Recording, analysing and using HR information Essay

It is beneficial for a business to collect a variety of data to gain an understating of its performance to satisfy compliance legislation. However the information collected needs to be useful, relevant and selective. Raw data collected can be converted into useful information. It is important for human resources (HR) to collect data to meet legal requirements, keep necessary contact details of employees, records all contractual arrangements and to provide supporting information in the event of a claim that may be made against an organisation. It also supports an organisation when making decisions. Data can be collected in two different types of formats within an organisation. These are quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative is data collected numerically which allows for data to be measured and calculated. Quantitative is a descriptive method of collecting data. This type of data can be observed but not measured. These two different types of data support HR practices in a number of different ways, such as, showing patterns of absence relating to employees, highlighting any learning and development requirements that an individual may require, trends’ in staff turnover and key performance indicators. Customer feedback can also be obtained to allow a business to improve it services and costs can also be easily monitored. HR data can be stored by a number of different methods each having advantages and disadvantages. Data can be stored electronically and non-electronically. Storing data electronically can be beneficial as it is easy to access, can be shared easily and takes up less space. Online HR systems are available to employees where data and information can be added and updated by an individual and also can be accessed by one or more people such as line managers. This is useful for appraisals and monitoring performance. Storing data electronically through databases is also more secure than manual documents. Sorting data manually such as diaries, word processing documents and paper based surveys also has its benefits as it can be more cost effective to a business and cannot be easily lost where electronic data could be. Also employees require less training to store and organise manual data. There is an array of different UK legislations currently enforced relating to data and legislation is in place to enforce correct storing, recording and accessibility of data. One of these UK legislations are The Data Protection Act, The information commissioner has produced a code of conduct relating to the data protection act. This applies to personal data held and the legitimate grounds for this being held, which information is classed as sensitive and cannot be gathered without explicit permission. Another type of current UK legislation is the Human Rights act. This confers the right of respect of privacy on individuals and provides for employees in the public sector to take legal actions against their employer of they consider their rights infringed.

English as a Global Language Essay

In recent decades, the entire world has bared witness to the rise of English as the world’s primary language. Apart from being the primary forms of communication for ordinary people, English has also poses as a means of communication in other domains such as mass communications, economics, engineering, business, aviation, political affairs, and entertainment. The question has thus become apparent, how did English become the world’s lingua franca? Originally, English was only spoken as a vernacular language of people within the British Isles, but since the expansion of the British Empire from the middle ages to the middle of 18th century, the English colonizers have taken their local dialect to the territories they conquer (Schitz, 2004). With the exception of Egypt and Sudan, figure 1 shows that most of the nations under the British Empire’s control manifest the influence of the English language to the local populace. Figure 1 (Schitz, 2004) Today, the English language is considered the primary language of most countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Asia, Africa (Schitz, 2004). Putting the number of speakers aside, the placement of English in the pedestal of global language can also be attributed to the stature of the global superpower. From the very reason of the spread of English to the world’s consciousness, power plays a vital role in recognition of language. David Crystal explains that language itself is dependent, in a sense that language only exists in the human senses of those who speak it, when such people of a particular language succeed, their language comes with them (1997, 7). As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the United States being a superpower nation is the major factor why English is a global language. And being the emblem for world dominance for the last five decades reflects that power has played a vital role in the emergence of the United States’ brand of English as a global language (Bruthiaux, 2003, 9). Gillaume Schitz (2004) relates the strength of America as a superpower to the constant migrations in the country in recent decades. Figure 2 (Schitz, 2004) Based on Schitz’s analysis, the diction and/or accent of American English varies dependent of the regions within the American geography, but regardless of the diversity of the American English norms, generally, American English is a world standard because of its stature among the world’s nations. In a similar magnitude, the American English language contributes to success in various fields such as culture, business and economy while complementing the fact that the success of the United States in other facets of human endeavour also establishes English as a global language. For instance, the multinational fast-food chain McDonalds primarily invaded the food industries of non-English speaking nations through the introduction of their food products to the markets of most countries in the world. English as a global language provides an extensive communication system in the advent of globalization through overseas employment, tourism, international security and information dissemination (Crystal, 1997, 100). Overseas employment requires a universal language since there are applicants and employers who do not understand the native language of one another. Similar principles can be applied in the art of music, a song cannot grasp international success and recognition if the lyrics cannot be understood (Crystal, 1997, 104). Braj B. Kachru (1995) has come up with the three circle model to represent English as a global language by categorizing the use of English as primary, secondary, and tertiary language. The drastic change in the world’s collective culture is another considerable factor on why English is the global language. Much of this is brought about by the fact that most influences on the world’s cultural trends come from Americans. The technology of personal computers for instance, contributes to the proliferation of English in the context of a global language because the American life has transformed the personal computer from a sophisticated technological device to a standard business tool and home appliance. And as David Groddol indicates, English is used in most computer and internet applications simply because most of these applications are made by Americans (Graddol, 1997, 4). In addition to the trend that most transactions today are processed in computers and that the internet can be used as a means of education and resource for information (Graddol, 1997, 4). Technology in terms of communication is another vital factor that manifests the reason why English is the language of globalization (Crystal, 1997, 86), since English can serve as the universal medium to share cultures. English can also serve as the universal informant of international affairs and other international issues. English should be the world language simply because it has become popular over the centuries. The rise and fall of the British empire, the drastic changes in culture, economy, bussiness, technology and communication contribute to putting the english language in the pedestal of universality. The given points in the essay answers the question should english be become the world’s language, and justifies the answers to the said questions as well. In this sense, english can be the only medium that can unite a diverse world. References Bruthiaux, P. Tonkin, H. , and Reagan, T. G. (Eds). (2003). Contexts and Trends for English as a Global Language. In Language in the Twenty-first Century. Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company. Crystal, D. (1997). English as a Global Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Graddol, D. (1997) The Future of English?. London: The British Council. Kachru, B, B. , Quirk, R. and Widdowson, H. G. (Eds). (1985) Standards, codification and sociolinguistic realism: The English language in the Outer Circle. In English in the world: Teaching and learning the language and literatures. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Schitz, Guilaume. â€Å"Lecture 7 – World-Wide English. † 6 February 2004. eHistLing. 3 March 2008

Marked Women Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Marked Women - Assignment Example This in itself is part of the problem; because women are marked, their opinions don’t count and they are encouraged not to speak out. I feel that Tannen is exploring uncovered territory as far as gender imbalances are concerned. What Tannen really does well is use her experience of observing both men and women at a small working conference. This is the best place in which to find unconscious gender stereotypes because of the formal setting. Women can also be marked in every day life, but it is more pronounced in a male-dominated business world. Because women feel that they have to conform to a certain type of image, this only shows that they themselves feel as though they are marked. I found it really interesting about the mention Ralph Fascold’s book and his thoughts on the topic. To be marked literally means to be different and have a defining feature that sets someone apart. From a biological point of view, it makes sense for males to be considered marked because they have a Y chromosome, something which women do not possess. Women will only be considered â€Å"unmarked† if society changes its attitude towards women, although this will probably take many

Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Leadership - Essay Example Eisenhower and President John F. Kennedy. There are a couple different styles of leadership that a leader can use. President Eisenhower was a transactional leader, in that his style of leadership was systematic and was based on the idea of rewards and punishments associated with making decisions. This comes with the fact that he had a military background, which provided him the experience and knowledge base for him to exercise his leadership authority. Many of his actions were the result of defense and competition with the Soviets as his term of presidency was during the period where the United States was operating under the containment policy of trying to prevent the spread of Communism into the democratic sphere. Thus these programs, such as the development of nuclear weapons as well as the start to the NASA program served their purpose as showing the United States’ raw power. As a result, a majority of the way in which he dictated policy both in the United States and as in foreign policy was always based on that of defense and military authority (â€Å"Dwight D. Eisenhower†, 2011). President John F. Kennedy was an enthusiastic, young leader that was more inexperienced than his predecessor President Eisenhower. He also was a soldier who served as an officer in the Untied States Navy.

Health sciences and medicine Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Health sciences and medicine - Case Study Example The initial lab evaluation entails the testing of the BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen). The test determines the volume of nitrogen in the blood that results from the by-product of urea (Desch & Motto 2007).   It establishes functioning of the kidney in the elimination urea from the blood. In a situation where the kidney is not functioning well, the blood urea nitrogen level increases. The test is beneficial since it enables the use of creatinine test to enable the finding of the Blood Urea Nitrogen to Creatinine ratio (BUN: creatinine) allowing the identification of dehydration problems in the patient. The laboratory result showed that the Blood Urea Nitrogen of the patient was 9.3 mmol/L. The result falls within the normal range that is recommended for children who are between 5 to18 mg/dL (Lehman, 2008).Haemoglobin Test      The test is usually to investigate blood conditions including anemia together with the hematocrit or complete blood count. The test is beneficial in the screeni ng, monitoring and diagnosis of diseases and conditions that impact on the red blood cells and the volume of hemoglobin in the blood. Conditions that lead to the loss or destruction of the red blood cells dues to bleeding makes the bone marrow unable to secrete new ones quickly hence leading to hemoglobin reduction and thus leading to anemia.The hemoglobin test on the patient arrived at a result of 82g/L that is low than the normal level that is between 120 to 140 g/L, hence suggesting that the patient is anemic.

Stress and the Neuroendocrine Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Stress and the Neuroendocrine Response - Essay Example Prolonged stress tends to impair the learning and memory ability of individuals, which is as a result of reduction or loss of the hippocampal volume. Chronic stress also impacts on the level of dopamine released, which blunts an individuals capacity for pleasure, and increases anxiety facilitating poor decision making (Amara & Kuhar, 1993). Â  Short-term stress in this article is described as stimulation. Transient and moderate stress that leave individuals feeling good. The effect of short-term stress on the brain is the increased activity of the cells in the hippocampus, the region responsible for learning and memory. Another effect of the stimulation has increased the release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter central to pleasure, hence the feel-good effect. Â  The hippocampus is a small region of the brain that is associated with learning, memory, and spatial navigation. It is placed in the middle of the temporal lobe just below the cortical surface. It is structured into two halves, lying on the right and left sides of the brain and has a curved shape. The hippocampus is associated with the formation of long-term memories and three-dimensional space navigation. The impairment of the region can cause memory loss. Hippocampal neurogenesis shows that production of new cells in the brain follows a procedure. During which, newborn cells have acquiesced to regulatory factors which influence cell proliferation, maturation, and survival. Situational and dispositional factors have the ability to control neurogenesis and impact on the hippocampal reliant learning and memory (Freund & Buzsaki, 1996).

IPad's Security Breach Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

IPad's Security Breach - Essay Example Subsequent to this breach of AT&T’s security, a lot of security issues have since arisen for the firm and other computer security firms. In addition, many interested parties have questioned the justification of hacking activities as well as the role of ethical statements and policies of computer security firms, which promote activities such as website hacking. This paper explores the subjects of the possibility of the justification of hacking, computer security firms’ ethics that promote hacking, and the social responsibilities of media firms such as Gawkers Media LLC. Justification of Hacking into Websites Most hackers state that they hack into websites not as criminals but as interested parties seeking to identify flaws in computer systems or reveal certain information. By hacking, they claim, it becomes possible for computer security firms to prevent or rectify any damaging security leaks. However, due to the side effects of hacking and the damages it causes to compu ter firms’ images and business, questions have a risen on the issue of justification for hacking and activities. While others insist that hacking can never be justifiable, others believe it is a justifiable practice, depending on the reasons for which it is done (Harper’s Forum, 1999). ... peoples’ data worldwide, hackers believe they compel these companies to ensure that they have tamperproof systems that keep their clients’ data confidential. Therefore, hackers are watchdog for the public on the security weaknesses of technology firms. Hacking is thus justifiable since it addresses the vulnerabilities inherent in technology products that expose clients’ confidential information (Harper’s Forum, 1999). Hacking could also be justifiable if its exposes illegal political activities by discredited groups. In addition, hacking may be justified if it reveals certain publicly important information, which the public is denied by governments, organizations, or politicians. Importantly, hackers reveal malpractices and criminal activities that may be happening without the knowledge of the public and the law enforcement agencies. That is, when a hacker discovers the criminal operations of certain individuals or organizations and such reports are sent t o law enforcers, that hacking is certainly justified since it benefits the society and does not harm the public or any private person in any way (Harper’s Forum, 1999). Various factors have been found to promote hacking activities. Among these factors are the various ethical statements by computer security firms. Corporate Ethics Statement That Promote Hacking The ethical issue regarding the freedom to access information is perhaps the number one motivator of hackers to indulge in their activities. In fact, the ethic on which hackers justify their actions is that they investigate issues, allowing every individual in the society to gain information and knowledge on the various hidden issues affecting their lives (Ermann, 1997). Once a corporate computer firm issues ethical statements that emphasize the