Sexual harassment at work

Sexual harassment at work Sexual Harassment In todays society, men in the organisation understand how to achieve higher positions than women. Indeed, culturally, character, style and ability between men and women are clearly different. There are several things that cause men to be more superior to women, regardless of physical affairs. For example, men are more rational and realistic, more competitive, more courageous, more initiative, and more aggressive. But that does not mean women should always be less than men. As women who live in the modern era of today, there should be a pathway to higher position and achievement in their careers. However women still need to be aware of various barriers that may prevent them from doing so. Nowadays, jobs such as director, manager or even chief executive officer (CEO) position are open to those women capable of filling these demanding positions. Now that women have slowly begun to make their way into organisation studies, the rate of issue such as sexual harassment is now becoming more popular, â€Å"when men and women involve in an emotional closeness may be a positive experience, but sexual harassment is not. Sexual harassment is illegal (Samson Daft, 2006). This assignment will further discuss how the issue of sexual harassment has an effect on womens participation in the workplace. Sexual harassment is any form of sexual connotation or behaviour that may be unilateral and unwanted by the person targeted. The result of sexual abuse may lead victims to feel ashamed, angry, humiliated, offended, and disgusted with the perpetrator. Sexual harassment can happen at any and all levels of an organisation. Women who are moving up the corporate hierarchy by entering male-dominated industries report a high frequency of harassment (Samson Daft, 2006). The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) combats sexual harassment by making illegal the acceptance of harassment as a condition of employment, using compliance or not to affect employment decisions with regard to the individual or creating a hostile working environment which may affect the individual performance. Itzin (1995) conducted a major research project with an aim to improving womens position within a local authority organisation. Itzin describes a five part methodology using a survey, interviews, group discussions, statistical data and participant observation to explore the culture and practices of the organisation and to collect data on the position and experience of women. According to Itzins survey results (1995, p.33), the majority of women in the organisation were ‘breadwinners, they work either to support themselves or their families. Most women said they work because they want ‘to pursue a career and ‘self fulfilment. Therefore by looking at this result, Itzin (1995, p.33) suggested ‘that there may be a little difference between the reasons why men and women work and the economic and emotional significance which they attach to their work.† Aside from sexual harassment there are various reasons why women are still far behind men. Through this table (1995, p.34) and diagram, Itzin shows the percentage of women had worked for the local authority for more than seven years and still yet not made any progression to their career . Reasons for women not applying for or not getting another job Reasons % At a disadvantage because of job sharing 5 Lack of encouragement 8 Obstruction from supervisors 8 Sexist Attitudes 8 Racist Attitudes 9 Lack of confidence 24 Lack of interview or job application skills 28 Lack of skills or qualifications necessary for the job 28 Promotion is all what it takes for women to achcieve a higher position. Male management restrict womens chances of prmotion by not providing suitable child care facilities or flexible school holiday arrangements. Itzin (1995, p.38) stated that â€Å"Managers do not encourage women to go for promotion,they said, or administrative staff to cross over into profession. They drew attention to the fact that ‘admin is dominated by women, but men are at the senior level.They thought women were better organizers and lateral thinkers than men, but management jobs were less attractive to women because they take you away from dealing with people and consequently provide less job satisfication.† According to Itzin, Women have to out performed men to get equal recognition and position and tend to have less power than men in the same position. Even though sex segregation is not exactly sexual harassment, but it is still discriminates against women in the organisation. Williams (1995) says that sex segregation almost always occurs in every organization and workplace, where males are in higher positions with higher salaries than women. There are various researches that show that sex segregation is a major obstacle for career women. This manifests as inequality in terms of salary, authority, opportunity in promotions and career advancement. Women are more often placed in a lower position with a smaller salary and without the opportunity to gain promotion (Hossain Kusakabe, 2005). Glass Ceiling discrimination may leads women to have feelings of low self-esteem, slowing down of interest in their jobs and decreased their motivation. The glass ceiling effect is a distinct limiter to a womans advancement into the higher level of corporate management and directorship. ‘â€Å"Ceiling† stresses the limitation of upward progress a woman is subjected to and â€Å"glass† refers to the fact that though the limitation is apparently not written in any rule book, it is nevertheless a defeated fact understood by both the sexes. (ayushveda, 2009). In theory, the effect of the glass ceiling can generally be viewed from two sides such as the demand side and supply side. On the demand side, from outside of the womans appearance, such as discrimination in the workplace, a culture of office man who is very dominant, work rules, and so forth. The glass ceiling in some cases can usually be overcome by using the supply side; it is something that is offered by the woman herself. These aspects include the choice of labour supply, quality of resources, skills possessed, and so forth. Every company toughest challenge that they need to face is to deal with sexual harassment issues. One of the best ways to prevent this situation is to make a sexual harassment policy. Companies must make a written rule that contains the companys commitment to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. The content of the policy should include the notion of what constitutes sexual harassment, grievance procedures, and punishments that should be meted out to the perpetrators. It should also have counselling available to the victims and the assurance that the complaint made is confidential. Ensure all employees, supervisors, managers, directors, clients are aware of the written rules. Hence the human resource people need to take serious action to ensure that rules are obeyed. In conclusion, there are many courses of action that can be taken by companies and individuals in addressing issues such as sexual harassment and sex discrimination in the workplace. One important thing to note is that the right to pursue a career does not solely belong to men but women are also equally entitled. Although awareness in the workplace of womens right is growing, there is still much to be done to truly have equal opportunity without the threat of sexual harassment and discrimination for women.

Ethnics and Heritage Destroyed George in Gloria Naylor’s Mama Day :: Gloria Naylor Mama Day Essays

Ethnics and Heritage Destroyed George in Gloria Naylor’s Mama Day It has been said before that opposites attract when it comes to love. In Gloria Naylor’s Mama Day, two people who would seemingly never end up together somehow find a way to form a relationship that eventually leads to a marriage. George and Cocoa, the two lovers featured in this book, come from backgrounds that could not be more unlike the other. How they end up falling in love is close to a miracle, but because of their huge difference in background, they bring to each other what they wish they could have in themselves. While George is a man who comes from the diverse and strictly governed big city atmosphere of New York, Ophelia is a woman who was raised on the island of Willow Springs which is inhabited by descendants of slaves and is subject to racism and disregard for normal conduct in society. New York is a place where science and facts control the decisions of life; Willow Springs has many rituals based on magic and superstition. Because the two locations are so incre dibly opposite from one another, it is difficult for George to believe in anything that Cocoa was raised on. However, in order for George to get Mama Day’s approval, he must believe and understand magic as it exists in Willow Springs both in its physical form and as a form of belief. The biggest influence of magic on the island of Willow Springs is Mama Day. A descendant of the legendary Sapphira Wade, Mama Day is said to have convinced her master to give the land that is Willow Springs to the slaves, for which she â€Å"†¦bore him seven sons in less than a thousand days, to put a dagger through his kidney and escape the hangman’ noose, laughing in a burst of flames.† (Naylor 3) The influence of Sapphira’s magic is carried over into Mama Day, as it is said that she could, â€Å"†¦walk through a lighting storm without being touched; grab a bolt of lightning in her hand; use the heat of lightning to start the kindling going under the medicine pot.† (Naylor 3) For a rational minded person like George, this and some of the other traditions can be hard to accept. One such example of George’s ideas of normal human behavior clashing with Mama Day’s occurs when Mama Day and Grandmother Abigail give the married couple a quilt made entirely of articles of clothing from past generations.

The Audio Engineer

A vital part in the making of any professionally made album is the production and post-production process. These processes are the responsibility of audio engineers employed by record labels. The engineers are responsible for the recording, mixing, and mastering of audio tracks. To do this, engineers are trained with various technologies in the fields of multi track recording, outboard gear and digital/analog workstations.With their knowledge and tools, engineers help the artists convey their art as best as possible not only to themselves but also to the demographic they wish to express their art to. The job of the engineer can be best described as a presenter in a techno artistic field. The job requires the technical capabilities and instinct to translate the artist’s ideas into a working production. In order to do this, the engineer must be educated in the Audio Industry with a Bachelors Degree in at least one of many Audio Production courses. Associated essay: Advantage Energy Technology Data Center MigrationThe individuals training for this degree must know the fundamentals of proper signal flow, how to work a mixing board, set up microphones, and manipulate outboard equipment that includes time based and dynamic processors. Once the engineer has taken the proper courses for the specific field and has received their commemorative degrees, they can learn more about audio engineering by taking in an internship at a recording studio, music venue, or radio station.A suggestion made by the Audio Engineering Society states that, â€Å"students should complete and internship or apprenticeship to gain hands-on experience, which will make them more marketable to potential employers† (www. aes. org). After receiving the hands on experience from internships, the climb to the top of their field starts and soon they begin to take on more important tasks in the studio, which can include becoming a second engineer or even becomi ng the lead engineer.As an engineer, the skills learned through out the course of ones career can build a high reputation in the industry, which in turn opens a wide range of opportunities to experience. The first phase in the production process of any project is recording. In this phase, the engineer captures one or more sound sources through the use of a wide range microphones and record it directly to one or more of the isolated tracks of a recording system.Through the process of multi track recording however, technologies have added a degree of flexibility by allowing multiple sound sources to be captured onto and played back from isolated tracks. Some of the many types of technology and supplies engineers use in the recording process include microphones, dynamics and time based processors, equalizers, and personal address systems. Personal address systems are made up of three different components that include speakers, amps, and mixers along with a wide variety of backline equi pment.Time Based Processors include effects such as echo which is recognizable, repeat of direct sound and reverb which consists of multiple, blended, random echoes. Dynamic based processors deal with compressors that reduce the dynamic range of a signal by making the loud signals softer and the soft signals louder or vice versa; a gate, which utilizes a threshold knob, that tells the processor when to start the process by cutting out certain frequency ratios. The microphones for each instrument are selected by experience or by experimentation and are then connected to the desired console.They then place the microphone in the desired position in order to get the best possible sound without distortion. Once that is processed, the microphone and track selection should be noted onto a track sheet for easy input and track assignment in the studio. After all the assignments and labeling have been applied, the engineer can begin the process of setting levels for each instrument and mic in put by communicating with each musician to play in solo mode or by asking for a complete run through of the song and listening to one input at a time.With the new age of pro studios, project studios, and digital audio workstations, engineers have a wide variety of tools and options for different types of productions, causing the approach to the projects to vary in many different ways. According to an interview of noted audio engineer Simon Kasprowicz â€Å"what makes a good engineer from a bad is totally subjective and depends upon individual desire because what may sound fantastic to someone, others will find fault in† (Kasprowicz, about. com).When all of the tracks of a project have been recorded, assembled, and edited onto the digital audio workstation or tape deck, the next step would be to individually mix the elements of their work in their final edited forms. The mix down process occurs by routing the various tracks of a digital audio workstation or tape based recorder through a hardware virtual mixing console to alter the overall session’s program, all which include getting relative level, spatial positioning, using equalizers, and effects. Once these measures are taken care of, the engineer can then set up a rough mix of the song by adjusting evels and the spatial pan positions. The producer who is mostly provides feedback to the artist and the engineer during the session, listens to the mix and may ask the engineer to make specific changes such as amplitude adjustments. Instruments in their isolated tracks are often soloed for equalized changes to be made. The usual compression and limiting can be used in the mixing process to make individual tracks sound fuller and more consistent in level or to prevent them from overloading the mix when searching for a desired level.Finally, the team consisting of the artists, producers and engineers in the session can now begin the cooperative process of building the mix in its final form. When the m ix begins to take its form, signal processors, such as effects like reverb and echo, can be added to shape the ambience of the recording in order to help blend with instruments and give a more live feeling to the mix. It’s very important for levels to be as consistent as possible between the various takes. Very often, good judgment is needed to monitor compatible listening levels on speakers or headphones.The reasoning behind this technique is due to the variations in human ear frequency response at different sound pressure level will result in inconsistencies between song balances. Once the final mix is made, the engineer will listen to the mix over different speaker systems for flaws that may have been missed. Making copies of the final mix and sending them out to the producer and artists to listen to is also an ideal way to discover any changes that may be necessary before sending out the final mix to the mastering engineer.Mastering is the process that uses specialized hi gh quality audio gear together with one or more sets of critical ears to help artists and producers attain the desired sound. This has to be done before the recording is made into a finished product. Bob Katz, author of Mastering Audio states that, â€Å"Mastering is the last creative step in the audio production process, the bridge between mixing and distribution† (Katz, 13). It is the last opportunity to enhance sound or repair problems within a studio under an audio microscopic spectrum.Once the final mix is completed, the edited mix down project is sent to the mastering engineers who then fine-tune the overall project. These engineers lend their well-trained ears to help determine what can go wrong technically or aesthetically. With this in mind, mastering too can be considered a techno-artistic field; when applying the rules that one mastering engineer can have a different approach to the sound and overall feel of the project than a different engineer. Mastering can have an important impact on the final project and the assignment of finding the right engineer should never be taken lightly.At times, the mastering engineer may not need to adjust the final mix at all and just give the track the seal of approvable for press. Most of the time, however, the engineer still aids the producer in the track they could not get right during the mix down process by adding their final touch to it. With the audio industry’s constant evolution due to new artists, technologies and recording techniques, labels and production companies are constantly seeking the services of professionally trained engineers.The importance of audio engineers in the hypercompetitive world of entertainment will only increase as new media become more prevalent. Whether its recording tracks at the beginning of the project, assembling and implementing sound effects during the mixing process, or finalizing the project to a desired standard, the audio engineer will continue to be an int egral member in the creation of mass distributed records.

Black or white essays

Black or white essays Back in the day there was a lot of women staying home and taking care of the children while the man went to work to support the family. That was normal back then. Now a days no on in this society can afford to have one spouse stay home or at least that is what they think. Everyone in this day and age has to have the best and biggest things, the nicest cars the nicest houses, the best clothes. This is normal spending for a middle class family in everyones eyes. But it is not normal if it was one person would be able to stay home with the children like before. See before people were not too worried about material things they were more worried about family and making it in life and having the mother stay home with the children. People now a days could do this to but they do not see it. They do not understand the concept of settling for what you can afford not what you have to struggle to get. But we are all victims of stereo types in this world. Because if you do settle for what you can afford then you could be called trailer trash or scums or any other cheap name because you do not have the best house or the best cars or even nice clothes. People make a lot of there decisions in life based upon what everyone else will think about what they have done or bought. If no one cared about what other people thought then a lot of people would probably not be in debt and would have payments monthly that they could actually afford to pay. And the mother would still be able to stay home and raise her children. I think that is how it should be instead of some stranger ...

Quest of the Faes essays

Quest of the Faes essays A long time ago the elves and the faeries lived together in the beautiful city of Volvey. It was odd that the two races lived together in the same city considering that each had their own king, but they lived and worked together nicely. They were very skillful artist and spent many years perfecting and even surpassing their crafts. The elven people and the faes wrote down their spells and magic, and how they obtained and perfected all of their skills in a book they called the Keeper. The Keeper was aloud to be looked upon by any of the city's people. Though occasionally a squabble would arise over which race should keep and protect the book, but the fae king said that he would see no problem with allowing the elves to guard it so longs as all were still free to look upon it for wisdom. Goria (as she was called then) was a dragon who was allowed to come and go as she pleased from Volvey. She was beautiful, gold-mailed and jewel eyed. Often times she would share her wisdom with the faes and elves. But when she saw that their wisdom and skill surpassed her own she became jealous and soon hatred started to boil with in her. So she went to each king and told him that the other was planning to steal the Keeper and hoard it for his own people. After she had caused the faes and elves to doubt each other she swooped down one night killed the elven guards and took off with the Keeper. Thus a war broke out between the faes and the elves. But the faes realized that they and the elves were an even match and neither side was going to win. Everyone was simply going to kill each other. So the faes slipped off into the night and traveled for months until they found where they wanted to build their new home, far from Volvey. They built a new tree top village and named it Trinolus. Which was named for the three prophecies that their leader had seen in a dream and told to his Viro Master while on his deathbed. The people of the ...

Organization experiencing challenges with its compensation and benefit Research Paper

Organization experiencing challenges with its compensation and benefit system - Research Paper Example This research paper describes the compensation practices undertaken in organizations have far reaching effects on the competitive advantage of the firm. In order to develop competitive advantage of a firm in the global market, the compensation plans developed by the firm must align with the strategic plans and actions of the same. Apart from the attainment of competitive advantage compensation practices also have influence over recruitments, turnover, productivity of labour, etc. in firms. Thus it is crucial that firms make thorough analysis of how people perceive about the firm’s compensation and how these perceptions consequently affect their behavior. A substantial amount of job satisfaction of employees depends on the amount of compensation that he receives as well as the benefits he derives from the organizations. The financial compensations complemented with adequate benefits such as insurances, sick leaves, paid vacations, discounts, pension plans etc. impacts on the sa tisfaction level of employees and subsequently their behavior and commitment towards the same. The American Airlines (AA) confronted with serious compensation and benefit issues due to the restricting of their compensation plans for employees. Due to the great losses incurred by American Airlines, one of the world’s largest airlines, the management had to undertake massive cost cutting and restructuring campaign with the purpose of restoring profitability. This resulted in massive job cuts of employees. The policy only invited random resistance from employees which further aggravated the amount of losses incurred by the company. ... The problem would be supported by presentation of critical literature which would include various arguments presented by researcher, practitioners and author and also empirical evidence on the subject. Thesis statement Following is the thesis statement developed for the study; Due to the critical role played by compensation and benefit plans on employees’ job satisfaction, commitment and productivity, companies need to strive to exploit full potential of their human resources through adequate compensation and benefit structures. Review of the Literature As organizations continue to be confronted with increased competitive pressures, they seek to achieve more using fewer resources. Along with the rise in emphasis on such aspects as sales volume, innovation, profits, quality etc, many cases have revealed tight control over employments with substantial employment cuts. The idea to manage human resources effectively using fewer employees has evolved over the years. Subsequently th e emphasis has shifted towards the system of employee compensation with the view to manage human resources better (Gerhart, Minkoff & Olsen, 1994, p.1). Employee compensation and benefits play a key role as it lies at the heart of employment relationships having critical importance for both employers and employees. The financial compensation paid by employers in the form of salaries and wages comprises of the main income of the employees. On the other hand benefits account for the health and other security of employees. A large proportion of employee’s job satisfaction and performance depends on the combination of both the compensation and benefits he receives. From the perspective of the employer, the compensation decisions undertaken influences the costs associated with doing the

Designing Learning and Development Activities Essay

Designing Learning and Development Activities - Essay Example The essay "Designing Learning and Development Activities" analyzes the required factors to make a successful learning session. The paper also overviews the methods available to assess learning and performance. There are numerous methods available to assess learning and performance although the most vital factor in selecting the assessment tool should base on the type of audience, experience, education, venue and subject matter. In adult learning theories and Andragogical learning phenomena, the most effective way of adult learning is self-directed and experiential learning, where a participant can experience the problem first hand and propose a solution for it. Such activities are more effective in groups since brainstorming can provide alternatives. The culture and environment of the organization can impact the training, if an organization has a culture that is redundant to change with no regards to self-improvement or learning activities; learning activities would not be fruitful and participants would yawn in even the most appropriate training session with a lot of exciting and job relevant activities. Learning methods range from one-sided lecture-like training to facilitator based learning sessions. Both methodologies have their pros and cons although both are still used widely in organizations depending on the type of training and intended audience. A one-sided training is suitable for learning sessions that are general in nature, for example, code of conduct or explaining a policy to the employees.