Unemployment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Unemployment - Essay Example But these individuals are not able to find employment at the legal minimum rate of pay due to insufficient economic opportunities within their locality or their skill set. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics lists individuals as unemployed if they are without a job, have been actively seeking work with in the past four weeks – and are available for employment. In terms of defining when a person qualifies as actively looking for work there are a number of behaviors that identify those presently seeking labor: attempting to contact employment agencies, or an employee or directly for the purpose of seeking job interviews. Other methods include attending career centers at local universities, or simply querying friends and acquaintances with respect to obtaining employment. Other activities that define an active job seeker would include dispersal of physical resumes or online applications when available, or networking with local labor unions and other professional organiza tions, or actively seeking and answering advertisements relating to employment (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009) the involuntarily unemployed are those who are actively seeking opportunities. There are passive measures of searching for employment that do not qualify the individual as being a person actively seeking work. Simply reading advertisements or taking training courses are career related, but are not active. Before any given a job interview, the active job seeker must have been engaged in one active job search within the four preceding weeks while available for employment. These categories are significant with respect to the government assistance with the intent of correcting involuntary unemployment. Categories and behaviors must be identified, and quantified in order to generate effective measures for supporting or addressing those who are seeking work but unable to find it. Many government surveys are also aware of the complexities of measuring unemployment where su bsistence farming exists, and questions to determine employment status attempt to specifically identify those engaging in private, family businesses or farming related activities. The temporal designation of four weeks is necessary, because for planning and funding purposes it is more efficient for government agencies to deal with quantifiable numerical values by which they can assign categories (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009). Failure to get work can be voluntary, but the only objective indicator of economic viability in this field would be involuntary unemployment. This has implications for government and economists alike, because the rate at which involuntary unemployment occurs is indicative of larger trends or weaknesses within society. VARIATIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Yet there are still deviations from employment in the standard labor markets owned by corporatized private sector entities. In some countries, it can be difficult to measure the true rates of unemployment where l arge-scale subsistence farming occurs, for instance. Individuals outside the model of regular wage employment as common in the industrialized world also create complications for survey analysts. In addition to subsistence farming, there are others who work for occasional wages on an as needed basis temporarily, and some countries may have significant cottage industries that may or may

Social, Moral, and Political Philosophy Essay Example for Free

Social, Moral, and Political Philosophy Essay Introduction Social, moral, and political philosophies are three branches that share elements, but are different in application. This paper considers what the fields have in common, how they are different, and how they apply to modern life. When thinkers contemplate such diverse ideas such as justice, love, friendship, democracy, and divorce, they are considering concepts that fit in one or more of the three fields of philosophy discussed in this paper. Contrasts and Commonality. When philosophy addresses questions of values there are three branches that work as agents in the effort: social, moral, and political philosophy. Though there is plenty of overlap with the primary concerns of each branch, there is also sufficient difference in their aim. In some cases the three mentioned fields of philosophy share elements so much that it is easy to confuse them, and yet, in some case they are so different as to ask completely different questions about the same circumstances. Social philosophy addresses questions of society and its institutions; concerned especially with determining the features of the ideal or best society (Moore Bruder, 2004). The primary terrain of social philosophy is the exterior of human beings and how it interacts with collectives and the systems created by the collectives. How humans relate to each other, how they collect into organizations, and how those organizations can best be configured; these are the questions for social philosophy. Moral philosophy (ethics) is the philosophical study of moral judgments that identify what is of virtue, just, morally right, good, and also the opposite of each of those concepts. One of the aims of contemporary moral philosophy is to discover some method or style of argument that can help people resolve moral disagreements (Landesman, 2000). Moral philosophy searches the interior of humanity and seeks answers to questions of right and wrong. Pressing questions for moral philosophy ask individuals to affirm or deny abortion, capital punishment, polygamy, illicit drug use, and prostitution. Political philosophy concerns itself with the nature of the state and seeks to assess its justification and proper organization (Moore Bruder, 2004). Rather than seeking the answers to what is moral, right, or just, political philosophy considers which structure works best for the ordering of society, and who should rule within that structure. For example, according to Plato aristocracy is a preferred form of government that is ruled by a philosopher-king (Moore Bruder, 2004, pg. 311). Each of the mentioned branches of philosophy expresses the values that construct the conditions for human life. A healthy, viable society is erected not only by steel and mortar, but also by social mores, concepts of proper interactions, and systems for vetting policy ideas to govern behavior. Social and moral philosophy ask what is right and just with our social institutions, with the expectation that the perfect society is realistically obtainable. Moral and political philosophy work together to first set the foundation for describing the optimal good, and then creating the rationale and methodology for ordering the thoughts, ideas, and justification for state organization and action. The Differences While there is overlap between social, moral, and political philosophy, there are also points where they depart from each other to separate ideological territory. The thing that differentiates each of the mentioned areas of philosophy can be determined by the angle taken on a question. As an example, consider an unmarried couple that has premarital intimate relations that results in a pregnancy. Social philosophy would ask what the couple should do that would result in the best social relations, with the best net effect for society overall. Moral philosophy would search their options and ask if abortion, out-of-wedlock birth, and premarital sex are right or wrong. Political philosophy would ask what laws should be created to enforce the best interests of the state. Applications for Modern Life In modern life there are plenty of opportunities to apply social, moral, and political philosophy. Consider the vexing and ongoing war in Iraq. The war started with a new political theory that was dubbed â€Å"the Bush doctrine,† named after President George W. Bush. For the first time in American history the country was signaling to the world that preemptive aggression against countries thought to threaten American interest was acceptable. The idea of attacking other countries before they attacked first had previously been viewed as contradictory to the essential political tradition in America. Traditional American political philosophy going back to the earliest leaders was nearly isolationist and firmly against needlessly meddling in international strife. Everything changed with the Bush doctrine. Social philosophy considers life in America and Iraq as a result of the war. What type of society would be best in a post-war Iraq? How can the deeply divisive war be moderated in America between individuals who support and oppose the war? Moral philosophy wonders about the rightness of attacking people when they have not been aggressive first; about equivalency of murder and so-called â€Å"collateral damage,† a euphemism for accidental killing of non-combatants; and whether Americans soldiers who fight in Iraq are just warriors fighting for virtuous aims or improper agents of injustice. Political philosophy would strike to the heart of how the decision for the United States to engage in preemptive war should be decided. In a famous quote President Bush announced to the American public â€Å"I’m the decider. † However, the democratic republic and constitutional form of government actually rests the declaration of war in the domain of Congress. Founders of American government purposefully separated the system into three branches in an attempt to create checks and balances. With the actions of President Bush, one would need political philosophy to reason through the ambiguous local of war powers used amongst the three branches of government. If the president is able to use a personal philosophy in order to commit the American military to a long-term war, then the form of government would seem to be aristocracy. If Congress were to use their authority to prevent the doctrine of preemptive war from prevailing, then the form of government would seem to be a republic. If the president and Congress were to observe the polls that reveal a majority of Americans disapprove of the war, and act upon public opinion, the form of government would be democracy. Conclusion Though social, moral, and political philosophies share common elements, they contrast each other by the questions they consider in given circumstances. Social philosophy questions what is best between humans and their collectives. Moral philosophy seeks determinations of right and wrong, justice and injustice, virtue and dishonor. Political philosophy ponders the best way to organize the State. Each field of philosophy shares the net effect of creating structure for how humans exist, behave, and live together. However, the fields differ in that they concentrate in on instance on the experiential nature of human interaction, in another case on abstract concept of rightness, and in another case on the physical structure of the State. Landesman, C. (Winter 2000). Can Moral Philosophy Teach Us Anything?. Academic Questions, 14, 1. p. 50. Retrieved April 08, 2008, from General OneFile via Gale: http://find. galegroup. com/itx/start. do? prodId=ITOF.

The Puzzling Message of Figure in the Carpet :: Figure in the Carpet Essays

The Puzzling Message of Figure in the Carpet At the beginning of "The Figure in the Carpet", the main character considers the criticism of literature to be a career, something he does for money. "I had done a few things and earned a few pence" (p. 357), declares the narrator in the opening line. He says later in the paragraph that having an advanced copy of a prominent novel to review was desirable because it would advance his career: "Öand whatever much or little it should do for his reputation I was clear on the spot as to what it should do for mine." (p. 357) The character sees Vereker's work as a vehicle to advance his career. There seems to be little excitement as to the content of Vereker's work, the reader is never given even so much as the subject matter of a Vereker novel. Instead, all of the focus of the opening scenes is directed towards the narrator's struggle to become a renowned critic. Henry James is contrasting the practice of literary criticism with the ideal of what literary criticism should be. Even the characters that seem to be in the purest pursuit of Vereker's great secret, Corvick and Gwendolen, will not share it with their friends. When they discover it, they all want to publish it for themselves. Vereker himself seems to hold the literary critics in the book in contempt, citing their lack of vision. Vereker speaks to the narrator at several points in the novel, "You miss it, my dear fellow, with inimitable assurance; the fact that your being awfully clever and your article's being very awfully nice doesn't make a hairs breadth of difference." (p.365) The work of a literary critic in Vereker's eyes is to find the figure in the carpet. Which is to say that what a literary critic and readers of literature should do is to look for a deeper meaning or context in works of literature. Vereker is upset because the critics fail to grasp the deeper meaning in his works. James himself must have been quite upset at the critics of his day. Influential critics can make or break a writer. More than anyone else, critics can sway how people perceive the work of an author. As James illustrates in the story, critics are not to be trusted as authority.

Health and Safety Policy of Dublin Bus Essay

This safety statement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Sections 19 & 20 of the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, 2005. This Safety Statement specifies commitment, lines of responsibility and accountability for safety together with a list of Risk Assessments within the organisation. In July 2007 new and revised â€Å"General Application Regulations 2007† were published. These Regulations were signed into Law on the 1st November 2007. Prescribed under the SHWW Act 2005, these Regulations provide details of how compliance with Health & Safety legislation is to be applied in the workplace. These Regulations have been examined and appear at regular intervals throughout the Dublin Bus Safety Statement. Company Commitment The company is committed to ensuring so far as is reasonably practicable, the Safety, Health and Welfare at work of all of its employees, as required under Section 8 of the Act, with particular regard to The provision and maintenance of a safe and healthy working environment. The provision of a safe place of work and means of access to and egress from it. The provision and maintenance of plant and equipment and of systems of work that are as safe and without risk to health as is reasonably practicable to achieve. The provision of information, instruction, training and supervision will enhance the health and safety at work if its employees and prevent improper conduct and behaviour occurring. The safety and absence of risk to health in the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances including the provision of suitable protective clothing and equipment where hazards cannot be eliminated. The arrangement for adequate facilities for welfare, including medical and occupational health services. The maintenance of the safety, health and welfare at work of its employees which is as important as the management of production, cost effectiveness, sales etc. It is company policy to provide the appropriate resources of time, personnel, expertise and finance as required under Section 12 of the Act to enable the above responsibilities to be met. Dublin Bus is committed to the highest standard of Housekeeping. The company is committed to keeping its workplaces clean and hygienic. The company is committed to high standards of lighting in all work areas. The company will ensure comfortable working temperature, Suitable clothing is provided that is adequate where necessary for work outdoors and in inclement weather/conditions Good ventilation while attempting to minimise draughts,  Mechanical ventilation where fresh air supply is insufficient Heating systems which do not give off fumes into the workplace, Noise levels controlled to reduce nuisance as well as damage to health, Heat stress reduced by controlling radiant heat by positioning heater units at correct levels and installing independent unit controls. It is illegal for staff to smoke in a depot, on a bus or in offices or any other indoor work areas. Under no circumstances should staff smoke in the workplace except in designated areas. The risk is minimised by implementing good housekeeping standards, safe working practices and use of safe materials by cleaning staff, and insistence on the use of appropriate footwear. Sharp Object/ needle Stick Injury There is a risk to all staff, particularly night cleaning staff associated with picking up miscellaneous discarded items that are too large for removal by the vacuum. Medium Staff notices highlight the importance of vigilance in regard to these hazards. Pick-up staff should use protective gloves at all times. Drivers Internal Vehicle Movement The hazards associated with the internal movement of vehicles include serious or fatal injury to persons and property damage Medium To minimise the risk all staff when driving on Dublin Bus property must not exceed posted limit, must not turn too sharply, must not drive too close to persons and must only reverse when necessary. As interface can’t be avoided, the company is committed to implement such precautions as are practical, the provision and maintenance or radios on all buses and liaison with local Guardia to improve security Manual Handling Many employees working within the Dublin Bus Depots are involved in some manual lifting and handling as part of their daily working duties. Any manual handling of loads can pose a hazard to employees Medium Dublin Bus Depots ensure that no person will be expected to lift loads that would likely to cause him/her injury. Lifting equipment is provided in all locations for all tasks that involve lifting. Dublin Bus Depots Portable Hand Tools Common injuries from use of hand tools include cuts, burns and pinches Medium It is Dublin Bus policy to purchase only portable electric tools that conform to the highest safety standard. Dublin Bus depots Cash/ Stock Security Many Dublin Bus premises have got cash and / or ticket stocks. There is always a threat of robbery in these locations Low All cash offices are designed to high security requirements. Six monthly security reviews take place in each Garage, and an annual audit by the insurance underwrite takes place. Mr James McHugh Protection against Assault and Robbery Almost all Dublin Bus routes are Autofare. This has removed robbery as the principal motivation for attack on drivers. Medium The provision and maintenance or radios on all buses and liaison with local Gardai to improve security Mr James McHugh Vehicle Breakdown There are a number of risks surrounding the operation of vehicle breakdown. Usually personnel from both traffic and maintenance are involved and I n many instances, customers are involved. Medium Engineering Staff will have to attend the scene to assess the vehicle and either make an on the spot repair or recover the vehicle to the garage for further investigations and repair. Engineering Staff Operation of Vehicles A risk of injury associated with crews taking over or while operating vehicles exists. Medium Staff must be aware of any spillage in garages/ garage yards or on the open road Engineering Staff Driver Fatigue Risk of causing accident High Drivers should get periods of high quality sleep and rest. Make sure that drivers working and driving schedules are kept within reasonable. Drivers Record your Findings Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 Duties of Employers Duty to ensure the design, provision and maintenance of any place of work under the employer’s control in a condition that is safe and without risk to health. Duty to ensure the design, provision and maintenance of safe means of access and egress from any place of work under the employer’s control. Duty to ensure the provision of systems of work that are planned, organised, performed and maintained so as to be safe and without risk to health. Duty to ensure the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure the safety and health at work of employees. Duties of Employees To take reasonable care for his/her own safety, health and welfare and that of any other person who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions To  co-operate with the employer and any other person to enable the employer or other person to comply with statutory obligations. To use any suitable appliance, protective clothing, convenience, equipment or other means provided intended to secure the employee’s safety, health and welfare and To report to the employer or immediate supervisor, without unreasonable delay, and safety/health defects in plant, equipment, place of work or system of work, of which he/she becomes aware. Risk & Safety Management The health and safety Manager, Mr. James McHugh, will provide proactive support for the safety, health and welfare of employees, visitors and contractors, the safety of customers and other road users and security of premises, fleet and equipment. Safety awareness among employees, customers and others affected by Dublin Bus activities shall be promoted and guidance and direction provided for management in all matters relating to safety. Staff safety training will be organised across all areas of the Company. Safety Audits, risk assessments and safety monitoring will continue to form the basis of effective risk management. Liaison with external bodies will include the Health and Safety Authority, the National Industrial Safety Organisation, the National Safety Council, IBEC, The Construction Industry Federation, the Institution of Occupation Safety and Health, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the Road Safety Authority as well as independent, commercial occupational safety and health consultative, training and fire survey agencies. Responsibility The Chief Executive, Mr. Paddy Doherty, is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the Safety Statement by taking a direct interest in the Company’s Safety, Health and Welfare activities and affording support in terms of staffing and resources to those whose responsibility it is to carry it out. The discharge of this responsibility devolves on the Chief Engineer Dublin Bus Mr. Shane Doyle, whose deputy for the purpose of the SHWW Act 2005 is Mr. James McHugh, Health and safety Manager. He will ensure that senior managers are aware of and implement their responsibility in relation to managers reporting to them. Co-operation of Employees Dublin Bus employees are legally obliged to co-operate in the promotion of Safety, Health & Welfare in the workplace, as specified under Section 13 of the 2005 Act. Safety Representatives As required under Section 25 of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, Safety Representatives have been elected to represent the Safety, Health & Welfare interest of employees. Appropriate training is made available to Representatives and they are afforded facilities for the carrying out of their duties as specified in Section 25. In addition to informal everyday contact between local management/supervision and Safety Representatives, regular meetings will be held between local Management and Safety Representatives and a record of the proceedings will be maintained. Training Manager Employee Development & Equality Ms. Pat Normanly is responsible for formal staff training within the company. As our core business is primarily related to bus driver training, Mr John Flynn, Training School Manager, is responsible for the day to day running of these training programmes. To ensure the effective implementation of the Safety Statement and to ensure that employees are able to discharge their responsibilities in a safe and healthy environment, appropriate training will be given as required both from within the Company’s resources and also utilising outside expertise. All Engineering staff, whether commencing employment with Dublin Bus or transferring from another depot, will receive induction training to ensure that they fully understand the hazards, safety precautions and emergency procedures associated with working in the particular Depot. They will be given a tour of the depot in its entirety so they are familiar with the layout, fire escapes, assembly points etc. this should be conducted by the Engineering Manager and must also include a briefing on fire safety procedures and a review of any site-specific hazards. In order to ensure that each employee receives a complete and comprehensive induction, Engineering Managers should complete the prescribed form and retain a copy on the employee’s file. In compliance with the terms of the Safety, Health, Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the General Application Regulation 2007, Dublin Bus will provide mandatory training where necessary. Fire Prevention Responsibility for the Management of the Company’s Fire Prevention policies rests with Mr. Shane Doyle, Chief Engineer, Dublin Bus. His deputy is Aidan McGinty, Assistant Engineer. Engineering Managers are responsible for the implementation of fire precautions in their respective locations, as is the materials Manager in regard to the Materials Handling premises in Broadstone, Area Manager (central) in Central Control and Administration Officer, Human Resources Department in Earl Place. Drivers who discover a fire on their bus, or if a fire is brought to their attention by a customer must follow these instructions. Stop the bus immediately and switch off engine/main switch Evacuate customers from the bus to a place of safety Call control and request assistance of Fire Brigade If fire is small and safe to tackle, use fire extinguisher on boards bus If not, leave the bus and go to place of safety with customers and await assistance First Aid All Dublin Bus sites have a First Aid Room, have trained First Aiders and equipped with First Aid Provisions. All employees new to a site must familiarise themselves with local arrangements. New First Aid Regulations were introduced in November 2008. Employees who suffer injury in the course of their employment are required to present themselves for appropriate treatment. Treatment may be carried out in the place of work by the approved First Aider or by referral to hospital or other. First Aiders are required to keep appropriate records. First Aiders are also required to acquaint their Supervisors when first aid supplies require replenishing. Emergency Plan Emergency evacuation plans are part of the overall fire safety system and are outline to fire marshals and wardens in the course of the training. All locations have plans displayed outlining the procedure to be adopted in the event of an emergency. These evacuation plans, are routinely checked by the local manager. Fire Wardens are appointed and trained and the statutory evacuation of premises is carried out twice yearly. Review and update Printed copies of the Dublin Bus Safety Statement are held by Management and Safety Representatives. Copies are also available at each location for the further information and perusal of all employees and are freely available to any member of the staff, on request. The Safety Statement is also available for viewing on the Dublin Bus â€Å"Busnet† system, the Public and Work Driver on your computer and the Public Folders of your email Inbox. Additionally, the Safety Statement is available to any other person, e.g. contractors likely to be affected by Dublin Bus activities. The Dublin Bus Safety Statement, which is a â€Å"living document†, will be updated at least annually as per Section 20 of the SHWW Act 2005. Where necessary it will be revised periodically, or as directed.

The boundary between normal and pathological

The boundary between normal and pathological aging is difficult to define because cognition is not homogenous in the elderly. Moreover, there is also a large heterogeneity in the performance within different domains of cognition and even within the subsystems of one specific domain, for example, memory. However, some general factors have been identified in normal cerebral aging, which might be important mediators between age and cognition.There is a decrease in the capacity of working memory and information-processing speed as well as problems in the inhibition of nonrelevant information (Van der Linden et al., 1999). Thus, most elderly persons will exhibit mild difficulties in acquiring new information that do not have any repercussions on everyday activities.Behavioral medicine research over the past several years has identified a number of characteristics that affect the development and course of cognitive impairment and coronary disease in elderly. Included among these psychosoci al risk factors are hostility, depression, social isolation, high job strain, and low socioeconomic status.The specific mechanisms whereby these factors influence the pathogenesis and prognosis of major causes of death such as coronary heart disease (CHD), but considerable research points to accompanying health behaviors (smoking, dietary habits, and alcohol consumption) and biological characteristics (altered functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems) as likely mediators.Finally, research evaluating interventions targeting psychosocial risk factors in groups of patients with CHD and cognitive impairment offer considerable promise that secondary prevention will be shown to have an important place in the treatment and rehabilitation of these aging diseases. The purpose of this work is to review specifically cognitive impairment and coronary disease in elderly and call attention to the important but often overlooked a correlation in cognitive impairment and coro nary heart disease in elderly.Physical and psychological risk factors will be studied in relation to the development of coronary heart disease and cognitive impairment. This research, in which information regarding life events prior to sudden cardiac death was obtained, reveals that there is a reverse process where coronary heart disease can lead an individual to cognitive impairment.Research on what can be done about the modifiable risk factors in order to prevent or at least minimize the chances of getting cognitive impairment and coronary heart disease receives detailed consideration in the work.