Family Medical Leave Act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Family Medical Leave Act - Essay Example Until 1993, workers were at the mercy of their employer's demands, and would often be forced to resign to accommodate their sick child or ailing parent. Larger workforces usually had some form of a leave of absence, but there was no standardization or legal protection to guarantee that your job would still be waiting for you when you returned. In 1993, President Clinton signed the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that guaranteed US workers that they would have some amount of legal protection if they are forced to take time off from work to take care of a sick family member, or help a woman through the childbirth period. While the intent of the FMLA is simple enough, there are myriad caveats and regulations that enact the legislation. The 1993 FMLA, and subsequent amendments, have created a law that allows time off to be taken by an immediate family member to care for a sick or injured relative. The time frame allowed is generally 12 weeks, though this may vary in specific situations. Because the law attempts to accommodate a wide range of scenarios, and anticipate the application of the law, it has numerous special provisions and entitlements. The purpose of this paper will be to clearly define the eligibility requirements for FMLA leave. This paper will explain what is required to obtain a leave under FMLA. It will present examples of the proper use of the FMLA, as well as the improper use of the Act. This paper will examine the potential for fraud and abuse under the law, and what is currently done to eliminate or reduce these cases. In addition, it will explain the penalty for abuse, and attempt to reveal why abuse may be difficult to identify and punish. It will accomplish these goals by examining the law fr om the standpoint of the individual as well as the organization. While this paper will strive to be complete, it is recognized that the number of specific rules, regulations, and exceptions makes a full and detailed explanation beyond the scope of this paper. The paper will cover the most widely used, and most common requests that are made to employers by workers that have a family member in need of care. Brief Historical Background The 1993 Act was finally passed and signed into law by President Clinton after two unsuccessful attempts were vetoed by President George Bush SR. in the 101st and 102nd Congresses. A Senate Report from the time noted the "demographic revolution" of the time, as well as the increasing numbers of women in the workforce, the number of adults who care for their parents, and the growing number of single parent families (Lee, 1993, 8). The Senate further contended that these numbers would have "profound consequences for the lives of working men and women and their families" (Lee, 1993, 8). In essence, single parent homes left sick children with no caregiver except the breadwinner, and aging adults that would be left to the mercy of the welfare system. In passing the FMLA in 1993 Congress stated that the Act was to "provide job security as well as a proper balance between work and family life for employees, resulting in increased worker productivity for employers" (Lee, 1993, 9). At the tim e the bill was passed, private employers had "failed to adequately respond to economic and social changes that intensified the tensions between work and

How Barbie Dolls Influence Girls Essay Example for Free

How Barbie Dolls Influence Girls Essay How we ever wonder why in toys stores, they separate the girl’s toys from the boys? Or why they have certain kind of toys for girls and boys?. We don’t think about those things. However, we see that dolls are for the girls because how we grew up. Also what society establishes show us, that girls are suppose to play with dolls because when they grow up, they would have to become mothers or housewife, be delicates and more feminine. Therefore this type of mentality was created in girls since they were little and because this is socially acceptable. Boys toys like trucks, cars and action figures, are not consider appropriate for girls because they are not consider to be feminine. According to society those types of toys are only for boys because this would teach them to be more manliness and increase their masculinity. This boys would grow up to be the strong sex and they would be the support of their family while women would take care of the babies and the house. Girls are brainwash with the toys they use, like when girls play with baby dolls, when they carry around their doll, wraps them in a blanket and take them for a nap they are learning true responsibility. However, they are taught to become mothers to early in life. They also play with popular Barbie doll, which also creates a woman stereotype that looks very unreal. These dolls represent the perfect model that is professional and has the perfect life. As a result girls visualize this doll as the type of model to follow, visualizing and creating in their young minds a type of life that doesn’t exist. Like having the perfect outfit, the perfect car or the handsome boyfriend that could cheat on them or treat them bad and that regardless of this situation it wouldn’t affect them. â€Å"Since her creation in 1959, Barbie has been a popular toy for young girls in the U. S. In 1998, on average, girls in the U. S. owned eight of these dolls and approximately two were purchased every second somewhere in the world†. By Elise Abramson). Consequently when girls play with Barbie dolls, their ways to view life is different. They create a new world where they become perfect grown ups, which is a major influence in the way they behave and think. Barbie is not a good role model for girls because this doll sends a wrong message to them about their roles in society. Barbie focus more on shopping and always being perfect with her unrealistic body. Also some of these dolls come showing some career like veterinarians, octors but always focusing on being cute and only working with cute things. Therefore, girls think about it as the way things are suppose to be and they try to act what they see or imagine, creating different scenes in their heads that projects the wonderful life that is perpetuate by this doll. In short, what we have to consider too, is that those negatives images impose by this doll to girls is also reinforce by society, which also creates a certain stereotype of women and they way she should be and look.

Life in Terry Kays To Dance With the White Dog Essay -- To Dance With

Life in Terry Kay's To Dance With the White Dog      Ã‚   The voice of Terry Kay relays to his readers a story of life through death in this short novel, To Dance With the White Dog. This novelist writes the story of an elderly man, recently widowed and dealing with everyday occurrences while also battling the inevitable effects of old age. Sam Peek, the elderly main character, tends to get fed up with his overprotective family. During this, Peek begins seeing a white dog that no one else seems to be able to see. Although Peek's family thinks he's losing his mind, in the end the dog turns out to be very real and even seems to everyone as if it were sent there just to take care of the old man.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Throughout this novel, journal entries written by Sam Peek appear for the readers in order for us to get a closer look on exactly who Peek is. Deep emotions for his late wife and son, struggles in his life, his thoughts about White Dog, old memories and events from his past, and opinions about each of his children and himself appear through these entries. The touch...

Penelope, the Odyssey

Penelope, Loyal Wife of Lord Odysseus While Penelope is not the principal character in Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus’ perception of her is optimal. The relationship between them is not based on loyalty, we, the audience, have the privilege to understand his genuine feelings towards her. Throughout Odysseus’ journey, Homer assures us that he loves Penelope regardless of the fact that he has his episodes of infidelity. Homer also insinuates that Odysseus, although maybe not immediately, acknowledges the sacrifices that she makes for him.He also elaborates that Penelope is dedicated to Odysseus by constantly reminding us of how she refuses to give up on her marriage and settle with one of the many suitors that plague her estate. Penelope proved herself to be a strong individual in The Odyssey. For years during Odysseus’ absence from his kingdom, unable to return home, there were men who contended against one another hoping that they would be able to take Odys seus’ place on his throne.However, Penelope continued to wait for her husband to come home regardless of how unlikely it was that Odysseus would reclaim his title of king, all while allowing the possible replacements to believe that they have a chance as Antinous describes to Odysseus and Penelope’s only son: â€Å"So high and mighty, Telemachus—such unbridled rage! Well now, fling your accusations at us? Think to pin the blame on us? You think again. It’s not the suitors here who deserve the blame, it’s your own dear mother, the matchless queen of cunning.Look here. For three years now, getting on to four, she’s played it fast and loose with all our hearts, building each man’s hopes– dangling promises, dropping hints to each– but all the while with something else in mind. (Book 2:90-100) This suggests that women of the society in Ancient Greece would be devoted and dependent on their husbands, but were also given optio ns to pave their own paths. If tragedy were to strike, women would be able to do what they wanted to, in terms of choosing a new husband.Throughout the epic poem, Penelope can be viewed as either active or passive—active, in the sense that she is content with being independent and not allowing the suitors to sway her mind towards choosing them, and passive, because she allows the same suitors to eat away at her possessions and also that she remains submissive as a loyal wife. However, the only constant that is guaranteed is that she does love and is loyal to Odysseus, as she reveals to a stranger, oblivious to the fact that it is her husband, in fact, in disguise: â€Å"No, no, stranger,† wise Penelope demurred, â€Å"whatever form and feature I Had, what praise I’d won, he deathless gods destroyed that day the Achaeans sailed away to Troy, my husband in their ships, Odysseus—if he could return to tend my life the renown I had would only grow in glory. N ow my life is torment . . . look at the griefs some god has loosed against me! All the nobles who rule the islands round about, Dulichion, Same, and wooded Zacynthus too, and all who lord it in sunny Ithaca itself– they court me against my will, they lay waste my house. So I pay no heed to strangers, suppliants at my door, not even heralds out on their public errands here– I yearn for Odysseus, always, my heart pines away. Book 19:138-51) It was also made clear to the suitors, even though they were being led on, that they understood that Penelope had no interest in substituting Odysseus, as explained by one of the murdered suitors: â€Å"Famous Atrides! † Amphimedon’s ghost called back. â€Å"Lord of men, Agamemnon, I remember it all, your majesty, as you say, and I will tell you, start to finish now, the story of our death, the brutal end contrived to take us off. We were courting the wife of Odysseus, gone so long. She neither spurned nor embraced a ma rriage she despised, no, she simply planned our death, our black doom!This was her latest masterpiece of guile: she set up a great loom in the royal halls and she began to wave, and the weaving finespun, the yarns endless, and she would lead us on: ‘Young men, my suitors, now that King Odysseus is no more, go slowly, keen as you are to marry me, until I can finish off this web . . . so my weaving won’t all fray and come to nothing. This is a shroud for old lord Laertes, for that day when the deadly fate that lays us out at last will take him down. I dread the shame my countrywomen would heap upon me, yes, if a man of such wealth should lie in state without a shroud for cover. Her very words, and despite our pride and passion we believed her. So by day she’d weave at her great and growing web– by night, by the light of torches set beside her, she would unravel all she’d done. Three whole years she deceived us blind, seduced us with this scheme . . . (Book 24:130-57) While Penelope can be deemed mischievous by those whom she had deceived, the result was that she was truly faithful to her husband, despite the amount of time she had to wait for him and aside from his lack of fidelity towards her. Works Cited Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York, 1996

Observation Essay

Asian game was running in Inches. Since my friend from Hong Kong Is one of the representatives for Hong Kong girl squash team, and I wanted to watch any of the Aslant game matches, therefore, I chose to watch squash competition at last. It was on the 24th September. The competition was held in Hourly Squash Court. I took the wrong line of the subway since it was quite far from SHCOON and still, I was not too familiar with the subway system. As I interchanged station In Guru to Donnas of blue line 1, I saw a slight difference for people In the train from the milliamp green line 2.There were more elderly In the train. I was surprised to be asked to sit down by a kind lady. I felt like people have warmer hospitality than those from the city centre. After I entered the competition venue, I sit in front of the court that Hong Kong was playing with China. There were a few spectators as I expected. As know, squash is not a popular sport among all so it is really common to have a few spectat ors. There were 4 courts undergoing competitions In the venue. I looked around and I was shocked to see at the middle of the venue, there were full of people.I was wondering if the game was exciting so I walked towards that court. It was hard to get there because there were really a lot of people. Even the staffs heading there to see the game. I finally found a space. It was the women game which South Korea versus Japan and the score was even. I was really shocked by the full house spectators. Most of them are Korean and what surprised me most Is that many of them got banners or cheering tools. They yelled the cheering songs and slogans loudly to support the Korean team. At the same time, my Hong Kong friend had finished the game and came to me.She as also attracted by the loud cheering sound and was curious about the people. She said, â€Å"It would be so good If Hong Kong would ever have so many people supporting me. † I asked, † Would there ever be that many people w atching squash game In Hong Kong? ‘ she answered, † Even If there Is many spectators, they would never bring banners and cheer together loudly! † It was a tight game. Both Japanese and Korean players were well trained and passionate to win. I was amazed by Koreans passion to support the national team because when I went out of the venue to another venue, I could still hear their cheering sound.Korea finally won the game. After the game, there were so many questions pop-up In my mind. The first question is why is Korean so passionate to cheer for the team? I have come up with this question because squash is really not a popular sport and especially for women's match, it is not exciting as the men's. I have think of some possible answers. Firstly, since South Korea is the host country of the Asian game, people are proud and so they put their effort in supporting the team. Secondly, because the match was battling with Japan, which Is a country who always has rivalries with Korea, so Korean Observation essay I came across this situation between a Chills employee and a guest. I walked in through the to-go area, to pick up an order. As I approached the register I noticed a lady just standing there on her cell phone ignoring the to-go specialist. Since she was there before I was I kindly waited till she spoke to the young man. I heard him say repetitively welcome to chills† in the most friendliest tone ever. The lady was standing with her one hand on her hip and continued to have her conversation on her phone. The young man opened the register and began to count the money InsideIt. After he called her once again welcoming her, but at this point he was a bit agitated and you could tell within his voice. The women finally hung up her phone, yet still made no eye contact with the young man. She looked around the area grabbed a to-go menu, while glancing she said her name and was wondering why her order was taking so long. Already frustrated with the phone call she Just had, she just deci ded to take It out on the young man. Blaming him for getting her food late. According to her it was horrible service.Aggravatingly yelling â€Å"where Is your anger, I demand to speak to him! † with her hands in his face. He calmly said â€Å"yes ma'am, Ill go ahead and call him over here. † The manager approached both of them and asked what the problem was. The women went off saying he was rude because he ignored her presence, never welcomed her, nor asked for her name. Rolling her eyes claiming the employee was on his cell phone, testing people instead of doing his lob. The Chills manager apologized and to please the guest he gave the women a discount as well.After everything was taken care of she put on her black sunglasses ND as she was walking away she turned around and impolitely told the employee â€Å"thank for the horrible experience! † When I went up for my order I made sure I helped the young man clear his name. He did his Job, and he did it very well . The woman was obviously already in a bad mood as she walked into the restaurant, maybe she was having a bad day and that one phone call did not help. For her to take out her anger on a complete stranger is Just not right. Observation essay By bind lady Just standing there on her cell phone ignoring the to-go specialist.Since she was ere phone. The young man opened the register and began to count the money inside it. After he called her once again welcoming her, but at this point he was a bit she Just decided to take it out on the young man. Blaming him for getting her food late, according to her it was horrible service. Aggravatingly yelling â€Å"where is your ma'am, I'll go ahead and call him over here. † The manager approached both of them job. The Chills manager apologized and to please the guest he gave the women a â€Å"thank you for the horrible experience! † When I went up for my order I made sure I

Jobs in the Geography Field

Jobs in the Geography Field A common question asked of those studying geography is, What are you going to do with that degree? Actually, there are many potential careers for geography majors. While job titles dont often include the word geographer, studying geography teaches young people a wide range of useful skills for the marketplace, including computer, research, and analytical talents that translate well to the workforce. An internship in an area of interest will get your foot in the door and provide valuable on-the-job, real-world experience that will make your resume much more impressive. Here are some options as you begin your job search: Urban Planner/Community Developer Geography is a natural tie-in with urban or city planning. City planners work on zoning, land use, and new developments, from gas station renovations to the development of new sections of the urban geography. Youll work with property owners, developers, and other officials. If youre interested in this area, plan to take urban geography and urban planning classes. An internship with a city planning agency is essential experience for this type of work. Cartographer Those with cartography course backgrounds probably enjoy making maps. News media, book and atlas publishers, government agencies, and others are looking for cartographers to help produce maps. GIS Specialist City governments, county agencies, other governmental bodies, and private groups often need experienced GIS (geographic information system) professionals. Coursework and internships in GIS are especially important. Computer programming and engineering skills are also helpful in this arena- the more you know about computers, the better off you are. Climatologist Organizations such as the National Weather Service, news media, the Weather Channel, and other government entities occasionally need climatologists. These jobs usually go to those with meteorology degrees, but a geographer with experience and coursework in meteorology and climatology would definitely be an asset. Transportation Manager Regional transit authorities and shipping, logistics, and transportation companies look kindly on applicants with transportation geography and good computer and analytical skills in their backgrounds. Environmental Manager Environmental assessment, cleanup, and management companies do business throughout the world. A geographer brings excellent skills to project management and the development of papers such as environmental impact reports. Its a wide-open field with tremendous growth opportunities. Writer/Researcher During your college years, youve undoubtedly spent time developing your writing skills, and as a geography major, you know how to research. Consider a career as a science writer or travel writer for a magazine or newspaper. Teacher Becoming a high school or university geography instructor requires additional education beyond your undergraduate degree, but it would be rewarding to instill your love of geography in future geographers. Becoming a geography professor would allow you to research geographic topics and add to the body of geographic knowledge. Emergency Manager Emergency management is an under-explored field for geographers but fertile ground for . geography majors. They understand interactions between humans and the environment, know about hazards and earth processes, and can read maps. Add a bit of political acumen and leadership skills and you have a great emergency manager. Get started in this field by taking hazard courses in geography, geology, and sociology and interning with an emergency management agency or the Red Cross. Demographer For a population geographer who loves demographic data, what could be more rewarding than becoming a demographer working for state or federal agencies to help develop population estimates and other information? The U.S. Census Bureau actually has a position titled Geographer. Interning in a local planning agency would help you get started. Marketer Another way to become involved in demography, the study of human populations, is marketing, where you gather demographic information and get the word out to those interested in the demographics youre researching. This is one of the more glamorous arenas for a geographer. Foreign Service Officer Every country on Earth has a diplomatic corps to represent their homeland abroad. Geographers are excellent candidates for this type of career. In the United States, you begin the process of becoming a foreign service officer by taking the Foreign Service Officer Test. The work can be difficult but rewarding. You might spend years, if not your entire career, away from home, but depending on the assignment, that might be just fine. Librarian/Information Scientist Your research skills as a geographer apply particularly well to working as a librarian. If you want to help people navigate the world of information, this could be the career for you. National Park Service Ranger Are you a physical geographer who needs to be outside and wouldnt consider working in an office? A career in the National Park Service could be right up your alley. Real Estate Appraiser Real estate appraisers develop an estimate of value for a piece of property, researching market areas, assembling data, and using various analytical techniques to provide a number that reflects all market evidence. This multidisciplinary field incorporates aspects of geography, economics, finance, environmental planning, and law. Typical appraisal tools include aerial photos, topographic maps, GIS, and GPS, which also are the tools of a geographer.

Stalin from the view of Trotsky essays

Stalin from the view of Trotsky essays I would urge strongly that at this congress a number of changes be made in out political structure. I want to tell you of the considerations to which I attach most importance. At the head of the list I set an increase in the number of Central Committee members to a few dozen or even a hundred. It is my opinion that without this reform our Central Committee would be in great danger if the course of events were not quite favourable for us (and that is something we cannot count upon). Then, I intend to propose that the congress should on certain conditions invest the decisions of the State Planning Commission with legislative force, meeting in this respect the wishes of Comrade Trotsky - to a certain extent and on certain conditions. As for the first point, i.e., increasing the number of CC members, I think it must be done in order to raise the prestige of the CC, to do a thorough job of improving our administrative machinery, and to prevent conflicts between small sections of the CC from acquiring excessive importance for the future of the party. It seems to me that our party has every right to demand from the working class fifty to one hundred CC members, and that it could get them from it without unduly taxing the resources of that class. Such a reform would considerably increase the stability of our party and ease its struggle in the encirclement of hostile states, which, in my opinion, is likely to and must become much more acute in the next few years. I think that the stability of our party would gain a thousandfold by such a measure. By stability of the CC, of which I spoke above, I mean measures against a split, as far as such measures can at all be taken. For, of course, the white guard in Russaya Mysl was right when, in the white guards game against Soviet Russia he banked on a split in our party, and when secondly, he banked on grave differences in our party to cause that split. Our party relies on t...