€Å"Yup. Lucky for you. Why?† â€Å"No reason.† I left him there and walked to the back offices. Instead of turning left for my office, however, I turned right into Warren's. He sat at his desk, packing his briefcase, preparing to leave now that his car was ready. â€Å"Don't tell me she's back.† â€Å"No.† I closed the door behind me. This made him look up. â€Å"I just wanted to thank you.† Warren eyed me shrewdly. â€Å"Kicking irrational customers out is part of my job.† â€Å"Yeah, but last time I didn't get praised. I had to apologize.† He shrugged, thinking of an incident from a year ago. â€Å"Well, that was different. You called an old woman a hypocritical, pathological Nazi neophyte.† â€Å"She was.† â€Å"If you say so.† His eyes still watched my every move. I walked over to him, setting the Bible down on his desk. Climbing onto his chair, I straddled his lap, making my tight red skirt ride up considerably, revealing the lace-covered tops of black thigh-highs underneath. I leaned in to kiss him, at first just running my teeth tauntingly over his lips, and then suddenly pressing my mouth in hard. He returned the kiss with equal fervor, hands automatically sliding up the backs of my thighs to cup my ass. †Christ,† he breathed when we broke apart slightly. One of his hands moved to my face, the other toyed with the thong I wore under my skirt. His fingers ran along its lacy edge and then pushed upward inside me, at first just delicately probing and then sliding up the full length. I was already wet from a sudden desire and breathed deeply as I savored those long, smooth strokes. Warren watched me with approval. â€Å"What's this all about?† â€Å"What's what? We do this all the time.† â€Å"You never initiate it.† â€Å"I told you, I'm grateful.† That was true, actually. I had found his defense rather endearing. Also, still burning with Roman-lust and now maybe Seth-lust, I suddenly found Warren convenient in the wake of my grouchy succubus hunger. The hand by my face wound up a lock of hair, and he turned pensive, although he didn't stop what he was doing between my legs. â€Å"Georgina†¦ I hope†¦ I hope you know what we do here in no way affects your job. You have no obligations – no danger of losing your position here if – â€Å" I laughed out loud, surprised by this oddly considerate side. â€Å"I know that.† â€Å"I mean it – â€Å" â€Å"I know that,† I repeated, biting his lower lip with my teeth. â€Å"Don't go soft on me all of a sudden,† I growled. â€Å"That's not what I'm here for.† He didn't interrupt again, and I let myself sink into the pleasure of contact. The feel of his tongue in my mouth, his hands brazenly exploring my body. After a long morning of sexual frustration, I just needed it from someone – anyone. He unbuttoned my blouse and tossed it to the floor, where it rested in a black, silken pile. My skirt and thong followed, leaving me only in thigh-highs, bra, and heels. All black. He shifted his body, still in the chair, so that I could pull his pants off. Seeing him there – long, straight, and hard – made me move his hand out of me. Fingers no longer satisfied me. I wrapped my legs more tightly around his hips, as much as the chair would allow. Then, without further warning, I thrust my body down, plunging him inside me. I arched my body so that I could take him deeper, then moved in steady, repeated thrusts. Looking back down, I watched him glide in and out. There was no sound in the room save that of flesh on flesh and our heavy breathing. With penetration came a flood of feeling and sensations from him – different from the physical ones. As a less noble soul, his energy and presence did not knock me across the room like Martin's had. Succubi absorption depended on the victim's character. Strong, moral souls yielded more to the succubus and took a huge bite out of the guy. Corrupt men lost less and consequently gave less. Regardless of his energy or moral fiber, I did catch snippets of Warren's thoughts and emotions as I rode him. This was normal. They came through with his life force. Desire certainly was foremost in his mind. Smug pride at being with a younger, attractive woman. Excitement. Surprise. He had little remorse about cheating on his wife – contributing to the lower energy yield – and even the brief fondness for me he'd displayed earlier gave way to raw lust. So fucking hot. So wet. Love the way she rides me. Hope she comes and comes on top of me†¦ I did, as it turned out. My movements becoming harder and fiercer as our bodies slapped together. My leg muscles clenching. Neck arched back again. Breasts hot and sweaty from where he'd clutched them. The orgasm reverberating through me. Spasms of pleasure growing fainter and fainter as my breathing slowly returned to normal. And the energy fix wasn't bad either. It had leaked into me slowly throughout our building passion, starting off as fine glittering threads. Near the end, however, it had become strong and bright, pouring into me, reinvigorating my own life, fueling my immortality in a glorious climax that rivaled the physical one. When we both had our clothes back on, I made moves for an exit. Small energy loss or no, Warren always felt exhausted and worn after we'd been together. He thought it was the result of his age going up against a younger, more active woman. I did nothing to change his attitude but usually tried to discretely leave, so he wouldn't feel self-conscious around me in his fatigue. I knew it bothered him to think he couldn't keep up with me. â€Å"Georgina?† he called as I moved to the door. â€Å"Why are you carrying a Bible? You aren't trying to convert customers, are you?† â€Å"Oh. That. Just researching something for a friend. It's applicable, actually. All about sex.† He wiped sweat off his brow. â€Å"After years and years of church, I think I'd remember any good sex scenes.† â€Å"Well, it's not so much a scene as a clinical description of procreation.† â€Å"Ah. Lots of those.† On impulse, I walked over to him and opened up Genesis 6. â€Å"See?† I pointed to the appropriate verses. â€Å"All these mentions of men taking women. They say it, like, three times.† Warren studied the book with a frown, and I remembered that he had not opened this place without a substantial background in literary study. â€Å"Well†¦ it's repeated because here when it says ‘men began to multiply on the face of the earth,' it's referring to human men.† I looked up sharply. â€Å"What do you mean ‘human'?† â€Å"Here. The ‘sons of God' aren't human men. They're angels.† â€Å"What?† If I'd been holding the book, I would have dropped it. â€Å"Are you sure?† â€Å"Positive. Like I said, years of church services. They use this term throughout the Bible.† He flipped to Job. â€Å"See? Here it is again. ‘Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.' It's referring to angels – fallen angels in this case.† I swallowed. â€Å"What†¦ what were they doing in Genesis then? With the ‘daughters of men'? Were†¦ were the angels having sex with human women?† â€Å"Well, it says the women were ‘fair.' Hard to blame them, huh?† He gave me an admiring sweep as he spoke. â€Å"I don't know. This isn't a point discussed a lot in church, as I'm sure you can imagine. Mostly we emphasized human sin and guilt, but I ignored that.† I continued to stare at the book, dumbfounded, yet suddenly ablaze with ideas and theories. Warren eyed me curiously when I didn't respond to his joke. â€Å"Does that help you any?† â€Å"Yes,† I said, recovering myself. â€Å"It helps a lot.† I surprised him with a soft kiss on the lips, took the Bible, and left.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Emiratization As A Form Of Affirmative Action Management Essay Essay Example

Emiratization As A Form Of Affirmative Action Management Essay Essay Example Emiratization As A Form Of Affirmative Action Management Essay Paper Emiratization As A Form Of Affirmative Action Management Essay Paper Emiratization is the procedure of nationalising the work force in the United Arab Emirates. In fact, it can either efficaciously be used to reassign cognition to the subjects to take ownership of work being carried out, or abused when subjects are put in places they can non win in, or when they are non offered the necessary training/mentoring to win, in the state s effort to capitalise on its local human resources. Purpose of Emiratization Emiratization is one of the greatest challenges confronting the United Arab Emiratesaˆ’ the emergent state. The schemes of the plan purpose at increasing the per centum of subjects in federal and governmental establishments, even in the private sector to some extent, to lend in heightening feasible societal and economic stableness by depending on national human capital. Besides, it works on heightening local endowments and accomplishments to run into the present and future demands that will ease in developing the state. The governments believe that in the early 1970s, the state of affairs demanded trust on skilled aliens and experient work force due to the little population among local human resources and the demands of ambitious development programs of the state. The big figure of exiles help the Emiratis by devouring, buying, leasing many resources and services ; thereby exciting the local economic system. On the other manus, the state s trust has resulted in exiles remi tting high per centums of their net incomes ; in fact, the entire financial transportation from the UAE was reported to be $ US 4.5 billion in 2002, tantamount to the national budget shortage for that twelvemonth ( Davidson 2005 ) , excepting transportations that did non necessitate the usage of Bankss or other official money-transferring bureaus. Therefore, the natural rating and development of the local endowments makes the authorities put in topographic point programs to carry through its societal duties towards the UAE community. Exiles presently hold about 98 % of occupations in the private sector and 91 % of places in the authorities ( Al Ali 2008 ) . Therefore, in every workplace Emiratis are in a little minority compared to other nationalities. This research aims to foreground the contradiction between theoretical committedness to Emiratization, and realistic patterns impeding the materialisation of a national scheme geared by awful fright of divergency and drifting off against the fleet flow of globalisation. Barriers to Emiratization Human Capitals The first factor this paper will analyze is Human capital which can be defined as cognition, accomplishments, and abilities of an organisation s employees ( Stone 2005 ) . Education, preparation and development, and organisational battle add great value to one s competencyaˆ’ it is besides the foundation for personal and professional development, societal integrating, and economic prosperity. Education Weak instruction and hapless lingual accomplishments are factors that slow down the UAE national engagement in the work force, but the schemes of accomplishing Emiratization requires implementing great alterations and developments in instruction, which is the corner rock for any solid work. It is really easy to enforce Emiratization. We can make this any clip, but what would we derive if we did non supply our young person with the best cognition, accomplishment and expertness to commensurate with these occupations? H. H. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai While the aspirations of UAE Government can be realized throughout the altering instruction system, it is hard for these aims to be achieved without quality and to the full integrated course of studies which support the values of the UAE. Possible solutions would necessitate a stronger committedness to curriculum reform, which can run into the demands of Emiratization, particularly under the influence of globalisation on different facets of life in the society of the UAE. English eloquence degrees in UAE are of major concern to Abdelkarim ( 2001 ) , whose findings on employees positions include their sensed lack of English linguistic communication direction the UAE s instruction system. In a manner, English has become the lingua franca for engineering ; hence, direction and to a certain extent trade, and eloquence doubtless affects Emiratis employability. Training and Development The significance of preparation and the creative activity of a acquisition environment have been recognized as cardinal elements to competitory replacement to the attainment of sustainable competitory advantage in the organisation ( Altman A ; IIles 1998 ; Altman and IIes cited in Saunders et Al. 2005 ) . One of the surveies indicates that 52.4 % UAE Nationals are non given well-structured efficient preparation ( Morada 2002 ) . Training and development are indispensable for continual acquisition for employees to acquire on the occupation preparation, learn from past illustrations and heighten their accomplishments. UAE subjects non merely derive practical and theoretical techniques, but besides go more effectual and efficient to the company in the hereafter which is why it is important to supply state-of-the art preparation. Organizational Battle It is suggested that when employees values are consistent with the organisation s values, it might take to more positive organisational battle. However, it could be argued that group homogeneousness may hold a positive impact on employees satisfaction through increasing their sense of designation or societal integrating within the group, but that does non needfully intend that group heterogeneousness should be ignored because it offers chance for organisations and tremendous challenge to employees every bit good. Freek ( 2004 ) argues that UAE subjects employees do non ever welcome civilization diverseness, nor do they wholly reject it. Organizational Capital Significant discrepancy in organisational value variables, i.e. organisational civilization, calling development, and wage have direct impact on Emiratis enlisting and choice activities in private and public houses in the UAE. Organizational Culture A dysfunctional civilization will most decidedly suppress an organisation s public presentation, therefore the demand for flexibleness and cognition to better public presentation, productiveness and acquisition ( Barney 1986 ; Schneider 2000 ) . There has been small survey on cultural effects on GCC states, including UAE. Abdelkarim ( 2001 ) indicates that UAE has ignored the importance of committed-based work civilization, alternatively to a great extent trusting on pecuniary wagess and top-down mechanisms to seek to battle job-hopping. Many employers in the UAE appreciated this new attack from the top, chiefly because it is in understanding with the statute law enforcing the employment of UAE subjects in all organisations. This attack fundamentally aims to maximise the instruction, preparation and entrepreneurial support available to UAE subjects, so that they can vie on a flat playing field with expatriate workers. UAE subjects strongly prefer an organisation that offers flexiblen ess, answerability and challenges within the occupation for that shows that the company is willing to give subjects a opportunity to maximise their work accomplishments through ego efficaciousness and larning from experience. Career Development Career development is critical to an organisation for it outlines employees calling way with the company for a period of clip which leads to both single growing and increasing company s input and efficiency. A common method is acquiring UAE subjects more involved in work diverseness, leting more clip for thier engagement and deriving employee authorization. Emiratis are invariably on the sentinel for calling chances and mounting the corporate ladder. Harmonizing to Freek ( 2004 ) and Al-Lamki ( 1998 ) , UAE subjects have the inclination to go forth their occupations in the private sector due to the deficiency of calling development chances and low wage degrees. When UAE subjects prove to be progressing within their occupation this is normally evidentiary through public presentation assessment which is connected to patterned advance of calling development in footings of publicities and wage. Wage Harmonizing to Lawler ( 1971 ) , one imperative result employees derive from work is their compensation. In the UAE, there is touchable grounds that dead rewards, low publicity rates and other reduced benefits are considered the chief obstructions confronting the local population. In a survey conducted by Tanmia ( 2004 ) , the UAE s National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority, of 1,300 male and female UAE subjects, it was found that the pay derived functions of UAE subjects was the major obstruction they faced when working the private sector. Social Capital The 3rd factor that straight affects Emiratization procedure is related to societal capital, which involves gender inequality. Gender Inequality The gender argument contains dimensions associating to an inauspicious place for female employees: subordination, marginalisation, and sabotaging in all GCC states every bit good as other parts of the universe. The UAE, as portion of this societal environment has similar cultural attitudes towards adult females s function in a male-dominated society. Harmonizing to Abu Dhabi Emiratization Council, the Ministry of Planning in the UAE estimates that the figure of the subjects comprises merely 10 % of the work force in the UAE. Womans make up 6.5 % of entire. Most of the adult females work in traditional Fieldss such as instruction, wellness ministry or other administrative locations. Though lawfully, there are no barriers that prevent adult females from working, still some cultural barriers and traditional society force per unit areas stand as obstructions forestalling adult females from fall ining the work force. In pattern, as reported by Tanmia ( 2005 ) , disagreements can happen given instruction, senior status and occupation descriptions, 37 % of adult females participants reported unsimilarities in wage rates. Nevertheless, wage derived functions may be attributed to the greater chances for calling development available to UAE national males, a factor in the high turnover rate for UAE females ( Adams 2003 ) . Baud and Mahgoub ( 2001 ) noted that 21 % of the adult females stated that they have experienced favoritism in occupation chances for publicity. This might be farther investigated, through systematic analysis of some documental resources available from different local beginnings, such as Ershaad, the national enlisting enterprise which is one the plans launched in 2008 ( ADSIC ) . Sample Comparative Study A reappraisal of an academic paper entitled: En Exploration into the relevancy of HRM and other critical factors toward the integrating of Gulf-Arab subjects in industries: A comparative survey between two fertiliser programs , by Younes Proctor, August 2003, show that two companies, Fertil, UAE, and GPIC, Bahrain, produce the same merchandises, ammonium hydroxide and carbamide, which are used chiefly as fertilisers. Fertil was founded in the early 80s and GPIC in 1987. Despite get downing five old ages subsequently than Fertil, GPIC rapidly achieved a localisation rate of 80 % within seven old ages i.e. 1994, while Fertil, by 2003, reached merely 30 % . The paper explores the ground for this broad spread in nationalisation rates between the two companies. A The findings of the research show that Localization of work forces at the organisation degree occurs at two degrees: the state degree consisting educational systems, authorities labour Torahs, labour market conditions, per capita incomes, demographics, and cultural attitudes associating to work. Because Bahrain has a lower per capita income, higher population denseness, and higher unemployment rates than the UAE, the pressure exerted on GPIC at the organisation degree to engage, develop, and promote locals is much greater than in the UAE. In other words, UAE citizens still have many more picks on where to work or if they are already affluent, even to work at all. A Bahrainis make non. A GPIC so invested to a great extent in preparation by puting up a preparation architecture and preparation systems, which in bend, leads to a healthy acquisition culture.A Exiles are rewarded for go throughing on their cognition to Bahrainis, and there is no fright on their portion that they will lo se their occupations if they train the Bahrainis decently. A By contrast, in Fertil, from its origin, there was no intrinsic demand to develop Emiratis becauseA good economic conditions gave them so many picks when looking for work. Hence small money was allocated to puting up the same preparation architecture, systems, and training civilization. When the author joined Fertil in 1999, there was merely one developing individual for a company of 220 people. When he left, there were merely 4 people allocated to preparation. The budget for preparation at Fertil was 1/6 the budget allocated to developing at GPIC. Recommendations and Decisions There are chiefly three ways of nearing Emiratization on a national degree and do it effectual as a signifier of affirmatory action work in UAE society in the hereafter. First, to turn to the supply and demand in the UAE labour market on the long term ( 10-20 old ages ) , set an feasible national scheme for Emiratization consequently. Second, on the short term, to concentrate on Emirati employees calling development and mark places to hold subjects supervising their national development, to contract down the broad executing spread between the demand and supply in the UAE labour force market. Furthermore, both private and public sectors should develop and implement schemes toward the keeping of UAE subjects in the workforceaˆ’ taking into consideration wages, proviso for gender separation, employee authorization and public presentation direction.

Monday, November 4, 2019

How to Think Theologically (HTTT) chapters 2,3 Reading Responses Assignment

How to Think Theologically (HTTT) chapters 2,3 Reading Responses - Assignment Example Lastly, eschatology is the theological branch concerned with death, judgement and eventual destiny of humankind and his soul. Q2. At times, two different people read a similar section of the Bible but end up having entirely different interpretations of the same. For instance, someone reading the book of Job can have his interpretation that temptation comes from God (Stone and Duke, 2013). This is in relation with God’s acceptance to have his servant Job tempted. Another would view it different and conclude that temptations are Satanic in nature as the whole idea of bringing calamities upon Job came from Satan. This happens because different Christians have varied theological backgrounds depending on how they were made to understand the bible right from Childhood. Q3. Correlation of different ideas involves bringing of two distinct ones together. For several years, this has been done by Christians in the journey of spiritual growth. As such, they tend to harmonize theology as a subject with their daily encounters. This helps Christians to carry out their ordinary lives basing on how they understand the Bible. Q4. Offering an evaluation of the rationale and trustworthiness of a belief entails deliberating on multiple conflicting issues. Thus, it helps in understanding of the Christian faith when initial perceptions of the same no longer seem tenable enough (Stone and Duke, 2013). Christians do this when seeking clarity on varied Christian concepts. Consequently, people weigh the available options alongside the merits of taking a particular direction. This is essential in the deeper understanding of the scriptures. In taking considerations, four of the most common tests of adequacy are often involved; Christian appropriateness, intelligibility, moral integrity and validity. Christian relevance involves the assessment of theology with regards to its faithfulness to the Christian message. Intelligibility, on the other hand, is

Saturday, November 2, 2019

My Study in Global Political Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My Study in Global Political Economy - Essay Example Getting this degree would not only satiate my passion, but it would also serve as a stepping stone for my future career. As a final year Bachelor’s degree student, majoring in Policy Studies and Administration with a concentration on Politics & International Affairs and Policy Streams, I have a solid academic foundation, both theoretically and practically when it comes to general politics and international relations. My knowledge in politics is an added boon as politics is intertwined with the economy, which in turn plays a big role in international relations. As an exchange student at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, I was greatly impressed by the speech of the former Prime Minister of Canada, Paul Martin, on the financial crisis, although I did not have enough knowledge about credit and Subprime Mortgage. As compared to the economy concerned with statistics and data, I am more interested, not to mention knowledgeable, in political economics, i.e. a study into the r elationship between politics and economy, for example, the political determinants and effects of economic outcomes, especially in the time of financial crises and global insecurity. That is why when I came across the master’s course in Global political economy offered by the  ­your institute, I could not help but apply for admission therein as this is the field I want to pursue. This is in line with my career goals of working in the international commerce department of a multinational company, or the foreign affairs department of the government. Getting this degree would help me develop the necessary coping skills with regard to any future career challenges; it would enable me to enhance my knowledge and improve my skills in both global politics and global economy.  

Thursday, October 31, 2019

EU Law - Incidental Direct effect and indirect effect Essay

EU Law - Incidental Direct effect and indirect effect - Essay Example GB Open Search has a contract with the Ministry of Science and Technology to install the fibre optic cable. The issue regarding Martin follows EU passing a directive (fictitious) on the right of all residents to high speed broadband by January 2014. This directive includes the duty to replace all existing broad band connections with modern connections to the new fibre optic system.1 It is to be implemented by member states by July 2013. UK uses a statutory instrument to implement the directive that says â€Å"all connections within private buildings will be replaced with modern connections†. The connections are being changed by a subcontractor Sparky Limited who has been given the discretion as to how it will complete the job as long as the job is completed by December 2013. 1 J. Fairhurst, Law of the European Union (London: Pearson Longman, 2009), 22. Sparky Limited has been given details of all current broadband users in order to contact them and change the connections. Mart in who has a small IT business leases part of a building used by a local secondary school for his business which is a public building. Sparky refuses to replace the connection on grounds that they were only contracted to replace connections in private buildings. ... The direct effect of regulations in EU law can be applied. Under EU law Article 2492 and Euratom 161 regulations and the final decisions usually have a straight impact and no federal legislation is in most cases needed in order to effect them. The regulation on replacement of copper wires to fibre optic network by the EU cannot be transposed by the UK. Regulations can be termed as the legal formulated acts that gives the EU permission to encroach on the member state’s legal systems and because of the power of the EU, the laws will apply in all Member States. UK has no rightful power to use the regulation in part. 3 In the case of Martin the EU passes a directive on the right of all residents to high speed broadband by January 2014. Under EU law Martin can apply the vertical direct effect of directives against the UK government for not implementing the directive properly and the horizontal direct effect of directives against Sparky Limited for refusing to connect him with the _ ___________________________ 2 Article 249 EU 3 Leonesio v Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry [1973] Case 93/71 p. 352 high speed broad band. Directives differ from regulations as they are not generally applicable. The directive becomes national law when it has been fully implemented within the time frame The EU directive obliges the UK to transpose the requirements of the directive into national law to implement it choosing how and the form to implement it. In this respect, the UK used a statutory instrument to implement the directive by saying â€Å"all connections within private buildings will be replaced with modern connections† Martin has a case because the directive was not properly implemented. The Principle of Direct Effect and its applicability Direct applicability

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty - Essay Example Seeking to explore the moral perspectives of the death penalty through an analysis of the deterrent argument as well as the application of lethal injection, a potentially cruel and unusual punishment, the following will persuasively argue that the death penalty should be banned. Following this we will look at the death penalty using Emmanuel Kant’s Deontological and Categorical Imperative theories as well as Utilitarian theory. While the deterrence factor is brought into question, this essay will argue that lethal injection runs contrary to the prohibition against â€Å"cruel and unusual punishment† and thus should be banned in its entirety (The Death Penalty Information Centre 2009; Hood 2008). According to the Death Penalty Information Centre, there has been a global trend towards the abolishment of the death penalty. Despite this trend, there are a handful of countries in the world which continue to use the death penalty as a form of punishment. While 92 countries have now abolished the death penalty (including France, Canada and the United Kingdom), 59 countries worldwide continue to have death penalty legislation on their books. China, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Pakistan remain some of the largest supporters of the death penalty with China the overwhelming leader in total executions worldwide. What are the ethical and moral issues surrounding the death penalty? It is to this question that we now turn (Hood 2008; Robert 2000). From an ethical perspective, the death penalty raises a whole host of questions. Lethal injection, a particularly insidious form of capital punishment, is practiced throughout the United States and the world and aims to execute a convicted offender through the injection of a fatal amount of drugs. It is undeniably the most commonly practiced form of capital punishment in the United States today. For advocates of the death penalty,

Sunday, October 27, 2019

The Importance Of Recruiting Proper Employees Tourism Essay

The Importance Of Recruiting Proper Employees Tourism Essay 1. Introduction: In todays competitive hotel and resort industry in china, the delivery of consistent quality service is imperative to success. As we all know, the hotel service starts with employees. They represent the human side of the brand; they are also the personality and face of a hotel. It is often these employees who create the most compelling points of differentiation between one hotel and another. Every hotel want to recruit the proper and excellent employee, so the hotel management must anticipate changes in the hospitability industry environment to ensure that people who are recruited have the unique skills, know-how, values required by the hotels strategic business objectives and proper for the position. Efforts to recruit proper employees have evolved to meet the growing demands of the industry and expectations of guests. We can also find that many hotel companies have begun treating employee recruitment with the same level of importance they would a consumer branding campaign, portray ing emotion-based messages to potential employees the way an image marketing campaign might be used to generate interest among potential guests. Instead of the traditional recruitment effort, hotels and resorts are using different kinds of ways to recruit proper employees, such as colorful full-page ads in lifestyle magazines, witty dialogue in radio advertising and dramatic visuals on outdoor billboards to attract the best of the best. This is no doubt a large investment, but when a hotel is looking to find the highest quality people to bring their brand to life and deliver its promise on a daily basis, the investment is nothing short of critical. It is evident that if the quality of services rendered is ensured, the benefits that the hotel enterprises reap will be substantial, first and foremost, in terms of customer satisfaction and consequently in terms of an increase in customers, financial gains, prestige and reputation. 2. Importance of recruiting proper employees More and more hotels attach importance to recruit proper employees, because that recruitment is a form of economic competition, one hotel competes with each other to identify, attract and employee qualified human resources. investment in HR practices impacts on the processes of creating customer value; through the attraction, selection and retention of high quality employees, providing appropriate skills.( AgustÄ ±Ã‚ ´n Quintana-De ´niz, 2007)It means that recruitment is a key marketing tool for hotel seeking competitive edge.The way in which the recruitment process is handled affects the hotels image as an employer, in turn, its ability to attract qualified people, so the HR department in hotel must ensure that applicants do not receive misleading or inaccurate information. Failure in this task can create unrealistic expectations among candidates. In turn, this may produce job dissatisfaction, lower commitment and high turnover. Recruitment begins identifying HR requirements and ends with receiving applications. It involves determining where qualified applicants can be found and choosing a specific means of attracting potential employees to the hotel, it immediately precedes the selection process and involves attracting qualified and interested candidates from either inside or outside who have the capacity to generate a sustainable competitive advantage for the hotel and to be effective, recruitment must satisfy the needs of the candidate as well as the needs of the hotel. You have to tell candidates what you have to offer as well as finding out what they can offer you The point here, however, is that recruitment and selection practices should reflect actual expected occupational standards and overall management philosophies. It also indicates the current use of recruitment practices in Chinese hotels. More use of appropriate applicant testing schemes, site tours and probationary periods may yield considerable benefits to potential employers. Innovativ e sources and recruitment practices will ensure value-added recruits who are already oriented to the demands and opportunities of a career within the hotel industry. 3. Recruiting problems in Chinese hotel It is a common knowledge that hospitality front-line employees frequently encounter demanding and difficult customers. Although it is not a pleasant experience, Hospitality service agents are often required to be polite and smile in front of the customers. (Hyun Jeong Kim, 2008) As a long time in China, many people consider that hospitality work is perceived as a servile, it means that in peoples eyes hospitality work is dirty, low skilled, low paid and therefore as capable of attracting only the young, women or the marginal in society , but now many people change their attitude among the hospitality work, especially the staff where work in some international 5-star hotel particularly may carry with it a high status, because the 5-star hotel need high-quality staff that willing to help people and project genuine smiles, they also should have professional hospitality skill and good communication skill. The fact is that more and more 5-star hotels need high-quality employees to join them, but the proper employees are very limited. If a hotel can not recruit proper employees for different department, it will impact the quality of services and r aising the turnover rate, because the employee who is not proper for their job will be stress at work. In general, work-related stress has been shown to result in declines in the quality of employee job performance (Gilboa et al., 2008) that is costly for organizations because it contributes to expensive voluntary turnover, (Villanueva and Djurkovic, 2009). Recent research has found that employee stress in the hospitality industry is important because it can result in work- ers becoming exhausted and cynical (Kim, 2008) which can have negative effects on service delivery. It is no doubt that is not good for hotel operating and competing with other hotels. 4. Preparing for recruiting proper employees If a hotel wants to recruit proper employee, they must do some good preparing for recruitment. The development of a proactive strategy and approach needs to be supported and backed by the organizations key decision makers and should be highlighted in company documents such as the mission statement or company values declaration.(Stefan Groschl,2007) Strategic recruitment does this by linking recruiting activities to the organizations business objectives and culture. Proper planning also helps hotel operators draft strategies to cope with the ever-changing HR demand, to improve training and to enhance the quality of human resources (Noe, 2008) Before the recruitment, HR department must communicate with line managers carefully and clearly, because line managers play an important part in recruitment process, the line managers know their departments very clearly and roundly, they can identify recruitment need, so they should help HR ensure what kinds of staffs are proper. After that deter mining number and type of jobs to be filled and match HR supply with job opening. The job analysis is also very important part; the HR people must analyze the attractive and unattractive features of the job first, the HR also should collect job information include job description (such as job title, duties and circumstances responsibilities, relationships, know-how, accountability, authority, special) and job specification(such as experience, qualifications, skills, abilities knowledge, personal qualities, special requirements) .More clearly and carefully prepare for recruiting , more effectively the recruitment results will appear. Preparing also can help HR determine which recruitment method they will choose. 5. Choosing a right recruitment method for hotel After preparing for recruitment, HR must choose a recruitment method. Regardless of whether recruitment is done internally or externally, effective planning and strategizing are essential to the success of the process. The hotel needs to know that it has the right employees with the right skills in the right places at the right time. 5.1 Internal recruitment If a hotel decides to hire permanent employees, the first critical question it needs to address is whether to recruit internally or externally. Recruiting from the current employee pool can benefit the hotel in a numbers of ways. The hotel already has performance dada on employees. The qualifications of internal candidates are already well known to the employer. The chance has been afforded to observe the applicants working performance, skills and capabilities, ability to get along with others and fit with the hotel. In addition, employees feel that the hotel is trying to provide them with promotional and development opportunities in reward for their performance and loyalty. Nevertheless, managements perceptions of an employee are likely to be more accurate, thus providing a better prediction of success than information gained about external candidates. Human resources department constitute an enormous investment for most hotels and it makes economic sense to try to improve the retur n on this investment by making full use of the abilities of existing employees. Finally, current employees know the hotel, its culture, politics and customers and have already established relationships with partners and thus require less orientation and training. Consequently, they need far less formal or informal socialization time than those hired form the outside. Internal recruitment is often much faster and far less expensive than going outside of the hotel for applicants Although internal recruiting has advantages, this approach also has some disadvantages. Internal recruitment can become very political and competitive, particularly when coworkers apply for the same position. Dysfunctional conflict may result and collegiality and interpersonal relationships can be strained, they may be promoted beyond their level of competence. In addition that, those employees not selected for the position can suffer from diminished morale and performance, particularly when they feel equally or better qualified than the candidate selected. The hotel can become inbred through excessive internal recruitment. Continuing to promote from within can encourage maintaining the status quo. A hotel need to improve organizational processes should usually recruit from outside. Finally, excessive internal recruitment can cause inefficiency by creating multiple vacancies. As this promotion chain continues down the hierarchy, an initial vacancy could spur promotions for a large nu mber of people. Nearly all employees require a certain period of time to learn a new job. Even when an employee has worked in the hotel for several years, a new position requires adjusting to new responsibilities and redefining interpersonal relationships with coworkers. Internal recruiting can exacerbate this effect by creating a large number of employees having new positions. Until these employees gain the level of competence that their predecessors had and sufficiently redefine their working relationships, inefficiency will result. In this method of internal recruiting, supervisors could choose an individual whose work capabilities are well known to them. The other way most commonly used approach to internal recruitment is job posting. Internal recruitment not only has its advantages but also disadvantages. It is probably best utilized when the hotel pursues a strategy related to stability, faces few major threats from its external environment, and is concerned with maintaining the status quo relative to its operating system. When time or money is limited, internal recruitment can be beneficial, as well. 5.2 External recruitment A hotels human resources department can use various approaches to locate and attract external candidates, often looking to more than one source. To choose an approach, the HR manager must know which recruitment channel is likely to be most successful in targeting a particular labor group. An electrician, a computer specialist and a general manager will each have their own preferred recruitment channels. Not surprisingly, the advantages of external recruitment are consistent with the disadvantages of internal recruitment. External recruitment facilitates change and tends to be more useful for hotels with volatile external environments. External recruitment can allow expanding its knowledge base beyond that of its existing employees and bringing in new ideas and viewpoints; external recruits are not bound by existing ways of thinking or doing things. Outside employees are not members of existing cliques. They can bring a fresh approach to problems that have plagued the hotel. At the senior level, candidates are often recruited for their history of bringing about high-level change in other hotels. External recruiting, however, can be expensive and time-consuming. Employees from outside the hotels will often need a longer socialization period to know the hotels cultures, services, coworkers and customers, they adjustment and orientation takes longer. External recruits are also unknown entities in that hotel has no experience working with them. Although an applicant may have outstanding skills, training or experience in and may have past success in another hotel, those factors do not guarantee similar success with a new hotel or an ability to fit with a new hotels culture. Finally, external recruiting can have detrimental effects on the morale of those employees who have applied for the job internally, but have not been selected. A variety of methods can be used to recruit candidates externally, such as employee referrals, applicant-initiated recruitment, help-wanted advertisements, public employment agencies, private employment agencies, executive search firms, campus recruitin g and online recruiting. Furthermore, Web-based recruiting is not limited to external applicants but can also be used to attract current employees. For instance, job openings can be posted on an organizations intranet in order to announce opportunities for current employees to move into an e-service position.( Karen,2008)The choice of an external recruitment method depends on the circumstances surrounding the recruitment situation. 6. Interviewing Choosing a right recruiting method is not enough to recruit proper employees for a hotel; it also needs a comprehensive and impersonal interviewing. It is no doubt that interviewing is a vital selection tool to ensure the candidate whether is proper for the position. Interviewers should include HR professionals, the manager of viable candidates and upper-level manager. Interviewing applicants involves making subjective assessments of each applicants qualifications for a job. It is easy to find that more and more group interviewing are used now, group interviewing allows different interviewers to contrast and compare their interpretations of the same interview information. Consequently, this type interviewing often helps overcome many of errors that individual interviewers might make, it also can save time for the hotel and applicant, but they often involve creating a less personal atmosphere for applicants. Sometimes group interviewing may make it more difficult for interviewers to g et a sense of the applicants interpersonal style. In more recent years, however, a growing interest among strategy researchers has emphasized the importance of behavioral explanations to strategy development. ( Baker M. Ayoun, 2008)If you work in a five-star hotel, good behavior is very important for your career. The hotel management also pays more attention to that, so in recent years, behavioral interviewing has become increasingly popular, which involve determining whether an applicants anticipated behavior in a variety of situations scenarios posed in interview question with experienced applicants as well as with those who have limited professional hospitality working experience, because that interviewers will ask some situations that the candidates will face on their jobs in the future. Thus, new templates of organizing for the hotel industry seemed to evolve over time.(Pà ¤iviKarhunen,2008)Before the behavioral interviewing, the interviewers must determine the most important behavioral characteristics required for given a job , it is very important for choosing proper employees form the candidates, because these can be identified by examining the key traits displayed by high performing incumbents. The hotel management can use this interviewing to looks for the candidates problem-solving ability, interpersonal communication style, decision making ability and problem analysis ability. If interviews are structured, the interviewers should pay attention that all candidates are asked the same questions and are given the same chance to respond and explain their views, it becomes easier to compare applicant responses to identical questions. If interviews are unstructured, the questions can be flexible. The hotel can choose the style of interviews depends on what kinds of people you will recruit, if you interview a job that require creativity ability, such as marketing job, the interviewers may choose less structured or unstructured interviews. On the other hand, attitude, self-efficacy and subjective norm were related to behavioral intention of adopting IT (Terry Lam, 2007 ) It is meaningful for asking candidates to describe their behaviors or actions they have taken in specific situations, it can help HR and line managers to estimate and ensure whether he or she is proper employee for this department in hotel. It also can assist the hotel in determining the fit between the applicants and hotels culture and processes. The interviewers should also pay attention that Candidates are just as interested in making the right decision as the client; they want as much information as possible, they want to feel welcomed when they interview, and they want to know they will be properly supported if they accept the position(Karen K. Kirby,2008) 7. Testing If a hotel wants to ensure whether the employee is proper for his position, testing is very important part .The needs of the hotel and job structure include specific responsibilities, interpersonal relationships with others and so forth will determine whether any or all of the following should be assessed: technical skills, interpersonal skills, personality traits, problem-solving abilities or any other job-related performance indicators. The key variable that should influence testing is job requirements. Any testing that is not specifically job-related could be legally challenged, particularly if adverse impact can be shown. The timing of testing can depend on hotels, traditionally, testing has been conducted after the interviewing and screening process due to the expense of testing and time required scoring and evaluating test results. However, some hotels are now testing earlier in the selection process because costs involved with interviewing often exceed the costs of testing. Clearly, it makes sense for an employer to use more cost-effective screening earlier in the selection process. Perhaps the most useful types of tests are work sample and trainability. Work sample is similar as on-job testing, it involve giving the applicant a representative sample of work that would be part of the job and asking the individual to complete it. These tests are useful when the management needs employees who will be able to perform job responsibilities from the first day of employment. Trainability tests measure an applicants aptitude and ability to understand critical components of the job that the company may be willing to teach once the employee is hired. They are useful when the management needs some familiarity with the nature of the work but seeks to train the new employee in the hotels way to do right things. 8. Summary After the explain in this article, you can find out how important to recruit the proper employees for 5-star hotels, only have the high-quality staff, the assessment and expectations of hotel will keep on the high level and compete with other hotels. So before the recruitment, HR people should communicate with line managers comprehensively to identify recruitment needs. HR also need do some other preparing such as job description and job specification. After preparing for recruiting well, HR should choose the recruitment method depends on the situation, no matter choosing internal recruitment or external recruitment, the HR needs to ensure that it has the right employees with the right skills in the right places at the right time. If hotel wants to recruit proper employees, only well preparing and choosing right recruitment method is not enough, it also need a comprehensive interviewing and testing. Management should pay attention to using behavioral interviewing, because those inter viewers will ask some situations that the candidates will face on their jobs in the future, the interviewers will determine whether the candidates have the most important behavioral characteristics required for given a job. Management also can use some testing to identify whether the applicant is proper for the position. 9. Conclusion As the hotel industry is labor intensive, its products and services rely to a great degree on people, which amount to a huge proportion of overall costs. (Lin Lin, Jeou-ShyanHorng, Yi-ChenChen, Chang-YenTsai, 2010) It is also widely accepted that the quality of services offered by Hotel personnel and the resulting customer satisfaction are key to the survival and success of Hotel units. In addition, it is very important that the assessment and expectations of hotel directors regarding the quality of services extended to their customers as well as the hotel personnel available be considered and understood in order to ensure that these expectations are met at the desired level. Especially in China, hospitality industry is developing faster and faster, more and more foreigners come to china to visit or have a business trip, so Chinese hospitality industry need lots of high-quality staffs, but in fact, the hospitality professionals are very limited, so hotel management should pay attenti on to recruit proper employees that with the right skills in the right places at the right time, so HR should do some well preparing for recruitment and choose the right recruitment method. While HR and management are interviewing and testing, they should focuses on candidates behavioral interviewing to identify whether they have the most important behavioral characteristics required for given a job. All in all, hotel should try their best to ensure the employees they recruit are proper for their job, and work as the professionals. Therefore, enhancing the quality of employees is a must in the hospitality industry (Collins, 2007)