Friday, November 29, 2019
Gatsby Essay Research Paper Was Gatsby Stupid free essay sample
Gatsby Essay, Research Paper Was Gatsby Stupid for Prosecuting Daisy? Gatsby was stupid for prosecuting Daisy for many grounds, foremost of all ; in their short history together Daisy had already turned him down, they had non seen each other in five old ages, and Gatsby was merely traveling on the premise that Daisy still loved him. Gatsby had held onto his dream of being with Daisy until the terminal when his life was taken. He built everything he had on this one end to be re-united with her and it brought him to the high point in his life and so to the terminal where he had no Daisy and showed how hapless his life was when merely Nick and a few others showed up to his funeral. Gatsby got caught in his dream and made his money in a fly-by-night manner go forthing him few friends and even more associations who knew they could non acquire involved in his decease. We will write a custom essay sample on Gatsby Essay Research Paper Was Gatsby Stupid or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page When Gatsby foremost met Daisy he was hapless and had merely enlisted in the service. He lied to her, stating that he had a batch of money when he evidently didn? T. Then he went off to war and she waited. When he had his opportunity to come place he decided to remain in England and travel to college. From there Daisy sent him a missive stating that it was over, that she had found person else who had money and she could fall back on. This crushed him, and made him come back to the U.S. even though it was excessively late and Daisy married Tom. He spent the following few old ages constructing his luck and seeking for Daisy, his whole life was based around her and a little hope that he could win her dorsum. His life was consumed by this dream and merely cut him off from everyone else in the universe. When Gatsby had found out Daisy found person else in brotherhood with the fact that they had non seen each other in five old ages and besides had non made any cont act at all he should hold realized it was over. Daisy had a hubby and as girl and a new love in her life. He was stupid to believe Daisy would go forth Tom after she had been married to him for a few old ages and still love him as good. Daisy? s love for Gatsby may hold been strong for a piece but after waiting for him for so long she broke off and turned to the following best thing that she could happen. Daisy besides knew that Tom was good respected and had a batch of money so he would be able to take attention of her the manner she was used to. Gatsby had no warrant of that and Daisy knew it. Gatsby had no thought if Daisy loved him or non and was merely trusting she still had feelings for him. As shortly he and Daisy did get down up once more and they started taking more hazards Gatsby likely got excited and lost site of world. In the hotel on that hot fatal twenty-four hours every bit shortly as Daisy was in inquiry of her love to Tom he should hold backed out and left. But he didn? T he was still keeping on to that last hope she would fall for him and ended up in a hit and run. He made the error of allowing Daisy thrust and so running. He felt he would take the incrimination for a miss who did non love him and ended up paying with his life. For these grounds Gatsby was stupid for prosecuting Daisy when anyone else would cognize that he had no opportunity at a renewed love with person they had been off from for so long. The love of being linked through matrimony and the presence of a girl would be difficult to interrupt. Daisy didn? T know whom she wanted to be with and could non state that she did non love Tom when confronted. Gatsby? s ruin came after the minute in the hotel, and he was stupid to go on this crush. If Gatsby had non been so blind he would hold lived longer and possibly lived longer.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Ironic Famous Last Words
Ironic Famous Last Words Whether realized at the time they are said or only in hindsight, nearly everyone will express a word, phrase or sentence that proves the last thing he or she ever says while alive. Sometimes profound, sometimes every day, here you will find a select collection of the last words spoken by various people that appear ironic in hindsight. Note: The following quotations are organized alphabetically by the individuals last name followed by the year in which he or she died. R. Budd Dwyer (1987) Dont, dont, dont, this will hurt someone. Embroiled in a bribery scandal, Pennsylvania Treasurer Dwyer decided to commit suicide rather than resign publicly. After addressing reporters gathered at a press conference the day before a Pennsylvania court was scheduled to issue Dwyers sentence for his earlier bribery conviction, the state treasurer cut short his prepared remarks and produced a .357 caliber handgun to the astonishment of attendees. As people tried to defuse the situation and take the gun from him, Dwyer warned reporters not to approach as he placed the gun in his mouth and pulledà the trigger. Stephen Irwin (2006) Dont worry, they usually dont swim backwards. While filming a documentary near Australias Great Barrier Reef, The Crocodile Hunter encountered a stingray that defensively used its tail spine to ward off Irwin, piercing his chest. Despite the efforts of his production and boat crews to save his life, Irwin died from cardiac arrest andà excessive loss of blood. Terry Alan Kath (1978) Dont worryâ⬠¦ its not loaded. The founding member of the rock group Chicago thought the .38 caliber revolver he pointed to his head was unloaded. John F. Kennedy (1963) No, you certainly cant. Jacqueline Kennedy testified on June 5, 1964, that these were President Kennedys last words- or something to this effect- in response to the statement by Nellie Connally, the wife of Texas Governor John Connally. He remarked just before an assassins bullet struck the president: You certainly cant say that the people of Dallas havent given you a nice welcome. Vic Morrow (1982) Ive got to be crazy to do this shot. I shouldve asked for a double. During the filming of a scene for Twilight Zone: The Movie, the planned pyrotechnic explosions damaged the tail rotor of a helicopter that was part of the sequence, causing the pilot to lose control of the craft. The helicopters main rotor decapitated Morrow and a seven-year-old actor he carried in his arms and crushed a second child actor when it crashed. Charged with involuntary manslaughter, a jury ultimately acquitted the films director, John Landis, of the charges. Hector Hugh Munro, aka Saki (1916) Put that bloody cigarette out! Serving in the British Army during World War I, Saki (the pen name of British author Munro) uttered his last words on a French battlefield. A German sniper saw the lit cigarette or overheard Sakis order and shot the 43-year-old. (Incidentally, there is an interesting death-related superstition revolving around soldiers lighting cigarettes on a battlefield called Three on a Match.) Lawrence Oates (1912) I am just going outside and may be some time. Suffering from the effects of scurvy and frostbite, and fearing his maladies placed the rest of his companions at risk as they attempted to reach the South Pole for the first time in history, Oates uttered these final words according to expedition leader Robert Falcon Scotts journal. After his comrades refused his first attempt to sacrifice himself for their safety, Oates said these words as he left the groups shelter during a blizzard. Unfortunately, his heroic sacrifice did not save his companions, who died from exposure a little more than a week later. Taylor Sauer (2012) I canââ¬â¢t discuss this now. Driving and facebooking is not safe! Haha. While driving from Utah State University to her parents home in Idaho in January 2012, 18-year-old Sauer reportedly sent a text message every 90 seconds while behind the wheel during the four-hour trip. After sending the last message (above), her car slammed into the back of a truck at an estimated 80 miles per hour. John Sedgwick (1864) Im ashamed of you, dodging that way. They couldnt hit an elephant at this distance. The highest-ranking Union officer to die during the American Civil War, Major General Sedgwick chastised the men in his command for reacting to Confederate sharpshooter fire while placing artillery in preparation for (what is now known as) the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse in Virginia moments before a snipers bullet ended his life. Sources:Driving and facebooking is not safe! Haha: Chilling last text sent by teenage driver seconds before she died in 80mph horror crash, March 6, 2012. Daily Mail. Retrieved March 2, 2014. dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2110646/Driving-facebooking-safe-Haha-Parents-daughters-text-predicted-fatal-mistake-seeking-change-driving-laws.html
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Modern innovation applications (Sony) Coursework
Modern innovation applications (Sony) - Coursework Example It is by means of new combinations of existing factors of production, embodied in new combinations of existing factors of production, embodied in new plants and, typically, new firms producing either new commodities, or by a new, i.e. as yet untried, method, or for a new market, or by buying means of production in a new market. What we, unscientifically, call economic progress means essentially putting productive resources to uses hitherto untried in practice, and withdrawing them from the uses they have served so far. This is what we call 'innovation.".Innovation is a premise prevailing in modern business with different concepts and labels. Now innovation is not only changing the appearance of things, its some thing deep inside the products, organizations and markets.This comparative study is aimed at reflecting innovation portfolio of modern business by discovering different facets of modern business including product management, implementing it as corporate philosophy and exercisi ng the whole process in different geographical markets differently.Business world has evolved from the phase where breaking the mould philosophy was the extreme success of innovation. Innovativeness is boundary less and all business empires try to battle their product, marketing, and market place issues in their own way, i.e., their innovative ways.This report covers the whole discussion and research is in different parts of the text content. Step by step coverage goes in a logical manner i.e., innovation defined, modern philosophy of innovation, and different perspectives of innovation in business world with various variables. Next part of report is grouped in three portions; seemingly separate three parts but discussing the oneness of innovation in three ways for one Business Empire. These three steps are Product innovation, Organization innovation and Geographical or market place innovation. Product selected is Walkman, company is Sony and geographical place is USA. In short the report covers innovative spheres applied by one company in developing product, in organization and it marketing the same product in a different market place. Report, though reflects various innovative approaches, and reviews the whole process from 'Open Innovation' concept. "The creative act is not an act of creation in the sense of the Old Testament. It does not create something out of nothing; it uncovers, selects, re-shuffles, combines, synthesizes already existing facts, ideas, faculties, skills. The more familiar the parts, the more striking the new whole. Man's knowledge of the changes of the tides and the phases of the moon is as old as his observation that apples fall to earth in the ripeness of time. Yet the combination of these and other equally familiar data in Newton's theory of gravity changed mankind's outlook on the world". (Koestler - 1964): Task 1: Case Example: Product, Process or Strategic Innovation: Case Example: In March 2007, Sony extended the Video Walkman brand by launching its first digital, flash-based video Walkman, the NW-A800. Walkman is a very popular Sony brand used to market its portable audio players, and is synonymously used to refer to the original Walkman portable personal stereo player and as a generic term for similar devices from other manufacturers. The original Walkman introduced a change in music listening habits, allowing people to carry their own choice of music with them. The original Walkman was released in 1979 as the Walkman in Japan and Soundabout abroad. The device was created by audio division engineer Nobutoshi Kihara for Sony co-chairman Morita, who wanted to be able to listen to operas during his frequent transpacific plane trips. (Hormby) Morita hated the Walkman name so much that he asked it to be changed. But he was told by junior executives that a promotion campaign had
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Ethics and social responsibility and its affect on organization Essay
Ethics and social responsibility and its affect on organization - Essay Example Ethics and social responsibility and its affect on organization A Business enterprise is portrayed as an entity doing business to make a profit and forms an integral part of the community, society and market. The social responsibilities of a business are to improve performance, make profits and fulfilling the expectation of its stakeholders. Responsible business addresses the issue on ethics and social responsibility which is faced almost every day in the economy. Programs on business ethics provides the business with management and leadership practices helps in complying with the rule and regulation, minimizing the risk and bring value to the stakeholders (ITA, n.d, p.31). Thus the purpose of the report is to state the benefits of adopting the ethical and social responsibility practices in businesses. The main idea behind the report is to analyze the claim that by practicing ethical and social responsibility in business leads to increase in efficiency in the work place. Practice of ethics leads to good reputation of the company and the effect that ethical and social responsibilities have on the relationship with employees, customers and investors. The scenario talks about being ethical in business and practicing the habit of social responsibilities. The audience constitute of the CEO of the company, the HR, marketing manager, operation manager and also the employees. This is because the field of business ethics has changed as firms had recognized the benefits of conducting ethical conduct. Ethics contributes to firmââ¬â¢s commitment towards its employee, customerââ¬â¢s satisfaction and also towards the investors. It is necessary to practice ethics as most of the organization today aims to create a core competency against its competitors by way of practicing ethics and social responsibility. Organization with unethical practices are usually not looked a strong business organization and investors and customers often hesitate to invest in such organizations. Therefore organization with ethical value often tends to stay ahead from the unethical firms. Even employees would deliver high performance when they work in a good cor porate culture which ultimately leads to the success of the firm. Body Present the Information gathered Ethics and social responsibilities help the organization to increase efficiency. Managers always try to make the best use of the resources in order to increase the level at which organization perform. Pressure to increase performance is often regarded as healthy as it allows managers to question the way organization works and thus bring changes by practicing social responsibilities and ethicality (Jones, 2009, p.39). Business ethics and social responsibility can affect the reputation of the company. Practice of ethics can help in building reputation among employee, the customers, stakeholders and the general public (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell, 2008, p.25). Business ethics
Monday, November 18, 2019
Strategic management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 18
Strategic management - Essay Example This tool has proved to be effective for both business and non-business organizations. This paper aims at evaluating the concept of the Triple Bottom Lineand discussing whether this tool is of importance to businesses. When taking a first look at triple bottom line as a tool for measuring sustainability someone might have the opinion that it is a very naà ¯ve notion. However, this is not always the case when people get a complete understanding of how triple bottom line works and how it is used in measuring sustainability in various contexts (Milne & Gray 2013, p. 25). Triple bottom line has proved to be an effective method for measuring business sustainability and have been used by organizations with varying structure, strategies, and cultures. A business organization that uses triple bottom line as a tool for measuring their sustainability will obviously take into consideration the effect that their activities might have on the people that they are either directly or indirectly involved with. In this way they always have to make sure that all their stakeholders have a good opinion about them. Getting to know this is very important because stakeholders are the people who keep companies in business. Having unhappy stakeholders will definitely affect a business organizationââ¬â¢s financial performance (Cohen, Smith & Mitchell 2008, p. 115). Therefore, before a firm focuses much on their financial performance they should make are that their stakeholders are comfortable with the way things are being done in the organization. Despite the fact that the concept of people bottom-line might be attractive, it should be noted that there is always a challenge when it comes to making decisions on how far a business organization should go in terms of making their stakeholders comfortable. It is also not easy when deciding which of the stakeholders should be included in this list and how far a company should go with
Saturday, November 16, 2019
The Concept Of Work Life Balance
The Concept Of Work Life Balance Abstract The concept of work-life balance has now become centre of attention for almost all companies, political institutions, research institutions, families, individuals and trade unions at both national and international level. Work life balance is an important topic in human resource management that means to combine work and life in a way, that both are achievable. Work life balance is generally related to role overload, time management, time pressure, job satisfaction, job stress, organizational commitment, life satisfaction, turnover, welfare, social security, working time, flexibility, family, fertility, (un)employment, migration, consumption, demographic changes, leisure time and so on. In this paper, work means paid work i.e. a person earns money by providing his/her services to the organization. Both work family balance and work life balance is same thing. Moreover, work life conflict and work family conflict are used interchangeably. We will discuss some relevant definitions, its i mportance in organization and in life of individual, antecedents and consequences of work life conflict, factors which help in creating work life balance, advantages of work life balance, cost of implementing its policies, some findings from literature, our recommendations and implications and in the end conclusion. From our literature we try to find some quantitative data about condition of work life balance in different countries but we were not able to get it. This paper is done mostly on qualitative data we get from different and renowned journal articles written by different prominent authors. Introduction Theres no such thing as work-life balance. There are work-life choices, and you make them, and they have consequences, stated by Jack Welsh, former General Electrics CEO and all-round business guru (Khallash Kruse, 2012, p. 682). The two most important domains of an individuals life are work and family and their interface has become centre of attention in the past two decades for researchers in the field of human resource management world-wide. The changing social structures arising out of dual career couples, single parent families, globalization, changes in the demands and patterns of work, an increasing number of parents with children care responsibilities, increasing number of women workforce and ageing parents all have contributed to escalating research in the area of work life balance. There is a need to integrate and balance family and career requirements otherwise work life balance is in jeopardy as a person is unable to perform his roles due to tiredness from work or family responsibilities hamper concentration at work (McCarthy et al., 2010; Valk Srinivasan, 2011). Work life conflict is opposite of work life balance, that can be either related to strain-based or time-based conflicts between work and life. There are two conflicting areas: (1) how work impacts on family life i.e. work-to-family conflict and (2) how family life impacts on work i.e. family-to-work conflict. But the net impact is same and that is Work life imbalance or conflict. Work-life balance is not primarily a womens issue as the principles equally apply to men (Pichler, 2008; Crompton Lyonette, 2006). This concept highly aims to encourage employees to adopt flexible working arrangements that can help them to achieve balance between their professional and private life. History of Work-Life Balance In 1986, the term Work-Life Balance was first identified, but its usage in everyday language was still sporadic for a certain number of years. Although, interestingly work-life programs existed in early years such as 1930, but people did not recognize them. Before the Second World War, the W.K. Kellogg Company created some flexible work hour shifts for their employees who replaced the traditional daily working hours, and the new shift resulted in increased employee efficiency and morale. In 1977, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, for the first time in his influential book, Work and Family in the United States: A Critical Review and Agenda for Research and Policy, raised the issue of Work-Life Balance and brought it to the forefront of organizations and research. This concept forces organizations to follow work-family friendly environment. Therefore, in the 1980s and 1990s, some organizations began to offer work-life programs who aimed to promote balance work-life. The first waves of these progra ms were mainly to support women with children (Brough et al., 2008). Now-a-days, many work-life programs have been introduced which are less gender specific and identify other obligations as well as those of family. Definitions of Work-Life Balance Now-a-days, the concept of Work-Life Balance is not new; because of its importance it has been discussed extensively. It has been conceptualized as an individuals orientation across various life roles and inter roles phenomenon. Different scholars have given different views on how they perceive the concept of WLB. Some of the important definitions are: (1) Kofodimos has defined it as a satisfying, healthy and productive life that includes work, play and love, that integrates a range of life activities with attention to self and to personal and spiritual development, and that expresses a persons unique wishes, interests, and values (Valk Srinivasan, 2011, p. 40). (2) Kirchmeyer has viewed Work-Life Balance as achieving satisfying experiences in all life domains, and to do so require personal resources such as energy, time, and commitment to be well distributed across domains (Greenhaus et al., 2003, p. 512). (3) Clark views work life balance as satisfaction and good functioning at wo rk and at home with a minimum of role conflict (Greenhaus et al., 2003, p. 512). (4) Work life balance is the term used to describe the organizational initiatives aimed at enhancing employee experience of work and non-work domains (Darcy et al., 2012, p. 112). (5) Work life balance is experienced when demands from the domain of work are compatible with demands from other domains, e.g. family (Pichler, 2008, p. 3). These definitions share number of common elements for example; all highlights the balance between work and non-work domains and equality of inputs and outcomes. On the other hand, work life conflict is a form of inter role conflict in which the demands of work and family roles are incompatible in some respect so that participation in one role is more difficult because of participation in the other role (Voydanoff, 2004, p. 399). In short, work life conflict is conflict between work and family responsibilities. Significance of Work-Life Balance Literature has shown that concept of Work-Life Balance is worth for discussion as it aims to create a balanced work-life. Work life balance is becoming an important issue as people deals with shrinking workplace and time pressure. Many studies have highlighted that work-life initiatives offer a win-win situation to both employees and employers and affect business progress and performance in many ways as improving work life balance practices increase productivity, employee well-being, reduces costs, lead to improve retention and recruitment and better motivation and morale for employees (Maxwell, 2005). Various theories have revealed that work life balance policies try to minimize stress and add to a healthier and safer work environment. Work life balance has been associated with greater employee commitment, job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior and its policies are beneficial for individuals, their families, physical health, mental health, relationships, creativity , organizations, and society (Brough et al., 2008 Grzywacz Carlson, 2007). Employees expect their employers to recognize that in addition to job they also have a life that includes their family, friends and social gathering. Studies have shown that a workforce that is out of balance faces stress and dissatisfaction which reduces family and work engagement. Work life balance issues are one of the main reasons which forces workers to quit their jobs. Therefore, work life balance is an important and increasingly hot topic because its about improving peoples quality of life and aims to widen access to career opportunities and paid employment. Firm size is also the next best predictor of the presence of work life balance policies; because its size affects the extent and type of work life balance policies a firm can offer. Large companies are more likely to offer longer and paid parental leave and flexible working hours (Beauregard Henry, 2009; Kucharova, 2009). In short, firms have re cognized that creating a balanced work and family life of employees is the only solution of all problems. Now, senior management has become more proactive about their employees health and they are introducing and implementing work life strategies. Measurement There is no as such one measurement tool for work life balance in literature. But most widely used tool is questionnaire and surveys. Most companies do questionnaires and survey to their employees to find out how balanced is their work and life is. One such questionnaire is discussed here. Employee has to select one option and each option is assigned different point. Options were based on a 5-point rating scale that ranged from never to always. Questions are: I have come home from work too tired to do the chores which need to be done? It has been difficult for me to fulfill my family responsibility because of the amount of time I spend on my job? I have arrived at work too tired to function well because of the household work I had done? I have found it difficult to concentrate at work because of my family responsibilities? Keep worrying about work problems when you are not working? Feel too tired after work to enjoy the things you would like to do at home? Find that your job prevents you from giving the time you want to your partner or family? Find that your partner or family gets fed up with the pressure of your job? If employee faces these problems quite often it means he/she is facing work life conflict (Pichler, 2008). Higher scores indicate imbalance rather than balance of work and life. (Other surveys and questionnaires are mentioned in appendix). Antecedents Which Cause Imbalance Work-Life In many researches both men and women has reported that they face difficulties in keeping a balance between family and work life, therefore, their lives suffer because of this imbalance. One of the main reasons for this difficulty is lack of support and help from their better half or spouse. In addition to this, work life (im)balance highly depends upon on job role, project-based job and nature of industry. For example, project-based work with unpredictable work pressure and requirement to deliver project consistently with predetermined time, often requires extensive travel disturb family relations. Additional working hours and working outside normal hours at expense of home and family time with high work intensity and pressure may result in bad health, stress, anxiety, fatigue and adverse/unpleasant psycho-physiological consequences that can have dreadful affect on quality of family and work life. Some researches has indicated that despite of an overall decline in weekly working hou rs across Europe over the last decade, the increased stress level, insecurities and competition at work-place are considered to be additional factors which are relevant in creating disruption of balance in life (Valk Srinivasan, 2011; Pichler, 2008). Literature has also highlighted that fact that highest level of stress occurs when job demands are high whereas work life balance practices and policies are low. There are also some barriers which restrict organizations to implement work life balance policies that are job requirements, commitment and loyalty, cultural values, and change (Chiang et al., 2010). According to Voydanoff (2004), work demands expected to be highly associated with work-to-family conflicts which are of two types i.e. time based and strain based. Long paid working hours restrict an individuals time that can be spent with friends and family. This lack of time may create difficulties for employees in maintaining family relationship and performing family orientated task or duties. Sometimes, strain-based demands (job insecurity or concern over losing a job) threaten the economic well-being that is necessary to quality of life and stability. The stress related with job insecurity decreases interpersonal availability and restricts effective participation in family life. Sometimes, family responsibilities also restricts person to perform his/her work duties effectively but researches have been more focused on work to family conflict rather than family to work conflict. Consequences Conflict between family and work has real and worth discussing consequences which extensively affects quality of life and career success for both women and men. Stressfulness, lower productivity, low employee morale, decreased job satisfaction, absenteeism and sickness are some common consequences which are caused by work life conflict. The consequences for women may comprise serious career choices and constraints, limited career advancement opportunity and success in their work role and need to choose between an active satisfying career or marriage and children. Most of the men face tradeoff between career and personal values when they tries to find out ways to make dual career families work that often requires them to hold family roles that are far different and open. Other serious consequences of imbalance work-life are alcohol-drug abuse, negative physical and mental health effects, poorer outcomes for dependants and other household members, a lesser work contribution, a diminuti on of social citizenship and community participation, depression, financial and marital problems, distrust, tardiness, cheating and violence in workplace, task avoidance, embezzlement, organizational sabotage, compulsive eating disorder and burnout (Voydanoff, 2004; Pocock, 2005). Because of these serious consequences organization faces with the prospect of losing talented men and women who because of imbalance between work and life become unable to cope with dual family and work demands. That is why; organizations reconsider personnel policies and expectations. Factors Which Help in Creating Work Life Balance The role of social/family support and supervisor/co-worker support has consistently emerged in literature as an important factor that influences work family balance in a positive manner. Social support includes support from an employees parents, siblings, spouse or partner, children, friends and extended family. Of particular importance is support from the spouse who contributes in a variety of areas including moral, domestic and childcare support, earnings and personal financial management, home and family responsibilities, career management and interpersonal support. Family support also includes the exchange of support among relatives. The personal social support can be further conceptualized as emotional and instrumental support, thus suggesting that it positively influences the individuals functioning at work. The role of workplace support, i.e., the support received from supervisors and co-workers is another critical element of work family balance. Organizational and supervisor understanding of family duties are positively related to satisfaction with the balance between work and family life. Workplace support via an organizational approach involves the implementation of family friendly policies, which are associated with integrating work and family responsibilities and achieving a healthy work and family balance. Organizations offer a wide range of work family benefits and programs to their employees (these are discussed in appendix). Through research it is found that flexible work arrangements allow individuals to maintain a balanced life. There is also importance of supportive supervisors, peers and colleagues in managing their work family balance. Literature recognizes that all of the above mentioned variables have a greater impact on women. An emerging category appeared to achieve work life balance that is self-management or reinvention: reconsidering not only the kind of work one wants to do but also the kind of person one wants to be and the sacrifi ces one is prepared to make to grow into that new self (Valk Srinivasan, 2011; Wayne et al., 2007; Voydanoff, 2004). Communication about work life programs to employees and providing proper resources and rewards to them also contribute towards work life balance. Advantages of Balanced Work and Life Researchers are now focusing on how family and work can benefit each other and this concept is known as work life facilitation. This facilitation may take place when gain from one domain can be transferred to and improving the functioning in the other domain. Work life balance can serve as a guide for organizations to address family work balance issues by redesigning the HR practices and policies for facilitating family work balance. This will help further help in enabling workers to be more committed to the organization, perform better work, and contribute to growth of economy and positive impact for society as whole (Valk Srinivasan, 2011). Work-Life programs promotes improve productivity and employee commitment, lower rate of turnover, thus result in fewer employee relation challenges and reduced likelihood of unethical business practices. Moreover, implementation of work life balance policies can result in less loss of knowledge workers to competitors, reduced staff turnover, lo wer training and recruitment costs, reduced absenteeism, improved quality of workers, reduction in work stress, reduced use of sick leave, high self-esteem, confidence and loyalty, better performance and high morale and satisfaction. Some vital benefits that employer gains from work life balance includes employees feel valuable and work harder, maximized available labor, more loyal and motivated workforce, less stressful workplace, high employee involvement, organizational effectiveness and positive employee attitude and behavior (Beauregard Henry, 2009). Work life promotes happiness and better relations among employees and employers. Costs of Implementing Work Life Balance Policies The cost of implementing work life balance policies is another vital issue which organizations take into account. These costs include direct cost e.g. parental leave payments, childcare subsidies, cost of extra space associated with increased facilities like breastfeeding rooms or childcare facilities, providing equipment to telecommuters and indirect costs such as temporarily filing absentees post and reduction in productivity from temporary disruptions (Darcy et al., 2012; Brough et al., 2008). It has also highlighted that managers role plays a critical role in policy development and implementation. Poor managers/supervisors skills and behaviors in work life balance practice can lead to increase costs (Maxwell, 2005). According to Roberts (2008) a reduction in worked hours is perhaps the most obvious route for employees to improve their work life balance despite the connected costs in terms of income, career and status. Managerial Implications/Recommendations Based on feedback from family and co-worker a person can evaluate whether he/she fulfilling both family and work responsibilities (Grzywacz Carlson, 2007). Work life balance support and practices promotes a mean by which workers may alter their work hours and condition in a way which can reduce stress. When employees enjoy high degree of freedom and flexibility, sense of job control will increase, thus alleviating job stress (Chiang et al., 2010). Work life balance practices can have positive impact on employees and competition at firm level. These are some suggestions to promote work-life policies and program: (1) Use questionnaires to find out what workers feel about work life balance. (2) Review HR strategy and see if they support companys mission. (3) Develop work-life reward programs by using non-cash incentives associated with business objective. (4) Align HR strategy (e.g. employer of choice) with work-life initiatives (McCarthy et al., 2010). Work-life initiatives also creat e positive employer branding, promote organizational citizenship; endorse being an employer of choice and support diversity programs. To start work-life programs, managers should consider these key areas: employee retention, absenteeism, employee time save, increase productivity and motivation and decrease stress related illness and health care costs. However, the entire work-life programs cannot be told firmly by only quantitative measurements. HR professionals must consider four significant questions: (1) do supervisors and managers aware of the impact work life balance and its policies has on their employees, (2) does a firm culture and environment truly support work-life benefits, (3) does the companys management philosophy sincerely promotes work-life benefits, (4) are workers aware of and do they recognize companys work-life policies and programs. If a company is already in practice of offering work-life benefits, then the next step for it would be to re-communicate and repack age them so employees can see how such benefits may find them ways to reduce or manage work-family conflict. Moreover, creating a HR strategy that clearly comply with companys mission will exhibit that how committed the company is to its employees needs. Organizations may need to adopt more modified work life balance programs, initiatives and have the courage to go beyond from a one size fits all approach (Darcy et al., 2012; McCarthy et al., 2010). In other words, Companies may need to re-think work life balance more specifically and need to pay more attention on it. Work life balance programs are not reduced hours, flexible delivery, but it is about assisting people to match their behavior to their values (Reiter, 2007). According to Grawitch et al., (2010) its not about balance, its about resource allocation (in appendix, it is discussed in more detail). Companies should tailor its HR and work life balance policies according to the need of the employees and should implement it ef fectively to get desired results. Discussion Findings From the literature we found that younger employees and employees in professional and managerial positions account higher levels of work life conflict. Singles are generally more balanced than people whose partner is in paid work. Long working hours, high levels of job insecurity, a lack of power in deciding when to start or finish work and demanding jobs result in higher imbalance in work and life. Women with children also report high level of work life conflict (Pichler, 2008). But it was revealed by Emslie Hunt (2009) that there is no clear relationship between work life balance and gender. It is definitely clear that women is considered to do the home related work, on other hand men is also supposed to fulfill family responsibilities. There is also no clear relationship between work life conflict and age of employees children, but there is some evidence about those employees whose children are below three faces more work life imbalance. A one size fits all approach used for the development of work life balance programs is costly and ineffective to meet the needs of different type of employees. Job involvement was negatively related to work life balance whereas, perceived managerial support was positively related to work life balance (Darcy et al., 2012). It was found by Kucharova (2009) that there is no clear relationship between work life balance and economic condition of the different countries. It was found that sometimes flexible working and working from home increase work life conflict and part time work and job sharing also sometimes increase work pressure. There was no clear relationship found between flexible working arrangements and working conditions such as pay, promotion opportunities and employee commitment (Russell et al., 2009; Moore, 2006). Through study of Reiter (2007) it was clear that organizational development field is struggling with the apparent lack of success of work life balance programs in many organizations and this is caused by lack of investment by companies and government in work life balance initiatives. Furthermore, to gain real value from investment in work life balance, organizations need to recognize it as a complex issue and apply much more holistic solutions than has usually been the case. Conclusion In conclusion, we like to say that people who combine all aspects of their life in a balanced manner should therefore be the most satisfied and happiest one. In short, work life balance is part of the general well-being. The higher work-life imbalance, the lower are life satisfaction, happiness, subjective health and emotional well-being. Work life balance programs have the potential to extensively reduce absenteeism, improve employee morale and keep hold of organizational knowledge, particularly during hard economic times. In such a marketplace where there is increasing globalization and companies aspire to reduce costs, it depends upon human resource expert to comprehend the serious issues of work life balance and become of winner work life programs. It will cost some money, but in the long run, the company will benefit from this. If properly introduced and implemented then work life balance programs can be win-win situation for employee, family and organization. Flexible working a rrangements are important but it should be catered according to employees needs, resources, time and demands to get more improved results. Work life balance is associated with quality of life and is not only a moral issue it is productivity and economic issue, a workplace issue and a social issue, and needs to be addressed as such. We can also measure by using some other questions and that are, how successful do you feel in balancing your paid work and family life? Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the balance between your job or main activity and family and home life? I am satisfied with the balance I have achieved between my work and life? I am able to balance the demands of my work and the demands of my family? I experience a high level of work-family balance? I am satisfied with the balance I have achieved between my work life and my family life? How successful do you feel in balancing your paid work and family life? Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the balance between your job or main activity and family and home life? Responses were based on a 5-point rating scale that ranged from strongly disagree to strongly agree. (Allen Kiburz, 2011; Kucharova, 2009; Reiter, 2007). Factors Which Help in Creating Work Life Balance Organizations offer a wide range of work family benefits and programs to their employees such as job sharing, staggered hours, compressed working hours, telecommuting, job protected parental leave, part-time return to work options, shift swapping, flextime, resource and referral services, unpaid family leave, dependent care assistance, shorter standard work weeks, improvement in job conditions, breaks from work, work for home, on-site childcare, support groups for working parents, sports facilities, day-care facilities, laundry facilities, and canteen facilities (Valk Srinivasan, 2011; Wayne et al., 2007; Voydanoff, 2004). Its not about Balance, Its about Resource Allocation Literature has re-conceptualizes the frame work of WLB. Previous researches have given more emphasized on the ways in which work and non-work life affect each other, but now new studies has introduced the concept of Personal Resource Allocation (PRA) framework which considers that all life demands forces an individual to make choices about where, when, how to allocate personal resources across the life domains. This Framework has four main central components which include personal resources, demands, resources allocation strategies and the individual outcomes. It suggests that effective work-life balance is an effective personal resource allocation across all life pursuits. It allows researchers to move beyond the old assumption of WLB, in which work life is considered bad and family life considered as good, to person-environment interactions that brings positive individual outcomes. According to PRA framework, individuals bring their personal resources to their daily lives, and beca use they come across repeated demands (anything that competes for personal resources) on their resources so, these demand forces them to make choices where to allocate these resources. Once the resources are allocated, then individuals are left with fewer resources to meet additional demands (Figure1, in appendix shows the PRA framework). Therefore, positive outcomes can only be achieved if (a) perceives that they have necessary resources to respond to their demands of life, (b) when they believe that they have adequate control to allocate their resource according their preferences, (c) when they feel satisfied with the way they have managed their resources (Grawitch et al., 2010). This Framework has presented the rethinking concept of WLB interface by de-emphasizing the negative role that work plays in life and emphasizing a resource allocation strategy. This theory incorporates person-environment interactions that bring positive outcomes, instead of, simply those that decrease or increase outcomes.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
A Sunday Night Tradition Essay -- Essays Papers
A Sunday Night Tradition Sunday nights are a special time around my house back at home in Wheaton, Illinois. They are a time when my family all gets together and has dinner as a group. It is a time when we all get to talk and share our stories of how our weeks went, what is to come in the following week, and other various topics. This whole Sunday night ritual always takes place in our dining room. The dining room is attached to our kitchen; it is a small room, just large enough to fit our large oak dining room table. Around the table sits six large, old, creaky chairs. Week after week, year after year, we are always in the same formation around that table. My father sits at the head of the table, it is a position that illustrates respect and is furthest away from the kitchen, perhaps saying he wants nothing to do with the cooking and cleaning up duties. He is always first to sit down and the last to leave the table, because he enjoys his time with the family so much he wants to make it as long as possible. My mother sits on the opposite end of the table, the closest seat to the kitchen, which makes perfect sense because she is always the last person to be seated and is constantly getting up to get something from the kitchen. On the other side of the table sits my little nine-year old brother, he sits next to my dad because he is always in his shadow, he looks up to him and imitates nearly everything he does. He sits next to the furthest from the kitchen bec...
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