Medicinal Marijuana use in the United States Essay

Although many individuals find medical marijuana illegal, and unnecessary, it is a natural herb used to help symptoms caused by chronic illnesses. Over three million Americans use medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is the most widely used drug used to treat chronic illnesses in seventeen states. The use of medical marijuana has been a controversial issue here in the United States. Although, there are healthcare professionals that do believe that the use of medical marijuana can be very beneficial for patients. Just as there are benefits associated with the use of medical marijuana there are also negative effects. Many American are still unfamiliar with Medical Marijuana, so what is medical marijuana? Medical marijuana also known as â€Å"cannabis sativa†(Harold E Dowieko 2009) is a naturally growing plant that produces tetra-hydrocannabinol and cannabidiol.(Harold E Dowieko 2009) These chemicals are both thought to have possible effects on lessening the bad side effects from chronic diseases. Medical marijuana has been used for health reasons for centuries. Marijuana was a legal herb in the United States until 1937 when the United States passed a law making it illegal to sell. (Kring, Davinson, Naele & Johnson 2007) Marijuana was then made legal for medicinal use in 1995. The state of California was the first state in the United States to make marijuana legal for medical purposes. Medicinal marijuana is now legal in seventeen states. These states include; â€Å"Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington state.† (â€Å"Thc.me History†, n.d.) In all of these state a patient can obtain a medical marijuana license, also referred to as a â€Å"green card,† from a licensed physician. Patients must have documentation stating what chronic illnesses they have that may require the need for medicinal marijuana. The physician will then decide if the use of marijuana will be beneficial. Medical marijuana has been proven to benefit patients who have multiple illnesses. The most common uses for medical marijuana are; pain relief, loss of appetite, depression, and diseases such as AIDS and cancer. TCH has been proven to block pain receptors in the brain. The blockage of these pain receptors allows patients dealing with chronic pain to have some relief. Medicinal marijuana also stimulates appetite, and relieves symptoms associated with depression, AIDS and cancer. This enables patients to not have to rely on the use of prescription pain pills such opiods. Meidcal marijuana is also less addictive, and has less physical side effects than other prescription pain relievers. Just as there are positive benefits associated with medical marijuana there are some health risks. First, marijuana is not regulated by the FDA. The FDA is the food and drug administration. They regulate medication and ensure the safety and risk associated with drugs. Without the FDA regulating medical marijuana there is no way for patients to know if they are getting correct information pertaining to the exact marijuana they are smoking, and if there may be additives or chemicals on the marijuana. This can be risky for patients, because marijuana comes in much different strength. The FDA has also found that dosing of medical marijuana is hard due to the effects taking around thirty minutes for patients to feel. The main health risk that medical marijuana has is psychological effects. According to Kring, Davinson, Naele, and Johnson â€Å" rapid shifts of emotion, to dull attention, to fragment thoughts, impair of memory, and sense that time is moving more slowly.† (Chapter 10) Kring, Davinson, Naele, and Johnson also stated â€Å"extremely heavy dosing has been found to induce hallucinations and other effects similar to those of LSD.† (Chapter 10)Another risk associated with medicinal cannabis is the harmful effect done to lungs. There have been many studies done that look at the respiratory risk associated with regular marijuana use. In one study done with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey it concluded that the risk of respiratory illness does rise. Marijuana damages lungs just as smoke cigarettes. The last major health risk associated with medical marijuana is a lowered immune system. This can be very dangerous for patients that are dealing with cancer and AIDS. Since these patients already have very low immune systems because of their disease. Doctors prescribing medicinal marijuana must ensure that the benefits of marijuana use out ways the risks. Although a controversial issue in the United States medical marijuana does have many potential health benefits for patients with chronic illnesses. Statistics now show that eight out of ten Americans support the use of medicinal marijuana. This is because previously I have stated through studies done; the benefits of medical marijuana outweigh the risks associated with medical marijuana use. With already seventeen states in the United States allowing the legalization of medical marijuana. It is fair to say medical marijuana can be very helpful for patients who need it. Currently there are more states in the process of trying to legalize medical marijuana. Some say eventually marijuana as a whole will be a legal substance in the United States. In years to come as Americans we will see how medical marijuana plays a role in the pharmaceutical and medical fields. References Moore, B., Auguston, E., & Moser, r. (2012, October). Respiratory Effects of Marijuana and Tobacco Use in a U.S. Sample Bostwick, M. (2012, February Day). Blurred Boundaries: The Therapeutics and Politics of Medical Marijuana. , p. . dowieko, h. E. (2009). Concepts of medical dependency (7th ed.). : cengage learning. Kring, A. M., Davinson, G. G., Naele, J. M., &Johnson. S. L. (2007). Abnormal Psychology [University of Phoenix Custom Edition eBook]. : John Wiley and Sons INC.. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, website. THC.me History. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.thc.me

Succubus Revealed Chapter 13

Roman was impossible to live with after that. He refused to tell me any more details, only that Seth needed to undergo hypnosis and that more would be revealed once that happened. â€Å"But don't you think I should know now?† I demanded, for what felt like the hundredth time the following day. â€Å"I don't want to influence either of you,† came the response. â€Å"Just in case I'm wrong.† â€Å"I thought you said you'd figured it out! You're saying now that there's a chance you might be wrong?† â€Å"There's always a chance,† he said pragmatically. â€Å"But I don't think I'm wrong.† And with that infuriating response, there was nothing I could do except wait and speculate. I couldn't figure out what exactly Roman planned on doing with hypnosis, but at least it seemed relatively safe. I wouldn't have put it past Roman to say, â€Å"Let's stage a trap for some demons and use Seth as bait.† There were worse things than being hypnotized into clucking like a chicken, I supposed. It took a number of days to get an answer. The delay came from finding a time when both Seth and Hugh were available. Despite his many formidable skills, hypnosis apparently wasn't in Roman's repertoire. It was, however, in Hugh's, which I found kind of surprising. When I asked him about it, he explained that he'd once been at a medical conference, during which participants were required to take a certain number of seminars. He'd chosen hypnosis because he thought it would be a blow-off class. â€Å"It was actually harder than it seemed,† he remarked. â€Å"I did some more follow-up on it after the conference. Dabbled here and there. Haven't put it to much use since then, aside from an ill-fated date last year.† â€Å"Are you going to be able to do what Roman needs you to today?† I nodded toward my living room, where Roman was pacing like a caged animal. We were all waiting on Seth to show up, and Roman kept obsessing over small details necessary to create â€Å"the perfect hypnotic environment.† He was constantly adjusting the lighting and moving the recliner. Sometimes he'd put it in the center of the room. Other times, he'd drag it to the side, where there were more shadows. We'd given up on trying to advise him. He was too irritable and wound up. Hugh frowned, watching Roman. â€Å"I don't know. What he asked me to do . . . well, it's pretty basic, as far as technique goes. It's what he wants me to do with it that's kind of wacky. I've read up on it a little this week, and honestly . . . I don't know if it's going to work.† I still didn't know what â€Å"it† was and had resigned myself to patience. Seth arrived shortly thereafter, mood bright and optimistic. Andrea's improvement after Carter's visit had been remarkable, and it was affecting everyone in the household. I crossed my fingers every day that Hell wouldn't send someone back to undo what Carter had done. Seth gave me a half hug and kissed me on the lips, a further sign of his good mood since he was usually so reserved in front of others. â€Å"You missed a good time,† he told me. He was wearing a Princess Bride shirt today. â€Å"I took Kendall and the twins Christmas shopping. They got Ian some used copies of The Metamorphosis and Candide.† â€Å"He's into those?† I asked. â€Å"I mean, they're great books, but I just never thought of them as his thing.† â€Å"Well, they aren't mainstream best sellers – like some people's sellout books – so he's into the elitist appeal. He likes to go to coffee shops – obscure ones that you've never been to, naturally – and pretend to read counterculture literature. He'll be glad to have the new material.† Seth's amusement faded as he took in the living room, with all its drawn shades and Roman carefully arranging the recliner (again). Noticing our attention, Roman paused and glanced between the three of us. â€Å"I wasn't sure what background noise would work best, so I loaded a few different things onto my iPod. I've got ocean waves, wind chimes, and white noise.† Hugh shrugged. â€Å"Makes no difference to me. I'm not the one being hypnotized.† â€Å"I'm still not sure I can be hypnotized,† said Seth. â€Å"But if it doesn't matter . . . hmm, are there seagulls with the ocean waves?† â€Å"Yes,† said Roman. â€Å"Then let's go white noise.† Roman obligingly started it up, filling the room with what sounded more like faulty radio reception than soothing neutral sounds. â€Å"Maybe you should keep it at a low volume,† I suggested delicately. â€Å"You know, you don't want it to be so soothing that Seth falls asleep.† Roman looked dubious, but at a nod from Seth, the volume decreased. I might not understand how hypnotizing Seth was going to play into Hell's greater plans, but so long as Roman believed it was necessary, Seth got to call the shots. Seth gave me a quick hand squeeze and a smile that was meant to be reassuring. He didn't like immortal affairs but had accepted this crazy venture for me. Following Roman's direction, Seth settled himself into the recliner and eased it back. Hugh pulled up a stool near Seth, but Roman and I sat on the periphery of the living room. Hypnosis required a minimum of distractions, which we clearly were. I'd even had to lock the cats up in my bedroom earlier, to make sure Aubrey and Godiva didn't decide to jump on Seth's lap mid-session. â€Å"Okay,† said Hugh, after clearing his throat. â€Å"Are you ready?† He took out a small notepad, filled with his illegible writing. It was the most low-tech thing I'd seen him use in a while. â€Å"Ready as I'll ever be,† said Seth. Hugh glanced at Roman and me briefly, perhaps in case we had a last-minute change of heart, and then returned to the notepad. â€Å"Okay, close your eyes and take a deep breath. . . .† I was familiar with some of the basics of hypnosis, and the exercises that Hugh began with were pretty standard. Although Seth had been joking, I too honestly wondered if he could be hypnotized. Part of his nature as a writer was to focus on all the details of the world, making it difficult to hone in on one thing sometimes. Of course, he could also show single-mindedness for his work, and that was the attribute that soon came out. After a few minutes of guided breathing, it became clear that Seth was definitely growing more and more relaxed. I almost thought he'd actually fallen asleep, until Hugh began asking him questions. Seth responded, eyes closed, voice perfectly steady. â€Å"I want you to go back,† said Hugh. â€Å"Back in your memories. Go past your thirties, into your twenties. From there, think about your college years. Then high school.† He allowed a pause. â€Å"Are you thinking about high school?† â€Å"Yes,† said Seth. â€Å"Okay. Go further back in time, back to middle school. Then elementary school. Can you remember a time before then? Before you started school?† There was a slight delay before Seth spoke. Then: â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"What is your earliest memory?† â€Å"In a boat, with my father and Terry. We're on a lake.† â€Å"What are they doing?† â€Å"Fishing.† â€Å"What are you doing?† â€Å"Watching. Sometimes I get to help hold a pole. But mostly I just watch.† I felt a knot form in my stomach. I didn't fully understand Roman's strategy here, but there was something terribly personal and vulnerable about what we were doing, listening to these memories. Seth rarely spoke of his father, who had passed away when Seth was in his early teens, and it seemed wrong to â€Å"make† him do it in this state. â€Å"Go back even further. Can you remember anything before that? Any earlier memories?† asked Hugh. He seemed uneasy, a sharp contrast to Seth's utter calmness. † No. â€Å" â€Å"Try,† said Hugh. â€Å"Try to go back further.† â€Å"I . . . I'm in a kitchen. The kitchen at our first house, in a high chair. My mom's feeding me, and Terry's walking through the door. He runs to her and hugs her. He's been gone all day, and I don't understand where he's been.† School, if I had to guess. I tried to put an age on this memory, using what I knew of the age difference between the brothers. How long did kids stay in high chairs? And how young would he have to be to not understand the concept of school? Three? Two? â€Å"That's great,† said Hugh. â€Å"That's really great. Now keep going even more. Go back to something even earlier.† I frowned, thinking they were kind of pushing it now. I was no expert in human memory, but I thought I'd once read about how two was the age when memories really began forming. Seth seemed to struggle with this as well, frowning despite his otherwise calm exterior. â€Å"Okay,† he said. â€Å"I've got one.† â€Å"Where are you?† said Hugh. â€Å"I don't know.† â€Å"What do you see?† â€Å"My mother's face.† â€Å"Anything else?† â€Å"No. That's all I remember of that.† â€Å"That's okay,† said Hugh. â€Å"Now find something else before that. Any memory. Any image or sensation.† â€Å"There's nothing,† said Seth. â€Å"Try,† said Hugh, not looking nearly as confident as he sounded. â€Å"It doesn't matter how vague it is. Anything you can remember. Anything at all.† â€Å"I . . . there's nothing,† said Seth, the frown deepening. â€Å"I can't remember anything before that.† â€Å"Try,† repeated Hugh. â€Å"Go further back.† This was getting ridiculous. I opened my mouth to protest, but Roman caught hold of my arm, silencing me. I glared at him, hoping I could convey all my frustrations at what they were doing to Seth in one look. Roman simply shook his head and mouthed Wait. â€Å"I remember . . . I remember faces. Faces looking at me. Everyone's so much bigger than me. But they're mostly shadows and light. I can't see . . . can't comprehend much detail.† Seth paused. â€Å"That's it. That's all there is.† â€Å"You're doing good,† said Hugh. â€Å"You're doing great. Just listen to the sound of my voice, and keep breathing. We need to go back even earlier. What do you remember before that? Before the faces?† â€Å"Nothing,† said Seth. â€Å"There's nothing there. Just blackness.† Roman shifted in his chair, going rigid. He leaned forward, eyes bright and excited. Hugh glanced over questioningly, and Roman gave an eager nod. Swallowing, Hugh turned back to Seth. â€Å"I need you . . . to go past the blackness. Go to the other side of it.† â€Å"I can't,† said Seth. â€Å"It's a wall. I can't cross it.† â€Å"You can,† said Hugh. â€Å"Listen to my voice. I'm telling you, you can. Push back in your memories, past the memories of this life, to the other side of the blackness. You can do it.† â€Å"I . . . I can't – † Seth cut himself off. For a moment, there was no other sound save the white noise on Roman's iPod, though it was a wonder I couldn't hear the pounding of my own heart. The frown that had been intensifying on Seth's face abruptly smoothed out. â€Å"I'm there.† Hugh shifted awkwardly, disbelief registering on his face. â€Å"You are? What are you doing? Where are you?† â€Å"I . . .† The frown returned, but it was different in nature. It was distress from the memory itself, not the effort. â€Å"I'm bleeding. In an alley.† â€Å"Are you . . . are you Seth Mortensen?† Hugh's voice was a whisper. † No. â€Å" â€Å"What's your name?† â€Å"Luc.† The frown smoothed again. â€Å"And now I'm dead.† â€Å"Go back to the alley,† said Hugh, regaining his courage. â€Å"Before you . . . before, um, Luc died. How did it happen? Why were you bleeding?† â€Å"I was stabbed,† said Seth. â€Å"I was trying to defend a woman. A woman I loved. She said we couldn't be together, but I know she didn't mean it. Even if she didn't, I still would've died for her. I had to protect her.† It was about that point that I stopped breathing. â€Å"Where are you?† Hugh reconsidered his question. â€Å"Do you know the year?† â€Å"It's 1942. I live in Paris.† Roman reached across me to a stray catalog on a chair. Producing a pen, he scrawled something on the catalog's cover and then handed it to Hugh. Hugh read it and then gently placed it on the floor. â€Å"Tell me about the woman,† he said to Seth. â€Å"What's her name?† â€Å"Her name is Suzette.† Someone let out a strangled gasp. Me. I stood up then, and Roman jerked me back down. A million protests sprang to my lips, and he actually had the audacity to clamp a hand over my mouth. He shook his head sharply and hissed in my ear, â€Å"Listen.† Listen? Listen? He had no idea what he was asking. He had no idea what he was hearing. For that matter, I wasn't sure either. All I knew was that there was no way this could be happening. Much like the night I'd gotten into bed with Ian, I had the surreal feeling that the only way any of this could be real was if I'd accidentally stumbled into someone else's life. â€Å"Tell me about Suzette,† said Hugh. â€Å"She has blond hair and blue eyes,† said Seth levelly. â€Å"She moves like music, but none of the music I make can compare to her. She's so beautiful . . . but so cruel. Not that I think she means to be. I think she believes she's helping.† â€Å"Go back now,† said Hugh. â€Å"Back to your childhood, Seth – I mean, Luc. Go back to your earliest memories as Luc. Are you there?† â€Å"Yes,† said Seth. â€Å"What do you see?† â€Å"My mother's funeral, though I don't understand it. She was sick.† â€Å"Okay. I need you to go back again, younger and younger, back until you hit more blackness. Can you do that? Can you find it again?† Again, the rest of us held our breath, waiting for Seth to respond. â€Å"Yes,† he said. Hugh exhaled. â€Å"Go to the other side of that blackness, back before Luc. You can cross it. You did it before.† â€Å"Yes. I'm there.† â€Å"What is your name now?† â€Å"My name is Etienne. I live in Paris . . . but it's a different Paris. An earlier Paris. There are no Germans here.† â€Å"What do you do for a living?† â€Å"I'm an artist. I paint.† â€Å"Is there a woman in your life? Girlfriend? Wife?† â€Å"There's a woman, but she's none of those. I pay to be with her. She's a dancer named Josephine.† I began to feel ill. The world was spinning, and I lowered my head, willing everything to settle back to its rightful order. I didn't need to hear Seth next describe Josephine. I could've done it down to the last curl. â€Å"Do you love her?† Hugh asked Seth. â€Å"Yes. But she doesn't love me back.† â€Å"What happens to her?† â€Å"I don't know. I ask her to marry me, but she says she won't. That she can't. She tells me to find someone else, but there is no one else. How can there be?† Hugh had no answer for that, but he had his rhythm now. He kept repeating the pattern, pushing Seth back further and further through impossible memories, always crossing that black wall, always asking Seth's name and location, where he was, and if there was a woman who'd broken his heart. â€Å"My name is Robert. I live in Philadelphia, the first of my family born in the New World. We run a newspaper, and I love a woman who works for us. Her name is Abigail, and I think she loves me too . . . but she disappears one night without a word.† â€Å"My name is Niccol. I'm an artist in Florence. It's 1497 . . . and there's this woman . . . this amazing woman. Her name is Bianca, but . . . she betrays me.† â€Å"My name is Andrew. I'm a priest in southern England. There's a woman named Cecily, but I can't allow myself to love her, not even when the plague takes me. . . .† On and on it went, and with each step Hugh helped Seth take back, part of my heart broke. All of this was impossible. Seth couldn't have lived all these lives and times he was describing – and not just because of the obvious problems of life and death as we knew them. Seth wasn't just describing his lives. He was describing mine. I had lived every one of these lives that Seth described. I had been Suzette, Josephine, Abigail, Bianca, Cecily . . . They were all identities I'd assumed, people I'd become when Hell had transferred me to new places over the centuries. I would reinvent myself, take on a new name, appearance, and vocation. For every one of my identities Seth mentioned, I had lived a dozen more. But the ones he talked about . . . the ones he claimed to know as well, they were the ones that stuck out to me. Because although I'd had countless lovers, in countless places, there were a handful who had struck some part of my soul, a handful whom I had truly loved, despite the impossibility of our situations. And Seth was touching upon every one of them, checking them off like items on a grocery list. Only, he wasn't just talking about these men I'd loved. He was talking about being them. Whereas I had created these lives, he was acting as though he'd been born into them, born as these lovers I'd had, only to die and be reborn again in some other place with me. . . . It was impossible. It was terrifying. And eventually, it stopped. â€Å"That's it,† said Seth at last. â€Å"I can't go back further.† â€Å"You know you can,† said Hugh. â€Å"You've done it before. Are you at the blackness again?† â€Å"Yes . . . but it's different than before. It's not like the others. It's more solid. Harder to cross. Impossible to cross.† â€Å"Not impossible,† said Hugh. â€Å"You've already proven that. Cross back to the next life.† â€Å"I can't.† The thing was, I was beginning to agree with Seth. I didn't think there was anything else he could go back to, not if he was paralleling my lives. I'd jumped ahead of him at one point and made some educated guesses on what he would say, and I'd been right each time. I knew how many great loves I'd had as a succubus, and there were none left. Before Seth, there had been eight. â€Å"Push through,† urged Hugh. â€Å"I can't,† said Seth. â€Å"They won't let me. I'm not supposed to remember.† â€Å"Remember what?† â€Å"That life. The first life.† â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"It's part of the bargain. My bargain. No, wait. Not mine. Hers, I think. I'm not supposed to remember her. But how can I not?† It was another of those rhetorical questions, and Hugh looked to Roman and me for help. The imp had been confident there for a while, once the lives began rolling off so easily, but this was something different. Seth wasn't making a lot of sense, not that this had all been particularly crystal clear so far. Roman made gestures that seemed to be both encouraging and impatient, with a general notion that Hugh should improvise. â€Å"Who's this bargain with?† asked Hugh. â€Å"I . . . I don't know. They're just there, waiting for me in the blackness. After the first life. I'm supposed to go on to the light, but I can't. There's something missing. I'm incomplete. My life has been incomplete . . . but I can't remember why. . . .† Seth furrowed his brow, straining with the effort of remembering. â€Å"I just know I can't move on. So they make a bargain.† â€Å"What's the bargain?† â€Å"I can't remember.† â€Å"Yes, you can,† said Hugh, surprisingly gentle. â€Å"You were just talking about it.† â€Å"I don't remember the details.† â€Å"You said it was about you being incomplete. Something was missing.† â€Å"No . . . someone. My soul mate.† Seth's breathing, which had been so steady throughout all of this, grew a little shaky. â€Å"I'm supposed to go on with her, into the light. I can feel it. I wasn't supposed to live that life alone. I wasn't supposed to go to the light afterward alone. But she's not there. She's not anywhere I can get to now. They say they'll give me a chance to find her, a chance to find her and remember. They say I can have ten lives to be with her again but that one is used up. Then I have to go with them forever.† â€Å"This life that you can't remember,† prompted Hugh. â€Å"You said it's your first life, right? The one that's on the other side of this, uh, extra thick wall of blackness? The life they say you've already used?† â€Å"Yes,† said Seth. â€Å"That's the first. The one I'm supposed to forget.† â€Å"You can remember it,† said Hugh. â€Å"You're already remembering parts of it, things you aren't supposed to. Go to the other side of the blackness, before the bargain, before your death. What do you remember?† â€Å"Nothing.† â€Å"Do you remember a woman? Think about the bargain. The soul mate. Can you remember her?† Seth's silence stretched into eternity. â€Å"I . . . yes. Kind of. I feel her absence, though I don't understand it at the time.† â€Å"Have you made it back yet?† asked Hugh. â€Å"To the first life?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"What is your name?† â€Å"Kyriakos.† â€Å"Do you know where you are? Where you live?† â€Å"I live south of Pafos.† The name meant nothing to Hugh, but it meant everything to me. I began to slowly shake my head, and Roman gripped hold of my arm again. I'm not sure what he was afraid I'd do. It seemed to be an all-purpose attempt to keep me from interrupting the nightmare unfolding before me, either with word or movement. He needn't have worried. The rest of me was frozen. â€Å"Do you know the year?† asked Hugh. â€Å"No,† said Seth. â€Å"What do you do?† Hugh asked. â€Å"What's your job?† â€Å"I'm a musician. Unofficially. Mostly I work for my father. He's a merchant.† â€Å"Is there a woman in your life?† † No. â€Å" â€Å"You just said there was. Your soul mate.† Seth considered. â€Å"Yes . . . but she's not there. She was, and then she wasn't.† â€Å"If she was, then you must be able to remember her. What's her name?† He shook his head. â€Å"I can't. I'm not supposed to remember her.† â€Å"But you can. You're already doing it. Tell me about her.† â€Å"I don't remember,† said Seth, the faintest touch of frustration in his voice. â€Å"I can't.† Hugh tried a new tactic. â€Å"How do you feel? How do you feel when you think of her?† â€Å"I feel . . . wonderful. Complete. Happier than I ever believed possible. And yet . . . at the same time, I feel despair. I feel horrible. I want to die.† â€Å"Why? Why do you feel both happiness and despair?† â€Å"I don't know,† said Seth. â€Å"I don't remember.† â€Å"You do. You can remember.† â€Å"Roman,† I breathed, finding my voice at last. â€Å"Make this stop.† He only shook his head, eyes riveted on Seth. Roman's entire body was filled with tension and eagerness, anxiously straining forward for the last pieces of info to fill out the theory he'd put together. â€Å"She . . . I loved her. She was my world. But she betrayed me. She betrayed me and tore my heart out.† â€Å"Her name,† said Hugh, catching some of Roman's excitement. â€Å"What was her name?† â€Å"I can't remember,† said Seth, shifting uncomfortably. â€Å"It's too terrible. They made me forget. I want to forget.† â€Å"But you didn't,† said Roman, suddenly standing up. â€Å"You didn't forget it. What is it? What is the woman's name?† Seth's eyes flew open, either because of his own inner turmoil or from Roman breaking the trance. Either way, the calm state of relaxation was gone. Raw emotions played over Seth's features: shock, sorrow, hate. And as he gazed around and reoriented himself to his surroundings, his eyes – and all of those dark, terrible feelings – focused on me. â€Å"Letha,† he gasped. â€Å"Her name is Letha.†

Business and Administration Essay Sample

You should utilize this file to finish your Assessment.* The first thing you need to make is salvage a transcript of this papers. either onto your computing machine or a disc * Then work through your Assessment. retrieving to salvage your work on a regular basis * When you’ve finished. print out a transcript to maintain for mention * Then. travel to www. vision2learn. com and direct your completed Assessment to your coach via your My Study country – make certain it is clearly marked with your name. the class rubric and the Unit and Assessment figure. Please note that this Assessment papers has 8 pages and is made up of 7 Sections. Name: Section 1 – Know the employment rights and duties of the employee and employer 1. Identify four chief points that would be included in a contract of employment. If possible. utilize an illustration contract to back up your reply ( experience free to befog any confidential information ) . A Contract of Employment should include the undermentioned:1. Name of both the employee and the Employer. This transcript of my contract besides includes the day of the month of beginning. 2. Job Title. topographic point of work and duties.3. Rate of Pay.4. Hours of Work. 2a ) List three cardinal points of statute law that affect employers in a concernenvironment. 1. Health A ; Safety2. Data Protection Act 19883. Employment Rights and Duties 2b ) List three cardinal points of statute law that affect employees in a concern environment. 1. Health A ; Safety2. Pay A ; Pensions3. Employment Rights A ; Duties 3. Identify a scope of topographic points where a individual can happen information on employment rights and duties. You should place at least two internal and two external beginnings of information. Information sing employment rights and duties can be found in a legion sum of different topographic points. Statutory employment rights can be found within most libraries every bit good as citizen advice agency. The information will most probably be provided within a brochure signifier. slug indicating the chief countries of concern. Another External beginning of information sing rights and duties is the cyberspace. Many web sites will supply both statutory every bit good as contractual employment rights. These Web sites include the undermentioned Direct. gov. United Kingdom this is the authorities run website. another is ACAS. org this provides information used by trade brotherhoods. Internal beginnings of information can be used to happen information sing rights and duties ; these are more likely to be specific to the industry as opposed to employment in general. This information can be found within company’s enchiridion. The enchiridion will sketch a company’s polici es of different issues ; these will include vacations. unifrom. grudge and disciplinary processs. Dismissal. Sick Pay. This is non a contract so hence the information provided within the enchiridion will be capable to everyone within the work force. non as an person. Manuals such as Health and Safety or Legal manuals can besides supply internal beginnings of information. These will include elaborate history for who within a company is responsible for what. where and why. 4. Describe how representative organic structures can back up employees. Representative organic structures come under two classs. Trade brotherhoods and non trade brotherhoods. The difference being that trade brotherhoods are an official representative. although both can back up employees in many different ways. Both administrations can supply employees with specific information in respects to the field of work they are within. This can include Financial. Legal. Educational every bit good as informing employees what benefits they are entitled to do usage of. Representative organic structures are besides allowed to attach to employees to certain meetings ; these can be anything from Disciplinary. Grievance to workplace alterations. Representatives provide the employee with the information they believe is in the best involvement of the employee as opposed to the employer. take a firm standing that people’s rights are maintained within their work environment. 5. Briefly describe employer and employee duties for equality and diverseness in a concern environment. You should give at least two employer duties and two employee duties. If possible. supply relevant equality and diverseness processs from your workplace ( or topographic point of survey ) to back up your reply. These paperss should be annotated to foreground the relevant subdivisions. In 2010 parliament passed the equality act 2010. This act was passed to censor the unjust intervention of people who may differ from others. Using Four Previous Acts: Equality pay act 1970. sex favoritism act 1975. race dealingss act 1976 Disability favoritism act 1995. the authorities implemented the alterations to how people could be treated within employment. instruction and services. The Equality act protects people’s spiritual beliefs. sexual orientation. age. disablement from being used against them. Consequently concerns and administrations have policies which are enforced within the workplace to guarantee that this act isn’t broken. Employers have to do certain that all staff are trained on what is required from them in order to take part within implementing the act. They will hold to guarantee they have sufficient transcripts of the policy within all on the job environments and that all staff are aware of where to happen this information for when and if they require it. It is the duty of the employee to guarantee that they enforce the statute law within their immediate on the job environment. Employers should besides be cognizant that they should inform higher direction when they witness the act non being implementing it. leting higher direction to cover with the state of affairs and supply more equal preparation if required. Below is an image of a statement included within Betfred’s Company profile. within the staff enchiridion. This highlights what the employers expect from their employee and the effects of non implementing the statute law. This is merely their statement and more information can be found within the staff enchiridion. Betfred staff enchiridion. Company Profile. Page 6 6. Briefly explain the benefits of doing certain equality and diverseness processs are followed in a concern environment. Your reply should include one benefit for the employer. one benefit for the employee and one benefit for the overall administration. There are many benefits in guaranting that equality and diverseness processs are carried out right within concerns. non merely to employers but employees excessively. Employees will profit from working within an administration that has these processs set in topographic point for promotional grounds. An employee regardless of gender. race faith etc will cognize that publicities and developing strategies will be given out due to the virtue of their work. as a consequence promoting the employee to seek their best at everything they do. This therefore is advantageous to the employer. When an employee knows that difficult work dramas off and will be recognised for the right grounds. they are more likely to set more attempt and go more efficient within their on the job environment. Therefore in clip this will hike the productiveness or service of the company. accordingly bring forthing higher degrees of net income. When a company’s net incomes increase so will their repute. This wil l accordingly do the administration attract to possible employers. When an person is cognizant of a positive working environment. they will desire to work for that company. This will intend the administration will hold the choice of the best staff about. maintaining them at the top of their game. Section 2 – Understand the intent of wellness. safety and security processs in a concern environment 1. Identify employer and employee duties for wellness. safety and security. If possible. supply relevant wellness. safety and security policies / paperss from your workplace ( or topographic point of survey ) to back up your reply. These paperss should be annotated to foreground the relevant subdivisions. The Health and Safety at work act etc 1974. identifies the responsibilities of employers. employees. contractors. providers and anyone who manages and maintains a on the job environment. It stipulates who is responsible for what. when and why. It stipulates that all employees have a right to work in a hazard free safe environment in which employers are responsible for. However. it besides states that everyone has a duty for guaranting wellness and safety within the work topographic point. Employers must guarantee all working environments have an up to day of the month hazard appraisal. explicating to the user what any hazards are and how they should be controlled and who is responsible for them. Employers must supply any wellness and safety preparation possible every bit good as supplying the safety equipment which may be required for the occupation. E. g. Hard chapeau. overalls. protective baseball mitts. Employers must guarantee they have the certification required such as accident books. They should besides guarantee rinsing ; lavatory and imbibing installations are provided. Employee’s responsibilities differ to that of the employer. Employees must guarantee that they follow all preparation received and utilize all the protective equipment they have been provided with. Employers must guarantee they take duty for their ain wellness and safety but for their co-workers excessively. Finally an employee has the duty to guarantee the relevant people are informed when they witness person non following the right process and hence put on the lining their ain safety but besides the safety of others. Below is a transcript of the wellness and safety policy within my ain on the job environment. Each store contains two transcripts of the policy. One is displayed on position for staff at all times and one is kept within the wellness and safety booklet. which every store has. It stipulates the employee and employers duties. Betfred Health A ; Safety General Policy. 2. Explain the intent of following wellness. safety and security processs in a concern environment. The Purpose of following Health. safety and security processs. is to guarantee everyone has a safe working environment every bit good as people sing the working environment. A major intent of the processs and constabularies is to guarantee everyone is cognizant of theirs and others duties. vouching everyone implements these when they are required. There are many grounds why we should follow these processs. The most of import intent would be to follow the jurisprudence. The Health and safety at work act etc 1974. is a general wellness and safety policy which enforces certain Torahs to which all concerns have to follow. However. most industries are besides restricted by other Torahs which are set in topographic point such as Working Time Directive and Working Time Regulations. every bit good as Data protection Act 1998. Ignoring the process to guarantee these Torahs are abided can take to personal and organizational mulcts every bit good as closing of the concern ensuing in occupation losingss. Organisational regulations besides ties to the Law. The Law will be implemented with administrations regulations. hence if an employee was to interrupt the organizational regulations they are besides likely to be interrupting the jurisprudence. This can take to disciplinary processs which could take to dismissal. every bit good as legal action. The intent of following these processs has moral deductions excessively. It is morally right to maintain employees. clients and others safe from injury. Therefore everyone demands to be cognizant of the processs set in rock. The effects of neglecting to follow with the processs can be highly damaging non merely to the employers but besides to the employee. Loss of usage can impact concerns with bad wellness and safety as clients will travel elsewhere. failure to follow with legal deductions can incur costs such as mulcts. and compensation. which can ensue in redundancies and possible closing of concerns. This affects the employee as they will lose their occupation and hence income. This is why is it important that everybody take duty and dramas there portion in following the processs set in rock as they are at that place for everyone’s security. 3. Describe three different ways of keeping a safe and unafraid concern environment. Keeping a safe and unafraid concern environment can be done in many ways. One of these ways would be personal protection. as stated in the Health and Safety at work Act etc 1974. everyone has the duty to guarantee their ain safety. This can be done in a few different ways. Employees must guarantee they wear all the protective cogwheel provided for them at all the times they are required to make. They should guarantee they wear no points that can go debatable within the occupation that they may make. Not being bothered to have on protective chapeaus or baseball mitts or have oning wrong footwear to work. can both ensue in unsafe state of affairss non merely to the person but perchance to those working around them. Health and Safety would be amplified if everybody ensured their personal protection. Guaranting a safe and unafraid environment can besides be increased by personal behavior. How people behave in work can hold major reverberations on how safe and procure the working environm ent can be. Bad behavior which would be damaging to the safe and security of work could include the undermentioned behavior: practical gags on buildings sites which do travel incorrect. being intoxicated and hung over. can hold terrible deductions both in physical and academic places. terrible fatigue can take to miss of concentration. All of the above behavior can badly impact the working environment and present major hazards. By guaranting that none of this behavior takes topographic point within the workplace. wellness and safety issues will diminish guaranting that all policies are being implemented decently. Another manner of maintain a safe and unafraid environment would be to follow instructions. These can be providers. industries and even employers instructions. When a provider or maker has instructions of a merchandise. they are at that place for a ground. By supplying the terminal user with a set of instructions. ensures that the merchandise is used in the safest most effectual manner. These instructions can run from the how to utilize label on a cleaning merchandise or how to utilize a power tool. Employers besides provided instructions for the same ground. Although administrations instructions won’t needfully come on a label on a merchandise they are still given to guarantee an activity is done r ight in order to guarantee security and safety. These instructions may be to guarantee the security of informations. There are many different ways in which a concern environment can be maintained safely and firmly. but as shown in the three illustrations supra. most of the ways depend on the employee to guarantee their ain safety excessively. Section 3 – Understand how to pass on efficaciously with others 1. Complete the tabular array below with descriptions of different methods of communicating. You should include two verbal. two non-verbal and two written methods of communicating. Methods of communication| DescriptionVerbal communication| 1. One to One DiscussionsThis includes one individual speaking to another. This may merely merely affect one co-worker taking to another about the work in manus. This can besides include monthly action program meetings to discourse issues. 2. Telephone ConversationThis is a simple. speedy and convenient signifier of communicating and can be used for all different degrees of communicating. | Non-verbal communication| 1. Facial ExpressionsPeople’s Facial looks can besides pass on how people feel. Peoples smiling when hearing could be taken as they agree or promote what is being said. Sleep togethering 1s face up or glowering would pass on a concern for what is being said. 2. PostureA Persons Posture or Body Language can pass on to others how they are experiencing about a state of affairs. Positive Position could include sitting unsloped. looking at the talker and shoulders thrown back and chest out. | Written communicati on| 1. EmailsEmails can be used in order to inform a batch of people of the same message. Electronic mails can besides be used to go through in-depth information to those required. Attachments can be added with big files added. 2. MemosMemos tend to be used in big administrations in order to go through the same message to all subdivisions of the administration. These Memos will incorporate a brief description of what is required of those reading the memo. 2. Using two specific illustrations. explicate how to take the most appropriate method of communicating to run into your demands and the demands of others. Communication is required in all elements of concerns and administrations. from the informal to the formal scenes. Businesss hence need to use different attacks to who. what and how they wish to pass on with people and concern to concern communicating. The two illustrations below show how communicating information in different formats suits different hearers demands. Example 1 A New Gambling Law is introduced and a bookmakers needs to inform all staff about the alterations this make to them. First the Bookmakers will look at the company’s hierarchy and hence make up ones mind how the information will be communicated down the construction. This is most likely to be delivered to higher direction such as caputs of sections and regional/ Area Managers. in the format of a presentation. The Company will look at what they require from the result of the presentation which would be for those present to be derive the cognition and apprehension of the new statute law in order to travel Forth and develop lower direction and staff of what will be required of them. The Presentation will be within a formal scene in order to derive the full attending of the hearer due to the importance of the information being communicated. The mark audience will already hold a high competence of the industry and the slang used so the information provided within the presentation ca n be extremely elaborate and ocular AIDSs can be used to assist derive an apprehension of the information given. Example 2 A Company wishes to inform staff of the right process when taking the twenty-four hours of sick. A Company policy is already set in topographic point but a per centum of staff haven’t been following the right process. The company hence wishes the result of the information being communicated to be that staff will adhere to the right process. Due to the result the degree of communicating can be a written papers. The Company can direct a standard memo to all stores across the company guaranting all staff is cognizant of the right process. Therefore the mark audience is shop staff. direction included. Because the information is already provided within the enchiridion. the intent of the memo is to merely review people’s memories of how the process should be carried out. therefore a memo being less formal. The message doesn’t have to complex it merely merely needs to put in rock what is acceptable and what is non acceptable. The Handbook should be referenced within the memo informing staff where the regulations are and the effects of interrupting them. This is a simple manner of guaranting a message is delivered to all staff. It gets the point across is a simple elaborate manner. guaranting the terminal user obtains the information. 3. Describe at least two ways of actively listening. Active Listening demands to happen in order to retain all the information that is being provided. There are many ways that people can go active hearers. This includes inquiring inquiries. By inquiring inquiries the hearer become synergistic with the talker. and highlights the parts they find hard or disagree with. therefore doing the hearer retain more of the information given. When inquiring inquiries the hearer will so go more motivated to implement the message being portrayed. Another manner of going an active hearer is by doing notes. Making notes will assist the hearer after the meeting to retrieve what was said and hence implement the message of the meeting. Note taking can besides promote the talker to go on supplying the cognition required. Section 4 – Understand how to work with and back up co-workers 1. Explain the intent of holding criterions for your ain work. Give at least two grounds.Administrations draft a criterion of work policy in order to inform everyone within a company what is expected from them every bit good as from the people around them. Having these criterions set in topographic point aid for a smoother workplace. Employees need to guarantee they know what is required of them in order to work at a more efficient degree. Many administrations include a unvarying Dress codification ; some will include a set uniform provided to them by the administration usually including a company logo. Some will merely include smart office wear such as Trousers. Shirt A ; Tie. Others may include uniforms set by jurisprudence for illustration. difficult chapeaus on building sites and hair cyberspaces within nutrient and hygiene environments will be specified within the criterions of work policy. Behavioral criterions will be included and will differ for every company in order to specialize to the single service or merchandise being sold. Behavioral criterions stipulate the acceptable work behavior of what is accepted and what won’t be tolerated. Many Retail companies will stipulate that staff members that wish to smoke make so off from the entrywaies and issues of the shop. guaranting this does non impact the customers’ needs. Both Employees and Employers need to hold to criterions of work in order for them to work expeditiously aboard each other. Without the criterions of work employers can’t efficaciously monitor an employee’s work public presentation. And with the absence of criterions of work employees can be lead by personal reading taking to conflict with others sing what is and what isn’t expected. making a hostile working environment. 2. Explain the intent of taking on new challenges and being able to accommodate to alter at work. More valuable to workLearn new accomplishmentsHow administrations and co-workers will experience towardsyuo if immune Nothing in this universe stays the same forever. therefore we all evolve over clip this includes concern excessively. There are many factors that encourage alteration within concern ; two factors that work side by side are clients and engineering. 3. Explain the intent of handling others with honestness and consideration. Honesty encourages trust which in bend encourages higher degree of productiveness Consideration shows tha you respect others beliefsor positions and can stioll work along side one another. If honest and respectful how will it do workBuild better dealingssHow others would handle you if you were non Section 5 – Know how to be after ain work and be accountable to others 1. Explain the intent of run intoing work criterions and deadlines when finishing undertakings in a concern environment. Why is it of import to run into work criterions set of youConsequences of non run intoing them 2. Describe two different methods that you can utilize to be after your ain work in a concern environment. 3. Describe ways of maintaining other people informed about advancement and compare their effectivity. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each attack? Keeping people informed sing your advancement within the work topographic point is critical. Informing the relevant people makes a important impact on the effectivity of the work done. There are many ways of maintaining people informed about the advancement of your work. One of these methods could include calling people. The telephone within concern is a critical communicating excessively non merely with other co-workers but within gross revenues it is an priceless tool. Telephones within the work environment are depended upon to direct and have messages instantly. This can be done non merely office to office. but from state to state. therefore leting critical information to be available to people instantly. Therefore advancement can be reported on an hourly footing if required. Although the telephone is a speedy and easy method to pass on with others. many people believe this can besides do the effectivity of the telephone to be reduced. Having the telephone available to utilize instantly. it can take to being usage to extra and hence perchance impeding others work. if over used. Unlike other signifiers of communicate. with a telephone there is nil written down. so some information is left to personal reading and memory is relied upon extremely. Therefore some people like to trust upon the written word to be able to mention back to if needed. particularly when seeking to maintain several people informed sing different sectors of work. Electronic mails are besides used within the work topographic point to inform people of advancement of work. Electronic mails allow people to direct more elaborate information to a group of people at the same. U like a telephone conversation it is ever available for mention unless deleted. This therefore allows all people requ ired to be given the same advancement studies at the same clip. Electronic mails allow people to direct fond regards. hence leting others to see the work in advancement for themselves instead than taking the word of others. Although electronic mails are another speedy and convenient usage of communicating. it besides comes with some drawbacks. Electronic mails are impersonal and can be easy misinterpreted. intending sometimes they may hold to be more elaborate to do certain people gage the right apprehension. Although electronic mails are sent instantly to the receiving system. it is non needfully read instantly therefore the message is merely read when the receiving system makes the clip to read them. This can be destructive if the message is needed to be dealt with every bit shortly as possible. However. the usage of smart phones has reduced this ; it is still merely effectual if the receiving system reads them. People within concern know is it imperative they keep the needed people informed of their work. taking the method of communicating wou ld depend on the information needed to be received. Major jobs would necessitate a beginning of communicating that immediate and direct ; where as a advancement study with jobs could be communicated via another method. Section 6 – Understand the intent of bettering ain public presentation in a concern environment and how to make so 1. Explain the intent of continuously bettering your public presentation in a concern environment. Everybody should desire to be the best. at what they do for many grounds ; the lone manner you can accomplish this is by continuously bettering the work you do. If an employee doesn’t want to better they have no opportunity of making a higher degree within the work topographic point. hence cut downing their opportunity O succed within their occupation. They are restricting themselves of cognition. power and accomplishments that can be gained from bettering their public presentation. There are many grounds why employees should wish to go on in bettering themselves at work. Many concerns have bonus or committee scheme’s. promoting the employee to endeavor to make their best. Fiscal addition can actuate while honoring the employee to accomplish a higher work public presentation. Having these systems in topographic point can increase the employees apprehension of the company’s net incomes and loss and do them more accountable for the work they do. Some concerns use w agess alternatively of fillips. nevertheless they still work in the same manner. They may non offer hard currency but may offer more holiday yearss. offering inducements to better at work. Therefore it is in the benefit of the employee to seek their hardest for their ain addition every bit good as the companies gain. Some Companies review their staff and aid betterment through the usage of personal reappraisals or assessments. These are used as single ends to promote betterment. Failing to accomplish these ends can intend more regular assessments to foreground where the employee is traveling incorrect. This is hence likely to impact the employee. administrations and co-workers in a negative manner. Therefore seeking to better your public presentation at work will take to a higher criterion of occupation satisfaction. This will happen by the administration knowing you are bettering through assessments. co-workers cognizing everybody is drawing their just weight. Another intent of go oning to better public presentation at work once more Idaho for personal addition. Administrations wont promote employees they believe don’t strive to be the best. Bing lazy gets you nowhere. Therefore if an employee’s employer knows they are endeavoring for better public presentation at work they are more likely to be consider for publicity. This can besides use to come oning perchance to another concern. If an employee was to continuously better their public presentation in the work topographic point they would be given a good mention for another occupation. hence deriving what they want. With promotion/ new occupations they brings higher rate of wage. more duty and a better occupation. This will more likely addition the employee’s occupation satisfaction. As a consequence the chief intent in go oning to better their public presentation at work would be for personal addition. The options available to a difficult worker are far more than that of a lazy person. A difficult worker can derive financially and happiness within work. 2. Describe at least two ways of bettering your public presentation at work. Where relevant. exemplify your reply with specific illustrations from your ain experience. No 1 is Perfect. Consequently this means everyone can and should better where possible. First the person would necessitate to acknowledge that the country of work could be improved. There are many ways people can better their work. these could include. larning from errors. Performance Reviews. and Observations. Everybody makes errors nevertheless the best of people take that error and travel Forth and learn from it. Some errors can be fiddling and minor and some can be because major jobs. in order to larn from errors. an person will necessitate to place the job. admit the job. apologise and inform the relevant people sing what mistakes has happened. By making this. the person will observe non to make it once more and can besides place where they went incorrect and how to avoid it. if the same state of affairs were to happen. This will do the person more argus-eyed within their work and hence increase the public presentation. My occupation involves taking peoples stakes. interpreting them and paying them out. Unfortunately I one time didn’t look into a stake decently and unfortunately over paid a client. This was highlighted to me by direction and I was given a warning. I admitted that I had done incorrect explicating the fortunes of the state of affairs. and have since neer made the same error. therefore bettering the efficiency of my work. Performance reappraisal is besides a manner of promoting an person to better their public presentation at work. A public presentation reappraisal can happen on a regular footing and is a meeting between and employee and Manager where they discuss and evaluate the public presentation of the employee. Within the meeting old appraisals/reviews will be shown in order to see if the employee has made any betterment. The new reappraisal will include what developing the single demands in order to increase public presentation. high spot in what country they need to better and it will besides include the strengths of the employees work public presentatio n. Performance reappraisals are advantageous to the employee because they highlight to the employer what preparation they need to better but the employee can see where they need to better and can put ends for themselves and with the company. Because within many reappraisals and assessments companies include the strengths of the employee. they don’t feel like they are being attacked and this helps do the employee experience more apprehended which is likely to increase the enthusiasm in desiring to accomplish the ends. 3. Briefly describe at least two different types of calling tracts that may be available to you. I am presently a Shop Manager of bookmakers. I have worked there for the past four old ages and have bit by bit climbed the ladder from cashier to director. By wholly this Business and Administration Course I have a assortment of different calling waies. A calling way is influenced by many inquiries some could be. what occupation I want to make? What industry? And for how long do I anticipate to be making it for? I can remain within the same company I am presently working for and increase the degree of duty or even see traveling into the caput office or an Administration occupation if and when 1 was available. Another Career Path I have considered would be to transport on with instruction. and derive a higher degree of Business Administration. Possibly see making a Degree in Business Management which would besides spread out the available calling waies at the terminal of the grade. I have besides considered looking for Administrative occupations within a different industry other than chancing. Section 7 – Understand the types of jobs that may happen in a concern environment and how to cover with them 1. Identify at least two different types of jobs that can happen in a concern environment. Businesss occur many of jobs on a twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours footing. These jobs are out in to two different classs. Major and Minor. in order to prioritize the demand to repair them. Minor jobs. are little and obvious. They tend to be easy identifies and easy to repair. These tend to be able to be dealt with by employees. Major jobs will hold terrible effects. need careful consideration. necessitate adept sentiments and will be dealt with higher direction. Employees need to be able to place a minor job from a major and besides cognize how to cover the jobs they face. 2. Complete the tabular array below by depicting at least two specific jobs that can happen at work and how they can be dealt with. Problem| Covering with the problem|1. Staff Member Telephoning in Sick| Ensure the staff member has completed the right process when calling in ill. Reach other members of staff in order to happen screen of the shift/s. Inform Higher Management A ; Payroll of the alteration of staffing. Log illness in order to notice forms. | 2. Computer Failure| Identify the Problem that has occurred with the computerIf job identifiable and fixable. attempt and decide the issue at that place and so. If job unidentifiable. refer the job to other by pealing the appropriate extension e. g. IT department/ MaintenanceProvide as much information as possible sing the issue. foregrounding the importance of the equipment needed. | 3. Complete the tabular array below by naming at least two jobs you are able to cover with yourself and two jobs you would necessitate to mention to others to cover with ( and how you would mention these jobs ) . Problems I can cover with: | Problems I would necessitate to mention to others: | How are jobs referred to others? | 1. Asking people for ID. Guaranting I am following with statute law. I would inquire the client if they had any designation fro age. if they did I would observe down their Name. DOB and signifier of ID shown. This will subsequently be logged within our societal conformity booklet. If they had no ID they would be asked to go forth and this would besides be noted down within the societal conformity. | 1. Crime occurringWithin my occupation I have the duty to be cognizant that people may utilize our constitutions to fund or help condemnable activity. In this case I would mention the issue. supplying them all the information I know about the state of affairs. | In This state of affairs I would do a note of the suggested offense or assistance to offense. I would compose a elaborate description within the societal conformity booklet which is used to supply grounds that we co mply with the Gambling act 2005. I would besides reach the societal conformity director who is responsible for every shops conformity issues. And if necessary would pealing the constabulary. | 2. Staffing issues These jobs could affect people being absent from work. staff fortunes may alter. struggle between members of staff. All of the above issues can be dealt with by the shop director. This could be done instantly or with staff meetings depending on the issue. | 2. Large BetsWithin wagering stores we have bounds on the sum of money we can take on one stake. This is determined by caput office. due to profits/loss. If a client wants to put a big sum of money on a stake or a little sum that would return a batch we need to mention the issue to the referral and credence section. | To Cover with the issue. I would pealing the section explicate the ground why I am pealing. Using their more in-depth cognition of the betting markets and other stakes place they will so state me whether I can accept the stake or if I can’t. Sometimes they will accept the stake but for a smaller sum. I would so go through the information onto the client. and guarantee the determination made by the referral sec tion.

Intercultural Conflict Resolution in Schools Assignment

Intercultural Conflict Resolution in Schools - Assignment Example Note that for research purposes, the real names of respondents were replaced. Justine: These programs help to establish peace, remove vehemence and create healthy relationships among students. In schools where cultural conflict is low, programs such as the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP) have been implemented to help bring an understanding between students of different cultures. Justine: The schools address cultural conflicts by making sure these programs are run and encouraging teachers and parents to respect the diverse cultures within each school system. This starts by learning of the practices in other people’s cultures in order to ensure awareness. For instance, one’s culture may permit interaction of both sexes both in classroom sitting arrangements and the playgrounds while another culture is against this. The awareness by the students will ensure that the activities conducted by the students do not bring conflicts among them. The school should implement policies that respect each culture. They should educate on the harms of intercultural conflicts and penalize those who are intolerant to coexistence. Justine: The beliefs of some cultures lead to intercultural conflicts. This is for instance, in cases where big Korean girls share the same school with smaller Korean girls. According to their beliefs, the bigger girls are allowed to assault the smaller ones in case they believe they do not receive enough respect from them. This leads to conflicts. Justine: Students experience different conflicts in relation to cultural difference. These include socio-economic status conflicts, for instance as seen between Iranians and Soviet Armenians who share same cultural views but the conflict in socio-economic status from back in their communities. Conflicts are also evident in the formation of cliques, the rise of fights, formation of gangs, and even in assigning homework.

EVA Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

EVA Analysis - Research Paper Example However, as IBM has faced competition in the computer hardware subsectror of the IT sector, it has diversified into other areas and become a big product in these areas. IBM has become more active today in the software sector as well as the cloud computing sector. In fact the area where the firm is most successful is the software sub-sector. IBM now has four main divisions which include Financing, Hardware, Services, and Software (Lines & Ambler, 2012). Each of the four departments in IBM has different profitability and this means that if the investors were to value each individually rather than valuing the firm one whole, they would have different a value in total. Economic Value Added (EVA) is the method of determining the value of a firm through calculating its value produced after return of capital invested and the cost of operation (Grant, 2003). Because of this when investors value each individual division as opposed to averaging the profits of each division and calculating the value firm of collectively, they would at a different value of the firm. In this regard, if investors were to demarcate IBM and each division valued individually, each of the division would have a different value and if these values were to be added together, they would have a higher value than the value calculated in a combination. Rationale Every firm intends to get the best and highest valuation, just like they want to make the highest profits. This is why it is necessary for a firm to find the best way to improve its value. The value of an organization can also be theoretical. One theoretical method of a valuing a firm is the EVA method and has been used in several firms. Warren Buffet showed that investors value a firm differently if the firm has different divisions with different values. By separating the less valuable parts of the business from the more valuable parts of the firm, it is possible to help the investors in a different light (Grant, 2003). Eliminating the negativ e aspect of the firm By separating the firm into different units, the investors are able to see the firm in a better light because the negative aspects of the firm can be separated from the firm. Warren Buffet used this in Coca Cola and separated the less profitable division from the rest of the firm. This led to the investors to be willing to value the firm higher. As a result, separating the firm into units and carrying out an EVA evaluation is not just an accounting process but also a psychological process, which help in lifting away the negative aspects of the firm. In this regard, it is necessary for a firm like IBM to separate the less effective aspects of the firm to let the investors to see the better aspect of the firm. This approach is more useful to IBM than almost any other firm because of the history of the firm. As already discussed, IBM was the leader in hardware manufacturing, both for retail and corporate customers. However, as new players came into the market, it b ecame harder for the firm to deal with the competition, it has to diversify. In the modern day, IBM is no longer the giant it was in the hardware sector, but competitors such as HP and Dell have shrouded the firm. However, IBM is doing so well in its software division and it has become a leader in this new niche. However, it is very hard for investors to see this new opportunity unless and until IBM separates itself from the older IBM and to the new IBM. Until the

Weekly reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Weekly reflection - Essay Example Therefore, the goals of anyone who is studying business will be to be able to make viable decisions either as an employee, employer, or a manager in a business organization. Studying business enables someone to be of contribution to the economic growth and development of a country. My expectations at the beginning of this unit were that I would be able to understand the most important aspects of business operation and management. However, after going through this subject I am surprised that I was able to know more than I ever expected. Initially I used to imagine that business was all about the process of selling and buying. I never paid much attention to the external factors that might be of effect to the buying and selling processes. I was surprised to come to the realization that there are some underlying factors that influence day-to-day business activities. During the lectures I was able to develop some level of appreciation towards my lecturer and classmates. The lecturer would come and make sure that he explained every detail of the week’s coverage frequently giving us a chance to seek clarification. I would have trouble understanding some of the terms at the beginning, but was able to get conversant with them as time went by. The modules were of high help because they helped me in understanding some of the concepts that I might have not been able to understand in class. The modules sourced from MyBecket also proved to be high importance in understanding the subject. Business can be described as a way of dealing with scarcity. Given the fact that scarcity is a common problem, societies have to find ways through which they can deal with the problem. Business as a process involves inputs being transformed into outputs that are capable of satisfying the wants and needs of consumers. Inputs include things such as land, labour, materials, technology, finance, managerial skills, and many

You Decide Week 7 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

You Decide Week 7 - Essay Example aled that one of the company’s sales persons, Pat Lawson, was currently exhibiting problems coping with new procedures and technology to service customers better and increase sales. She had been with the company for 15 years and was revealed to have serviced the company’s largest customers effectively. With Pat’s struggles, she was reflecting on quitting her job. In this regard, in the capacity of Bob Yeader, the Sales Manager, the following analysis of the situation, the problem and the options are hereby evaluated: The apparent root problem for Pat’s supposed difficulties in coping with the current situation is the installation of new procedures and technology designed to improve customer service and increase productivity and sales. As validated by Jack Mason, Bob Yeader’s consultant, the lack of appropriate training to orient their people on the use of new technology and procedures was the main culprit for Pat’s dilemma: her inability to cope with requirements posed by the new technological procedures without being properly trained. 1. Status Quo: Do Nothing. Wait for the natural courses of action to happen. In this alternative, the most probable scenario is that Pat Lawson would eventually tender her resignation. The advantage of this option is that there would be no changes in the work place and, as suggested by George Fish, new graduates could replace Pat’s position immediately. However, the disadvantage of this alternative is that both Chris Nihil, the HR Manager, and Jack Mason acknowledge the exemplary performance of Pat Lawson, who has been with the company for 15 years. The competency in handling large and complicated accounts has already been recognized to be attributable to Pat’s experience in the field of sales and customer service. By doing nothing, the company would be losing Pat and it might cost them more to train new hires to do Pat’s responsibilities. 2. Provide Training for the New Technology and Procedures. The standard

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Small Business & Entrepreneurship - Coursework Example Medical Services Tourism is not without many business risks, including high levels of competition from intermediary companies designed to help consumers plan itineraries for medical services. There are also risks to the client that must be considered, including ensuring that they fully understand their own health risks so as to secure liability factors for the business itself. In terms of strategic objectives, a comprehensive risk management system must be developed. However, outside of these risks, profit potential is quite considerable due to the large customer demand that exists in many different foreign countries. Singapore was chosen as the country to launch the new Medical Services Tourism company because of its award-winning infrastructure, the ability to raise new capital through a variety of means and even for the education system that can provide quality employment for the business by skilled professionals. Singapore is ideal for Medical Services Tourism and this business plan provides a comprehensive plan for the launch of the company. Medical Services Tourism is a start up company with an onsite facility for receipt of travellers and to satisfy their inquiries on medical tourism. The company will gain profit from several different business activities related to the tourism industry in Singapore. Medical Services Tourism will act as an agent that facilitates tourism of international citizens looking for quality and affordable health care that they might not be able to achieve in their home country. The agency will have tie-ups with hospitals in not only Singapore, but other foreign countries. The agency will coordinate patient transfers that it receives from overseas hospitals and acts as a referring agent to cost-effective local hospitals in Singapore based on their own unique needs. The agency will make profit by charging commission on these

Learning Applications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Learning Applications - Essay Example Numerous studies have shown that superior service will always beat the cost of fees or price. Human resource strategy- focuses on the training of the workers who directly interact with customers, specifically the tellers and shift supervisors. The main intent of this topic is to train an individual on personal management thereby applying the same to the employees. Effective human resources management often creates good work environment and satisfied employees thereby making them productive and enthusiastic (Evans and Lindsay, 2008). Finally, underpinning the basis of Strategic Human Resource Management (‘SHRM’ from hereon after) is a fascinating topic. The elements of this topic are vital to competitive advantage and vertical alignment trainings (Evans and Lindsay, 2008). It involves the alignment of human resource strategy with business strategy and horizontal alignment needs to be adapted. This will help in encompasses the individual HR strategies and practices being mutually supported. The courses primarily aimed at training individuals on efficient and effective management skills that are applicable to both the labour and the customers (Stewart and Brown, 2012). Unfair treatment of Employees usually leads to poor delivery thereby leading to poor service that affects customers’ relationship with business. However, industries without partnership often disregard employees especially the banking industry (Evans and Lindsay, 2008). This would allow companies to be  competitive since there would be lower input costs (labour equals input). In addition, management would be quick to adopt technology towards cost cutting thereby increasing productivity. According to the course, it is apparent that the free labour resources are significant resources in all sectors of the economy (Stewart and Brown, 2012). This always happens to some extent; however, they tend to be

Three questions to be answered with main opinion, source for each Assignment

Three questions to be answered with main opinion, source for each answer and give an assertion - Assignment Example Writings should also take into account not only the level its audience proficiency but also their cultural background . 3. This is a wrong mindset. A business staff should never be busy to attend to a customer and must always apologize to any inconvenience caused. Complaints and suggestions must be welcome by the company to help them identify their areas of improvement. Customer service must always be in mind of any business organization otherwise it will lose its customers and go out of business. Above all, apologizing and making customers feel important ensures that the business can still keep the customer despite the inconvenience caused. Business organizations must always bear in mind that they exist because of the customers and therefore, they should be mindful of the fact that â€Å"customer is always king† (Moreno) in their organization and therefore, they should not be busy to attend to the

Video games are good Essay Example for Free

Video games are good Essay In this 21st generation, video games are one of the most entertaining and one of the most popular ways to enjoy time. Video games are electronic human interactive games, which can be played in different types of consoles in a variety of ways. Have you ever thought about video games being beneficial? Or not just something which helps pass time or something that is a bad addiction? Video games are so popular in today’s world that, the video game business earns billions of dollars on releasing a game or a type of console. In 2010 the play station brand hit 155 million units sales of their ever so famous console, â€Å"the play station 2,† which is also known as the â€Å"PS2. † Video games are not just an entertainment but, it has turned into something much bigger, it has turned into a business and also a living for some people. Many people state that video games are bad for us, like there is a topic posted in debate. org, where people who think video games are not of any good, and surprisingly to my benefits of my opinion 67% of the people who rated the discussion disliked it! Many people also have related violent behavior to violent games, like the tragic massacre that took place on the December 12th 2012, when 20 year old Adam Lanza fatally shot 20 children and 6 adult staffs, in Sandy Hook Elementary School. Many have said that, Violent video games was one of the main motivations for Adam’s violent act, A TV and a radio host, named Glen beck stated that the, â€Å"Sandy Hook Massacre,† was caused by video games. He also states that, â€Å"video games are a gateway drug for our kids and instead of a high, they get numbness, they get an indifferent heart and a mind that cannot tell the difference between fiction and reality. † I strongly disagree with his point; there was violence before video games. I believe the Sandy Hook murderer was a mentally ill and an unstable teenager. If video games was the case, there are a lot of children play violent video games, like the first person shooting game â€Å"Call of Duty Black Ops II,† is a violent war game and the game is really realistic and it is brutal. The game went to gross $ 1 Billion in the first 15 days of availability. With so many people playing violent games there should have more than at least 50 massacres yearly according to my calculation. I mean if a normal human being plays a violent video game for maybe even more than 12 hours a week, it wont motivate or trigger us to go kill someone, you have to have some kind of a mental illness or a violent angst, to go fling around guns in public. Video games are not harmful for someone, and many parents and critics are very judgmental about it, as many kids are not properly guided and supervised while playing video games. Video games, are surely fun but an individual should be self discipline and even the parents should be able to handle and guide their children on how much they play their video games. An article by Health Central also suggests that video games are bad. It tells the readers that it makes people un-social, obese, and also it causes them to have bad grades, aren’t these reasons all about self-disciplinary? Are video games the main cause of this? Video Games are even in fact educational, like the game Civil-war, teaches us and gives us like a first hand experience about the American civil war fought in 1861. It also gives out facts and important dates about the civil war in the loading screen. Maybe even someone who has a hard time making friends, get along with others, while playing video games or them having the same interest in video games. â€Å"A growing body of university research suggests that gaming improves creativity, perception and also decision making† (Hotz par. 1). Experts of health central said that, video games causes people to be obese, anti-social and perform bad in schools, but I believe it is the fault of those gamers who get to addictive to video game and their lack of self-discipline. Video games cannot be blamed for those reasons. If we put it like that anything we do excessively is harm to us. Playing video games is not a bad thing at all; it instead helps us pass time more entertainingly and has benefits to it as well. A research showed that people who played video games made better decisions 25% faster than those who did not play video games. A research by University of York aimed to discover if video games improver hand-eye coordination. † In order to discover this, they compared the brain activity of participants who played video games for at least 4 hours a week with the results from participants who did not play video games. The study showed that the participants who did not play video games relied mostly on a part of the brain that controls hand eye coordination. In order to complete the games, the men who were not accustomed to playing video games had to focus a large amount of mental energy on coordinating what they were seeing on the screen with the physical actions they were making on the controller. Besides hand eye co-ordination, active games like the, â€Å"Nintendo Wii has promoted where you have to do things physically which has proved to improve your physicality and give you enough exercise† (Wittman par. 5). As I mentioned before video games can be a way of living for someone nowadays, an article by Kyle Russell states that, â€Å"over 60 gamers earn more than 100,000 US dollar without counting the sponsorship deals and streaming their practice games. † Even I have experinced how drastically video games improve you reactions and hand eye cordination. When I was in middle school, we had to play indoor games during the winter as it used to be really cold outside to play soccer, which was really sad for me as I love soccer and I kind of didn’t like to play indoor game. We were made to play table-tennis, and I used to hate it as I was really not that good. Around that time was when I started playing video games and as soon as that, after two months or so, I really felt myself improving in table-tennis drastically and without practice. My reactions were really fast, I later then realized how video games had a big role in that. Video games have many benefirts, In an article by Drew Guarini posted in the Huff post says â€Å"a study by a group of Italian researchers proved that video games helps dyslexic children read better. Many may still argue that, even after all these benefits video games are not worth its cost, but if we look at the long run it might save us a lot of money, a anti video game mom, Jo Ashiline also re-considered getting a video game, she said, â€Å"This dilemma led me this Christmas to consider getting a video game system, at least a Wii that we could all play together. The kids pointed out that I spent $82 the last time we all went bowling, and with the Wii, we could bowl at home for free (Ashline, par. 7). Ultimately, it is apparent that video games are a lot more beneficial than many people think, video games have had its prejudices created by all the critics those have very invalid reasoning like how some said, Video games are the reason for mass massacre, or even maybe how video games causes bad-grades and obesity. Those reasons are not because of the video game, but because of lack of supervision and self-disciplinary. I think that Video games are a wonderful way to spend time while having many benefits to everyone. For the old folks who may think that video games are only for the younger one, you may want to re-consider. A study this year conducted by University of Iowa found out that, Playing brain-teasing game for just two hours a week may help slow the degree of mental decay associated with the natural aging process. (Guarini D, par. 10). Work Cited FYI: Video Game Statistics by the Entertainment Software Association. Critical Gaming Project. Word Press, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. Are Video Games Bad for Children? The Premier Online Debate Website. N. p. , n. d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. Sandy hook shoting article Sandy Hook Shooter Motivated by Violent Video Games, Norway Massacre (Report). The Hollywood Reporter. N. p. , 18 Feb. 2013. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Feraligatr, Caz. Glenn Beck: Video Games Are A Drug That Killed 28 People! Blog by CazFeraligatr IGN. IGN. N. p. , 22 Feb. 2013. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Main Menu. Dependable Video Games. N. p. , 19 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. Video Gaming Increases Physical Activity. The Journal of Extension (JOE). Journal of Extension, n. d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Russel, Kyle. The Highest-Paid Professional Video Gamers In The World. Web log post. Business Insider. N. p. , n. d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Guarini, Drew. 9 Ways Video Games Can Actually Be Good For You. The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost. com, 07 Nov. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. Work Cited Ashline, Jo. Video Games Were Invented by the Devil OC Moms: The Mom Blog : The Orange County Register. OC Moms: The Mom Blog. N. p. , 27 Dec. 2009. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.

Patriot Act Essay Example for Free

Patriot Act Essay In her article, Cathy Zeljak maintains that the Patriot Act has infringed on Americans’ civil liberties, particularly the Fourth Amendment’s protections against illegal searches and surveillance. Using the recent history of legal decisions on law enforcement agencies’ information-gathering practices, the author argues that the Patriot Act strips citizens of the legal protections they received in the late 1970s. Throughout the piece, she asks, â€Å"Are we sacrificing essential liberties in the fight against terrorism? (Zeljak, 2004, p. 69), and her answer (the overriding thesis of this article) is â€Å"yes. † Zeljak argues that the Patriot Act undermines both the Fourth Amendment and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance (FISA) Act, which was passed in 1978 to impose guidelines on government surveillance of private citizens. Before then, government surveillance of citizens lacked clear guidelines, and government agencies behaved arbitrarily as a result. Supposed â€Å"threats,† like antiwar activists and civil-rights leaders like Martin Luther King, were frequently monitored and harassed. The FISA Act aimed to curb these abuses and placed more legal guidelines on federal surveillance, requiring that foreign intelligence had to be a primary cause for issuing a warrant to conduct surveillance on an individual. However, the Patriot Act has removed many of the FISA Act’s protections, now allowing warrants to be issued with foreign intelligence purposes as only a tangential reason, not a primary cause. In addition, law enforcement officials may now seize a wider array of records, using the broad definition â€Å"any tangible thing† (Zeljak, 2004, p. 70) instead of the narrow lists specified by the FISA Act. The Patriot Act also allows government agencies to spy on innocent third parties as a means of obtaining information about primary suspects, further weakening the Fourth Amendment’s protections, and it allows agencies to share information more freely, without letting accused individuals known what evidence exists against them. In March 2002, FISC rejected John Ashcroft’s proposals to allow law enforcement officials broader access to (and use of) information gathered under the Patriot Act. In effect, says Zeljak, this â€Å"transferred fundamental rights away from individual citizens, greatly increasing the authority of intelligence and investigative agencies† (Zeljak, 2004, p. 70). FISA warrants can thus be used for criminal investigations without clear probable cause. Zeljak also claims that, despite two court defeats on this issue, the Bush administration hopes to further expand its surveillance and prosecutory powers with Patriot Act II, which would automatically grant federal agents who conduct illegal searches complete immunity and allow the government to deport American citizens found guilty of helping terrorist organizations. Basically, she maintains, such an expansion of the Patriot Act would allow the government near-total freedom to conduct investigations with few legal guidelines, and would considerably curtail citizens’ protections and civil liberties. Zeljak concludes the article by stating that â€Å"Americans must wonder whether we are sacrificing essential liberties in the fight against terrorism,† and ends with a provocative question: â€Å". . . have the terrorists already won the opening round? † (Zeljak, 2004, p. 0) Zeljak takes a clear stance against the Patriot Act, considering it a flagrant violation of American citizens’ constitutionally-guaranteed rights against illegal surveillance. She asserts that the FISA Act has essentially been gutted and that plans to widen the Patriot Act would further deprive citizens of legal protection, making their rights meaningless in the name of intelligence gathering. Her concluding question implies that, with the Patriot Act, democracy has been undermined.

Freedom of Speech and Media

Freedom of Speech and Media The freedom of speech is defined as the right of a person to express thoughts, ideas, and personal opinions through a desired media without any restrictions unless restriction is necessary such as where exercising the right infringes upon the rights of others or where national security is at threat. Advocacy for freedom of speech has taken centuries of soldiering on in the background of repression by authoritarian regimes, culminating in the UN General Assembly adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. Hesiod writes a theological work challenging some religious matters in 700 BC. Cleisthenes introduces the Isegoria in the Greek political chambers in 508 BC. Socrates is tried and sentenced to death by an Athenian jury in 399 BC. John Milton writes the Areopagitica in 1644, which strongly talked against restrictions of freedom of the press in England. The UN General Assembly adopts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. Freedom of Speech and the Mass Media are inseparable. International human rights documents outline Freedom of Speech as including: the freedom of thought, and freedom to seek, acquire, and give ideas and information through any chosen media. The mass media, having the role of covering events, gathering and spreading information, and controlling state authority activities needs to exercise responsibility in carrying out its duties. Media bias is a problem affecting freedom to information which is a component part of freedom of speech. The western mainstream media has been accused of giving biased reports on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Censorship of Media is necessary. The ICCPR identifies two key areas where restrictions must be enforced on the freedom of speech as: respect to the rights of others and protection of national security or public order or morals. The Rwanda genocide of 1994 is an example of unrestricted media. Freedom of speech in Kenya has gradually evolved through spirited advocacy from extreme repression in the first about three decades since its independence to acceptable standards as contained in international human rights documents. Foreign and local press particularly in the Moi regime, periodically went through censorship in the form of expulsion from the country, detention of journalists and confiscation of publication. Parliamentary debates were restricted with certain topics such as voting procedures almost being banned by the executive after the coup attempt of August 1982. Ford-Kenya Chairman Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1992, challenged in the High Court, the unfair advantage that the incumbent was receiving over the other parties in the state owned Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). The media act was enacted in 2007, which placed more restrictions on the media. The Waki report which highlights key issues to be implemented in order to avoid a repetition of the post election violence, gives no special address to the media. Advocacy for freedom of speech has been a long historical struggle in the world involving torture and bloodshed and should be upheld and defended at all costs. Mass Media and the Freedom of Speech Freedom of speech is one of the basic human rights commonly contained in international human rights documents. Also referred to as freedom of expression, it is an important element of a democratic society. Precisely, the other side to freedom of expression is freedom to information, which makes it possible for people to make informed decisions about their lives. The Freedom of Speech as a human right carries with it responsibility and is therefore exercised within certain restrictions enforceable through Mass Media. The freedom of speech can be defined as the right of a person to express thoughts, ideas, and personal opinions through a desired media without any restrictions unless restriction is necessary such as where exercising the right infringes upon the rights of others or where national security is at threat. Throughout history, man has sought to exercise freedom of speech within his social habitation. The earliest concept dates back to around 700 BC in Ancient Greece, where matters of speech freedom then, were close to the heart than any other place on earth. Hesiod, a non-cleric, wrote a theological work challenging some religious matters. This was in defiance of the norm because such matters were only addressed by those in high status (Allsop, Quadrant Online: The Difficult History of Free Speech). A historical landmark in the fight for freedom of speech is the 508 BC introduction of the Isegoria, meaning Free Speech, by Cleisthenes in the Greek political chambers. (Allsop, Quadrant Online: The Difficult History of Free Speech) This probably laid the foundation for Freedom of Speech in Athens and also the whole world because it was the first time laws on free speech were formally recognized by a democracy. Socrates trial and death in 399 BC effectively marked the death of the isegoria because for the next about 2000 years freedom of speech declined. Socrates may as well be regarded as the martyr and father of freedom of speech because he defiantly stood for what he believed even with the option of freedom if he changed his stand (Owens). For years after his death, his teachings and ideals remained in the hearts of proponents of free speech after him. The rebirth of free speech 1500 after Socrates in England had so much to reflect on Socrates ideology. John Miltons famous pamph let written in 1644, Areopagitica, which talked extensively against restrictions of freedom of the press had Greek influence, even its naming was after a hill in Athens the site of courts in ancient Greece. (Allsop, Quadrant Online: The Difficult History of Free Speech). The fight for speech freedom culminated in the UN general assembly adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. Article 19 of the UDHR is clear that freedom of speech and opinion is a human right, which includes freedom of thought, freedom to seek, acquire and give ideas and information through any chosen media. (Youthmedia:What is the Role of Speech in a Democratic Society) Other international documents such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) also express similar precepts. To be able to transmit and receive information, people need to access mass media. In any given state, the role of mass media is so important that it is many times considered as the fourth arm of government. The mass media covers events, gathers and spreads information and controls activities of state authorities (Youthmedia:What is the Role of Speech in a Democratic Society). Being an independent sector, the mass media has the power to influence society either favorably or destructively. It therefore has to be responsible and accurate in its dissemination of information. The media is sometimes not accurate. The western mainstream media, for example, has been accused of giving biased reports on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, where the reporters use language that influences the readers to favor Israeli attacks and de-taste Palestinian aggression (Walsh). The fact that a reporter is likely to take sides when covering particularly emotive matter begs the question whether we can get purely un-biased reporting from them. Such kind of bias is difficult to control and people may just have to live with it. Open and obvious bias, on the other hand, may develop its own control by the mare fact that the reader has recognized it, thereby avoiding being influenced by it. Censorship of Media is necessary. The society needs to be protected from information which is morally wrong, an infringement on the rights of others, or a threat to national security. The ICCPR identifies two key areas where restrictions must be enforced on the freedom of speech. These are respect to the rights of others, and protection of national security or public order or morals (Youthmedia:What is the Role of Speech in a Democratic Society). The Rwanda genocide of 1994 is an example of unrestricted radio use. Thompson (43) puts it clearly that radio played a central role in the build-up, during and after the genocide. Kenyas media enjoys freedom under the new constitution promulgated in 2010, Chapter 4 of the constitution contains an extensive bill of rights built around the standards of the UDHR and other international documents (Lwanga). Low moments in Kenyas democratic rights were from the countrys indepence in 1963 to the mid-Moi regime about three decades ago. As Cited by Gathu(7), Widner says that foreign and local press particularly in the Moi regime, periodically went through censorship in the form of expulsion from the country, detention of journalists and confiscation of publication. Parliamentary debates were restricted as certain topics such as voting procedures were almost banned by the executive after the coup attempt of August 1982. Such repressions were carried on until the beginning of multi-party politics in December 1991 where new opposition forces were legalized and they pressed for more freedom of expression. The weekly review, for example, points out that the then Ford-Kenya Chairman Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1992, challenged in the High Court, the unfair advantage that the incumbent was receiving over the other parties in the state owned Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (qtd. In Gathu 7). The new-found speech freedom in Kenya later began exhibiting incitement problems. For instance, the run-up to the 2005 referendum on the constitution was marred with political incitement. This led to the enactment of the media act in 2007, which placed more restrictions on the media (Lwanga). Even though Certain broadcasters were accused of using the media to incite people prior to the 2008 post election violence in Kenya, the Waki report which highlights key issues to be implemented in order to avoid a repetition of the post election violence, gives no special address to the media. The Mass media in Kenya has exercised responsible reporting since 2007 especially taking into account the recently concluded peaceful general elections on March 4, 2013; which were the first to be held under the new constitution. The desire for free speech has been deeply entrenched in the heart of man as an unwritten law since time immemorial, even before formal recognition by any authority. It has soldiered through history in the background of strong and sometimes brutal repression to be one of the key elements of human rights today. As freedom of speech is enjoyed today, the contributions of its great early crusaders such as Hesiod in the 700s BC, Socrates in 430 BC, and John Milton in 1644, cannot go unnoticed. Countless other brave advocates have endured persecution for what they strongly believed in. Now recognized worldwide and entrenched in international documents such as the UDHR and ICCPR this basic human right needs to be upheld and defended at all costs.