The Manager of Human Resources of ABC Company Essay

The Manager of Human Resources of ABC Company - Essay Example Aside from the job posting in the office, I will also advertise in leading newspapers or via the internet recruitment sites. The next step is managing the response. We at HR will collect all the resumes submitted. After compilation of all the resumes of the job applicants, we shall shortlist the applicants to around 120. This is done by comparing each resume with the requirements of the employee specification. Our goal here is to determine the most qualified candidates to schedule in-person interviews. The next step in the recruitment process is the job interviews. The job interview will be clearly designed and agreed upon between our department and the line management. The aim of the interview is to discover the candidate who meets the requirements and fits best the corporate culture and the department. The panel will use the same set of questions with each interviewee. During this stage, the interview panelists will evaluate the relevant skills and experiences of the applicants. We shall also explore their interests in pursuing a career with our company. The interview process is essential in learning about the past accomplishments and achievements of the applicants. A part of the interview will also give the applicant a brief introduction about our company. This is necessary so that the applicant will also know whether he will fit in the organization. The interview will also include a selection test. ... will then be subjected to reference checks and a comprehensive background investigation, before an offer of employment is extended by our department. A verbal offer is then made to the candidate and if he agrees to it, a written offer is made. The written offer will specify the position and the compensation. The successful candidates will be required to submit the necessary documents and the other appointment formalities will be discussed. I foresee that the recruitment and hiring process will take around one month and two weeks. The next challenge to me is the training of the newly accepted employees. I realize that new employees usually feel anxiety and excitement during the first few days of their employment. I believe that training for these new recruits should, therefore, harness their enthusiasm, reduce their fears and direct their energy. An induction training will be conducted for the new recruits. The induction training will include general training, mandatory training, job training and the training evaluation. In the general training, the new recruits will be introduced to the organization, which includes our vision, mission, values, philosophies and the history and structure of the company. This is where I will emphasize how much our company values customer satisfaction and quality service. This training will be handled directly by the HR department and will take one day to accomplish. The next step in the induction training is the mandatory training which will also be handled by the HR department. This encompasses the corporate policies and business processes. It will also include the health and safety requirements as well as some of the legalities of the organization.  

Confessions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Confessions - Essay Example Before confession, an old woman named Ryan, who was also his teacher, was the main person who framed his views about religion and the hereafter. She was the one who would mention hell every now and then. She always had a candle in her purse, which she used to symbolize hell. She would ask boys to hold a finger in the flame, and would tell that it was nothing as compared to eternal burning in hell. â€Å"Then she asked were we afraid of holding one finger-only one finger! - in a little candle flame for five minutes and not afraid of burning all over in roasting hot furnaces for all eternity† (O’Connor 2) was what she would tell the boys. Jackie got the idea that religion was all about burning people who did wrong deeds. He knew that life did not matter, as all that mattered was the hereafter in which God had to burn people in â€Å"hot furnaces† (2). Ryan was responsible for outlining these ideas of Jackie’s, as she would say, â€Å"All eternity! Just thin k of that! A whole lifetime goes by and it's nothing, not even a drop in the ocean of your sufferings† (2). Jackie’s perception of confession before the priest was also very pessimistic, and this perception had also been granted by the off-putting Mrs. Ryan. She had mentioned an account of a man who had made a bad confession. He stayed in guilty for many days to come, and finally went to priest for correcting his confession; but, he got burnt the night before the confession. For Jackie, that was the consequence of a bad confession, because he says, â€Å"This story made a shocking impression on me† (2). Hence, he believed that a bad confession led to horrible death. Moreover, he also believed that he was a great sinner, as Ryan would mention, off and on, that it was important to examine the conscience to be a good person. She would ask the boys if they loved their parents and other people whom they knew; and, Jackie knew that he was an ultimate sinner because he hated his grandmother and his sister. â€Å"I had no hope of ever doing anything else† (3) means that Jackie had become hopeless because his perception of religion had been deteriorated in a very bad way. That is why, the day he was going to confess, he looked back at the houses and metaphorically thought that it was like â€Å"Adam's last glimpse of Paradise† (4). However, Jackie confessed. It was a heart-wrecking experience for him. He could not find the courage in the first instance; but, he confessed before the priest the second time he got the chance to speak it all out. To Jackie’s surprise and contrary to what Nora had told him, the priest proved to be very understanding. He listened to Jackie’s intentions of killing the grandmother and Nora, and gave him three Hail Marys. That changed the world for Jackie. Previously he had thought of religion as a freaking thing that intended to give punishments only; but now, he understood that religion was not scary. He says, â€Å"I knew now I wouldn't die in the night and come back, leaving marks on my mother's furniture† (9), which shows that he was not worried of burning due to a bad confession or burning in hell anymore. Before confession, his state of mind was upsetting, which shows when he says, â€Å"the wind whistled outside so that the silence within seemed to crackle like ice under my feet† (4); but, after the confession his mental state had totally changed, which shows when

The Importance of Communication Essay Example for Free

The Importance of Communication Essay Foundations Workers at all levels of an organization, be they CEOs, middle managers, or entry-level staff, recognize that change is inevitable. However, the successful implementation of organizational change in response to changes in an organization’s external environment can be one of the greatest challenges top-level leaders face. Regardless of how far-seeing and meticulously planned organizational change may be, it will not be effectively implemented unless it is communicated to an organization’s staff in such a way that resistance is overcome, fears are assuaged, confusion is minimized, and buy-in by all affected individuals is secured. Kurt Lewin (as cited in Evans, Ward, Rugaas, 2000) was one of the first to develop a model of behavioral change in his 1951 book, Field Theory in Social Sciences. Lewin described three stages as being necessary in the implementation of a change in a person’s behavior. The first of these is unfreezing, the stage during which a person becomes ready to learn or acquire a new behavior, perhaps by recognizing the ineffectiveness of a current behavior or by learning about the benefits that would accrue if the new behavior were implemented. The second stage is the change itself, which will involve a trial period during which the person familiarizes him or herself with the new behavior. Finally, the refreezing stage occurs as the new behavior becomes habitual or ingrained with the individual. Thinkers in the management field have applied this model to the process of change within organizations. In order for change to be effectively and lastingly implemented, all staff affected by the change must go through this unfreezing-changing-refreezing process. Kotter (1995) lists eight steps that leaders of organizations should take in order to successfully implement change. One of the most crucial steps in the process, and the step during which many attempts at organizational  change fail, is communicating the vision of change to the staff via every possible means. He notes that a classic error made by leaders trying to implement change is under-communication of the change to the staff that will be implementing it. The most effective communicators discuss the change at every opportunity and incorporate the discussion into day-to-day activities such as performance reviews, employee training courses, and quarterly production meetings, thus making clear to employees not only the overarching vision of change for the organization, but also exactly where the employee fits into the process. Organizational leaders must also behave in ways that are consistent with the vision they are promoting: communication regarding the change should occur not only via words, but also via deeds (Kotter, 1995). Communication about change aids in the unfreezing of old behaviors, the transition during which new behaviors are adopted, and the refreezing of the new behavior into habit. In fact, Ford and Ford (1995) claim that change does not occur except in that it is mediated by communication; in other words, communication is the context within which change occurs. They describe four types of conversations that move the change process through its successive phases: initiative conversations, that begin the change process by focusing the participants’ attention on what needs to be done; conversations of understanding, during which the participants seek to make sense of the problem and start generating methods of addressing it; conversations of performance, which concentrate on producing the intended result; and conversations for closure, during which the change process is determined to be complete. This model of change as mediated by the conversations that instigate and guide it differs from previous thought in which communication about the change is presented as a single stage in the change process, although it expands upon Kotter’s (1995) call for communication regarding change to occur in as many contexts as possible within an organization. The model also helps to conceptualize the role of communication during the stages of unfre ezing (instigation), change (understanding and performance), and refreezing (closure). Current thinking in organizational change and communication The work by Lewin (Evans, Ward, Rugaas, 2000), Kotter (1995), Ford and Ford (1995), and other earlier researchers in the field lays an important  foundation for current work in the use of communication to effectively promote change within an organization. Deborah Barrett (2002) developed the Strategic Employee Communication model as a tool for organizations to use in assessing the effectiveness of their own communication channels when confronted with the necessity of organizational change. The model breaks down effective employee communication into four components which interact in well-functioning companies to reinforce strategic objectives. One important component is a top and middle level management that is committed to fostering communications â€Å"up, down, and across the organization† (Barrett, 2002). The second component is the communications themselves: messages that are both tailored to the audience they are intended for to maximize relevance, and that are consist ent with each other and with the overall strategic objectives of the organization. The third component is the mode of communication; it should rely on a variety of media but should take place primarily in person. The final component is a communications team or staff that is positioned in such a way as to be privy to the thinking behind the company’s strategic objectives so that the messages they produce reflect an understanding of the change. In companies that have effective communication networks, these four components are continually assessed against the background of progress towards the company’s strategic objectives. Barrett (2002) makes specific recommendations regarding how the effectiveness of employee communications during times of organizational change may be evaluated, giving an example of a survey instrument to assess perceptions of the current state of communication, suggestions for the development of ‘cascading workshops’ to spread the message of change throughout the organization, and methods of monitoring how well the mess age of change has spread and been internalized throughout the organization. The influence of Lewin’s (Evans, Ward, Rugaas, 2000) unfreezing – changing – refreezing model of change can be seen in Van der Waldt’s (2004) depiction of change communication as occurring in three phases. During the first phase of change, individuals within organizations face the loss of old ways of doing things, and should be supported in the initial phases of the change by communication that acknowledges this loss and that recognizes the difficulty that some individuals may have in letting go of the past. During the second phase of change, staff may face confusion and uncertainty as they  try to adopt the new way of doing things. Van der Waldt characterizes this as a ‘neutral zone’: a way-station between the old and the new, and notes that communication during this phase should recognize and attempt to assuage the isolation that may ensue from this confusion. The setting of short term, easily measurable and attainable goals will aid empl oyee morale during this time. The third phase of change occurs as staff begin to internalize the change and move forward, and communication at this time should be characterized by an acknowledgement of what individuals in the company have accomplished thus far and an understanding of the role the individual plays within the new system. A current topic in this area of research is the use of narrative techniques in communication about change. Organizational change is disruptive by nature, and involves the uprooting of old norms that have enabled a company to succeed (or at least survive) thus far, and the adoption of as-yet-untried practices (Denning, 2005). In order for the change to succeed, management and staff must voluntarily and enthusiastically severely disrupt their own established work habits and consent to move into the unknown. Stephen Denning, one of the champions of the use of narrative in change communication, argues that in these situations, the organization’s leaders must employ extraordinary communication techniques to achieve the level of buy-in necessary to make change work. The use of storytelling to bring reality and substance to a leader’s vision is one way in which change can be made real to management and staff. Denning (2006) describes eight different narrative techniques that can be employed in different stages of organizational change. An example of one of these techniques is the u se of ‘springboard stories’, which may be used to spark action and help muster enthusiasm for the change. Stories used in these situations should be simple and straightforward in content, the goal being to spark the listeners’ imaginations and to get them imagining stories of their own in reference to the change being introduced. Stories may also be used as devices to deflect or defuse rumors, and as preparation for the future after the change is implemented. The overall purpose of the narratives is to change the listener’s behavior in such a way that it is aligned with the leader’s objectives. Denning (2006) warns of the danger of becoming so involved with the crafting and telling of stories that the goal of the narrative is lost. Storytelling can also be a way to  get employees talking and thinking about what organizational change means to them and how change can be enacted. A small regional hospital in New Mexico employed an interactive narrative technique in which employees were presented with a role-playing scenario that likened the transformation of the hospital’s mission to an Indiana Jones-style journey that was titled ‘Raiders of the Lost Art’ (Adamson, Pine, Van Steenhoven, Kroupa, 2006). Within the structure of the game’s narrative, staff were presented with data regarding themselves, the community within which they worked, and their patients, and in this context were given scenarios about which they were encouraged to present ideas and feedback. By using this approach, hospital administrators were able to solicit employee feedback, involve staff in the development of strategic goals and objectives in support of the new mission, and gain buy-in by making employees a part of the change process. Change, communication, and information organizations Libraries and other information organizations are faced every day with the challenges that come from adapting to a rapidly changing external environment. Information organizations that are able to proactively incorporate change into their strategic planning will be in a better position to keep pace with the evolving demands of customers than organizations that merely struggle to catch up as change overwhelms them. Farley, Broady-Preston, Hayward (1998) identify four primary areas of change that affect academic libraries in particular: economics, technology, higher education, and organization. The rising costs of materials, combined with widespread reductions in funding, compounded by the additional financial burden imposed by the need to introduce new technologies, create an environment in which libraries must change in order to survive. The increasing sophistication of technological tools used by librarians has, in some larger institutions especially, created a need for staff reorganization to incorporate greater collaboration with technical support staff (Farley, et al., 1998). Given this environment, effective communication with staff regarding change is essential to the success of libraries and other information organizations. Horenstein found that communication with library staff about the implementation of change is also important in fostering high levels of job satisfaction amongst library staff (as cited in Farley, et  al., 1998). Yet, although there is a substantial body of literature dealing with change management in information organizations (Farley et al.), little has been written about the specific application of communication research to the needs of information organizations facing change. For instance, a literature review conducted in conjunction with a study described below (Chalmers, Liedtka, Bednar, 2006) uncovered no literature published specifically on library communications assessment since the 1980s. In a review for librarians of change management literature from the business world, Smith (2006) addresses communicating in times of change by developing a series of rules of effective communication drawn from the literature. One of these rules states that managers should recognize that not all organizations, and not all individuals within organizations, will react to change the same way, and that communications should be geared accordingly, echoing the above-described communication model that incorporates targeted messages (Barrett, 2002). Another of Smith’s rules emphasizes the importance of making communication about change a two-way process incorporating a variety of communication methods including written, verbal, large and small group meetings and one-on-one encounters, and formal and informal venues, applying Kotter’s (1995) message about incorporating change communication whenever there is opportunity to do so. Though Smith’s article is directed towards library professionals and, since it is published in the journal Library Management, is a useful vehicle for introducing concepts change communication research that librarians may not otherwise be exposed to, Smith does little more than review current literature and does not attempt to draw lessons from the literature to apply specifically to information organizations. On the other hand, Chalmers, et al. (2006) apply lessons from the literature of business communications to develop a survey that identifies the primary communication channels within the staff of a large academic library and assesses staff satisfaction with communication processes. They then provide recommendations based upon their experiences regarding how such an audit may be conducted in other similar organizations. The communications audit was conducted at California State University, Fullerton’s Pollak Library, in response to a perception of diminished morale and increased staff isolation in response to rapid changes in management  philosophy, staffing, and the introduction of new technologies. Library staff reported a relatively high rate (76%) of satisfaction with their level of informedness about changes within their own department, but indicated that they were less satisfied (46% satisfaction rate) with the degree to which they received information about the long range planning and goals of the library as a whole. Staff received their information both through formal library communications (newsletters, website, etc.; 80-98%) and informal channels (91%). Chalmers et al. describe how the survey instrument developed could be used to establish baseline data about intra-organization communication channels and identify areas of staff dissatisfaction with communication within the library . Future directions Although there is a significant body of work in the business management field that deals with effective intra-organizational communication in times of change, little of this work has been applied in a way that is specific to the needs of information organizations. Given that information organizations have been and are facing a period of rapid and intensive change, work that applies the change management lessons learned in the business world to the needs of libraries would be especially timely. In particular, case studies of information organizations that have implemented communication strategies and are monitoring the effectiveness of these strategies in facilitating change would be useful starting points for other information organizations facing change. In addition, the adaptation of existing theoretical models of intra-organizational communication to information organizations may provide a useful starting point for the development of communication strategies, goals, and objectives . In the greater body of business management literature regarding change communication, the primary focus of most research has been on top-down communication: methods by which leaders may effectively promote their vision amongst employees (Jones, Watson, Gardner, Gallois, 2004). Although several workers (Adamson, 2006; Chalmers et al. 2006; LeTourneau, 2004; Smith, 2006) emphasize the importance of feedback from employees to management, and communication between employees, there is little material that deals with methods to assess the importance of or to actively cultivate  these types of communications within an organization (Jones, et al., 2004). Additionally, communication and coordination between departments may become increasingly important during times of change; for instance, in libraries the introduction of new technology may necessitate greater collaboration between IT departments and reference, circulation, or other services. Further investigation into means of facilitating collaboration between formerly non-interacting departments during times of change would be a helpful addition to the current literature on this topic. References Adamson, G., Pine, J., Van Steenhoven, T., Kroupa, J. (2006). How storytelling can drive strategic change. Strategy and Leadership, 34(1), 36-41. Barrett, D. J. (2002). Change communication: Using strategic employee communication to facilitate major change. Corporate Communication: An International Journal, 7(4), 219-231. Chalmers, M., Liedtka, T., Bednar, C. (2006). A library communication audit for the twenty-first century. Portal: Libraries and the Academy, 6(2), 185-195. Denning, S. (2005). Transformational innovation: A journey by narrative. Strategy and Leadership, 33(3), 11-16. Denning, S. (2006). Effective storytelling: Strategic business narrative techniques. Strategy and Leadership, 34(1), 42-48. Evans, G. E., Ward, P. L., Rugaas, B. (2000). Management basics for information professionals. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. Farley, T., Broady-Preston, J., Hayward, T. (1998). Academic libraries, people, and change. Library Management, 19(4), 238-251. Ford, J., Ford , L. (1995). The role of conversations in producing intentional change in organizations. Academy of Management Review, 20(3), 541-570. Jones, E., Watson, B., Gardner, J., Gallois, C. (2004). Organization communication: Challenges for the new century. Journal of Communication, 54(4), 722-750. Kotter, J. P. (1995). Leading change: Why transformation efforts fail. Harvard Business Review, 73(2), 59 – 67. LeTourneau, B. (2004). Communicate for change. Journal of Healthcare Management, 49(6), 354-357. Smith, I. (2006). Communicating in times of change. Library Management, 27(1/2), 108-112. Van der Waldt, D. (2004). Towards corporate communication excellence in a changing environment. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 3, 134-143.

Cultural Differences in Midwifery Care

Cultural Differences in Midwifery Care Introduction The provision of holistic midwifery care is a fundamental role of the midwife (NMC, 2004). However, holistic care must encompass a wide range of practices, including care for the psychosocial and spiritual needs of the women and families within their caseload. One concept which arises within the general healthcare debate and within professional midwifery practice is the notion of cultural competence. This essay focuses on a critique of one article from the midwifery literature which addresses of the needs of one distinct religio-cultural group. Leishman (2004) demonstrates the complex nature of the provision of healthcare in a multi-cultural society. Inequalities exist in the provision of care to diverse ethnic and cultural groups (Salt, 1997). The article being critiqued addresses two issues – the provision of care to parents who have been bereaved, and specifically, the preferences, beliefs, behaviours and needs of one group of clients, those of the Muslim faith. It is publi shed in a midwifery journal and specifically deals with aspects of care which would come under the remit of the midwife within the UK, as specified by the NMC (2004). Discussion The title of the article is clear and simple, and defines the client group as religiously distinct (which also implies cultural distinction) and in a particular state of need due to bereavement. That the client group is defined as Islamic, however, does not take into account the different cultural and racial associations of those who practise Islam. A broad spectrum of cultures and races are associated with the Islamic, faith, suggesting that Islamic people are not a homogenous group. Conversely, it has also been argued that it is important to distinguish between culture (which has racial and religious overtones) and religion as a separate form of difference or identification (Eade, 1997). The failure of research on ethnic and racial or cultural lines to distinguish between religion and culture is notable (Eade, 1997), and it may be the intention of the authors of the critique article to ensure that the distinction is both clear and unequivocal. It may also be another example of the prioritisation of Islam over other social identities which is found so often in the literature (Eade, 1997). The authors further identify the group under consideration as those originating from migrants from the Indian Sub-Continent in the 1950s (Arshad et al, 2004). This group is limited to Asians (2nd and 3rd generation) originating directly or indirectly from this area (Arshad et al, 2004). Such a distinction may be important. Marks and Worboys (1997) discuss the fact that multiple meanings can be attached to the terminology surrounding discussions of culture and ethnicity, terms such as ‘migrant’ and also ‘minority.’ In order to attain cultural competence in the provision of healthcare, it is important to understand the distinctions between those terms utilised within the debate (Srivastava, 2007). Race is usually associated with biological, genetic and physical distinguishing characteristics (Srivastava, 2007). Ethnicity is associated with commonalities of birth, descent, kinship and cultural traditions (Srivastava, 2007). However, culture is harder to define, and includes racial, social, linguistic and other common patterns or characteristics within groups (Srivastava, 2007). This level of ambiguity within the debate does not help illuminate the current situation. By so clearly defining the focus of the client group in this article, the authors are claiming association with religious meaning (Islam) and racial and ethnic groupings (Asian, Indian Sub-Continent). They also support their focus with figures from the locality in question, thus establishing this group further as being of one predominant ethnic group, that of people of Pakistani origin (Arshad et al, 2004). This author can only question whether this adds to the understanding of the reader or further confuses the issue. The group are clearly defined, but what distinguishes them from other Muslims, or even from other ethnic groups from Asia, is not defined at all. Given the continued lack of understanding or awareness of cultural difference in the NHS in the UK (Le Var, 1998), further elucidating details might have been useful here. However, Cortis (2004) found that deficits exist in Registered Nurses knowledge about Pakistani patients in the United Kingdom, which might suggest that a greater understanding of this particularly group is necessary for all healthcare professionals. The Healthcare Commission (2006) found in their investigation of 10 maternal deaths in one hospital trust that women from minority ethnic groups are at higher risk of a pregnancy-related death. In this report, 9 out of the 10 women who died in the time period 2002 to 2005 were from minority ethnic groups, and seven out of these were from Asia (Healthcare Commission, 2006). This would suggest that the maternity care provided to women from these ethnic groups needs to be explored, evaluated and improved. This perhaps relates to the continued drive towards cultural competence in the healthcare services (Srivastava, 2007). It also suggests that there is a need for more specific information and evidence regarding distinct sub-groups within the ethnic mix of clients of the NHS. This article provides information, but its status as a form of evidence could be somewhat questionable. This is a descriptive article containing practical details for the maternity care professional to be able to provide culturally or religiously competent care for Muslims who experience the loss or death of a baby or fetus. Callister (2005) describes descriptive literature in this field as literature which identifies cultural practices to increase understanding of how nurses can more effectively provide culturally competent care for specific racial/ethnic and/or cultural groups of women and children. Establishing the client group’s distinctions early on, however, does not achieve much more than also establishing the authority of the authors in the writing of such an article, as it contains some references, but not as many as would be expected in a research-based article. There is no critical review of the literature, and very little critique or discussion, but rather a presentation of the (assumedly) accepted facts that relate to care for the family and dead infant. As such, th is is useful and informative, but the critical reader cannot but be aware of the lack of reliable evidence. The authority of the authors must be trusted here. Cortis (2003) suggests that culture furnishes the beliefs and values that give individuals a sense of identity, self-worth and belonging, as well as providing rules and guidelines or standards for behaviour. If we believe that culture is something commonly understood by those who share it (Srivastava, 2007), then it could be that a common understanding of Pakistani emigrant Muslim culture exists between the authors of the article, to such an extent that they fail to illuminate certain perhaps important details that would inform the general reader. This is a significant issue in the light of the continued debate about the nature and importance of culture in how people engage with healthcare services and each other. Recent views on culture, although not discarding the importance of a persons cultural inheritance of ideas, values, behaviour and practices, also acknowledge that culture can be affected dynamically by social transformation, social conflicts, power relationships and migrati on (Cortis, 2003). Yet there is no notion of that here, perhaps because the authors are dealing with the strictures of faith rather than culture. There is some statistical evidence of the rates of pregnancy loss infant death in the locality in question, but again, this is poorly related to the rest of the article and seems perhaps a token gesture towards relevance and importance of the information. Also, these statistics refer to White British, Pakistani and Other (Ashard et al, 2004), without making any further distinctions. Without such distinctions, the reader can only understand part of the picture. The ‘Other’ group might also contain people of the Muslim faith, as might the White British group. Again, the authors could have included more critical discussion here of ethnic mix. Some readers might consider that, having identified the group in question, the authors have gone far enough in setting the context of the paper. However, this author also feels that there is a degree of ambiguity in the presentation of this article. By distinguishing the client group to such a degree, it could be assumed that the customs, rites and beliefs referred to in the article are peculiar to this particular ethnic group who subscribe to the Muslim faith. However, it could also be that readers would assume that because the terms used in the article are more general, referring to Muslims as a religious group rather than making ethnic distinctions, these are guidelines to be applied to all Muslims. This ambiguity does not assist the reader in understanding how best to apply this information. Similarly, there is no real acknowledgement of the issue and dangers of stereotyping. Stereotyping has been described as a limiting and intellectually crude way of seeming to understand individuals (Schott and Henley, 1996). There is a tendency for people to stereotype those in groups that they do not belong to or know little about (Schott and Henley, 1996). Again, a critical reader could infer from this article that the authors have stereotyped the client group in question as being similar to all other Muslims. However, the article does raise some other issues which may not be explicit, including the importance and behaviours of family and friends in Islam during such a challenging time (Arshad et al, 2004). There is a clear undertone here that all Muslims behave in this manner because of their common faith. The article is referenced correctly but not very well referenced. Conversely, Leishman (2004) carries out a literature review which highlights some of the more topical issues surrounding the notion of culture and the needs of distinct diverse groups within the healthcare system. One issue that Lieshman (2004) raises is the fact that there is a need not only for health professionals to be aware of other cultures and belief systems, but also to be aware of their own. Addressing this issue, of understanding one’s own reaction to the beliefs and practices of others, might be raised in this article when discussing the practices and behaviours that are associated with Muslim clients following the death of a baby. This would be a useful and relevant practice point for midwives and other healthcare professionals to consider. Another point raised by Lieshman’s (2004) literature review is the need to take into account the past and experiences of ethnic groups, particularly those who, for example, have entered this country as asylum seekers. Similar issues have been raised by other literature (Maternity Alliance, 2004). The group in the critique article are not asylum seekers, but their parents, grandparents, family and friends may be, and the experiences and shared realities may affect their relationship with healthcare services and professionals. Such a potential is highlighted by a report by the Maternity Alliance (Maternity Alliance, 2004). Discounting this issue leaves out the level of detail midwives may require to fully understand and respond to the needs of diverse ‘minority’ groups, perhaps even promoting stereotyping rather than combating it. Thus it can be seen that another author, utilising a more critical and academic approach to the topic, can provide more of a discursive u nderstanding of relevant issues. Similarly, Callister (2005) reviews the literature on cultural competence in the care of women and children, and draws conclusions about the nature of that literature. Through this detailed examination the author is able to define and suggest potential outcomes for clinical care, for education of the professionals who deliver that care and for nursing research to properly explore the most important issues (Callister, 2005). Again, this article misses important opportunities to link the issues of concern to the current literature and to opportunities to develop better practice through educational development and research. For example, Callister (2005) suggests that studies are needed exploring organisational and work environment issues to better promote cultural competence. Simply being conversant with the basics of Islamic beliefs and practices surrounding death is not enough to promote true sensitivity and individualised care. Cultural sensitivity has been described as the attitudes, values, beliefs and personal insight of healthcare providers (Doorenbos et al, 2005). Such sensitivity involves acknowledgement of personal heritage and beliefs, openness to otherness, and respect for the complex ways in which cultural issues influence every aspect of healthcare (Doorenbos et al, 2005). However, the Arshad et al, (2004) article does not deal with the challenges of promoting cultural sensitivity, not does it distinguish between the different kinds of knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to provide care for this client group in these circumstances. A thorough, critical literature review, especially perhaps of any research or case studies that might illuminate the issues, would have considerably enhanced the paper. Doorenbos et al (2005) highlight and discuss existing models of cultural competence within healthcare, and evaluate one of the models used to assess one cultural competence assessment instrument. Application of such models to the situations described by Arshad et al (2004) might also have enhanced the quality of their argument and elevated their paper into the realms of evidence for practice rather than information for practice. Doorenbos et al (2005) describe cultural competence of healthcare providers as being central to the healthcare system’s ability to provide access to and provision of high-quality healthcare services, and link it to the drive to reduce health disparities. Srivastava (2007) links cultural competence to respect, knowledge and skills, and the ability to use them effectively in cross-cultural care situations. Some discussion of cultural competence in the Arshad et al (2004) article might also have perhaps allowed a more critical awareness of the subject. The conclusions the authors draw are that individuals have unique responses to grief and loss, regardless of religious background or belief systems (Arshad et al, 2004). This is no innovative or surprising finding, but the fact that they make no other conclusions is surprising. They also conclude that the resulting distress is often overwhelming (Arshad et al, 2004), another generalisation which is not new and does not really add anything to the debate. These conclusions do not really relate to the rest of the article, which is chiefly concerned with describing the beliefs and practices of Muslim people around the death of a child (Arshad et al, 2004). They also highlight that health professionals may not feel properly equipped or be well enough informed to support families of different faiths at such a time (Arshad et al, 2004). This is a fact well established by a range of other literature within healthcare and within midwifery (Srivastava, 2007; Marks and Worboys, 1997; Schott and Henley, 1996). The recommendations which are given are similarly brief and somewhat vague. Arshad et al (2004) suggest that an insight into religious beliefs and practices can only be beneficial when delivering care in the field of loss and bereavement. This is a rather sweeping statement, because while they do take into account the need to avoid generalisation, they have in fact generalised throughout the article and failed to provide any critical evaluation or insight into, for example, the differences in culture, race, background and practices that may exist between people who nevertheless subscribe to Islam. However, this may be this author’s own ethnocentrism surfacing – it could be that the expression of Islamic faith is universal and changes little between ethnic, racial or cultural groups. This article might be simply stemming from such a simple fact. The Maternity Alliance (2004) found that serious inequalities still exist in the provision of maternity care to women from minority ethnic groups, especially women who were asylum seekers. There is a need for more investigation of the reasons why staff are still improperly equipped to provide the highest standard of individualised care free of bias, prejudice or stereotyping. There is also a need to investigate the reasons for continued inequalities in access to and experience of healthcare, and any possible links between the two. There are a number of implications for midwifery practice, though these are not as explicitly stated within the article as they could be. The main and most useful implication is the need to provide correct and sensitive care for Muslim clients when they experience pregnancy loss or the death of an infant. This article is ideal to use to inform midwives of this. Other implications for midwifery practice are inherent in the article, and include, for example, implications for the practicalities of care provision in often busy maternity units within the NHS. The placing of the body so that it is facing Mecca, for example, is an important consideration for midwives who are usually the professionals who prepare the body of an infant or fetus following death. Another consideration is the fact that the whole of the body including the placenta and umbilical cord, should be buried (Arshad et al, 2004). It would be easy for a midwife to cause significant distress to a family by following usual hospital protocol for disposal of placenta, membranes and cord. There may also be issues of health and safety to be considered in the storage and transport of these tissues. If a midwife was aware of these particular religious practices, she might be able to discuss them with the client at an appropriate time and ensure that all their needs are met. Cortis (2003) suggests that nurses should appreciate how the domains of culture need to be used for data collection to identify specific cultural needs. It is through this process that important domains health beliefs, communication, spirituality, death and dying distinguish the needs of patients (Cortis, 2003). Cultural assessment also offers midwives and other healthcare professionals the opportunity for identifying potential differences between theirs and their patients’ value systems (Cortis, 2003). Chenowethm et al (2006) describes the common clash between healthcare professional’s perceptions of the professional responsibility to deliver care in a particular way, and the patient’s view of how they wish to be cared for. Such clashes are somewhat inevitable, but if anything can help t o overcome them or minimise them, it can only be of benefit to the midwifery profession. Chenowethm et al (2006) suggest one way to ensure cultural sensitivity is to access community resources appropriate to the cultural or ethnic group under consideration. This issue, however is not explicitly addressed in the Arshad et al (2004) article. More general issues for midwifery are those which apply to the broader, clinical governance spectrum of the maternity services as part of the healthcare services. The Department of Health (2007) in its operating framework for 2007-08 lay out core principles for the provision of care in the NHS. These include individualised care, partnership working, respecting dignity, reducing inequality and providing access to all based on need (DOH, 2007). Such a vision is nothing new, but does once again remind midwives of the need to provide both culturally sensitive and appropriate services. The information in this article may contribute to the development of such services, but it is the opinion of this author that it is still inadequate in addressing the complexity of the issues. However, Arshad et al (2007) do not address a range of other issues which can be found in the literature. For example, Park et al (2007) state that recruitment and retention efforts for non-white midwives, regular edu cation for cultural competence of midwives, and provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate care for women from ethnic minorities should be considered in future provision of maternity services. Neile (1995) also pinpoints education as important in supporting midwives gain a realistic insight into how the needs of the multiracial community may be met. There appears to be a need for a comprehensive programme of multicultural education for all midwifery professionals (Neile, 1996), a view which is echoed by Campinha-Bacote (2006) and Brathwaite and Majumdar (2006). If the Arshad et al (2004) article more directly targeted itself at professional education, it might have greater impact on the improvement of services. The Arshad et al (2004) article was published in the British Journal of Midwifery, which claims to be the leading clinical journal for midwives (BJM, 2007). This is well known as the pre-eminent peer-reviewed Journal for midwives in the United Kingdom, and the editorial board contains a range of the most senior and well respected midwives and midwifery academics in the country (BJM, 2007). The article is available by subscription online and in print, and is available in most Universities and Trust libraries. Contents, discussions and abstracts can also be found online, making this very accessible. This would give the article a degree of weight and authority, and as the BJM has such a large distribution – national and international – this adds further authority to the article. The writers themselves appear well qualified to write an article on this topic, in that it is written by two Muslim chaplains (one of whom is an Imam) and one bereavement support midwife. Thus the reader would be more inclined to accept and use their assertions in practice. This may explain why such a respected, peer-reviewed journal has accepted an article which is not related to research or a literature review. The authors do not appear to have published in other peer-reviewed journals but have contributed to the development of Trust policies and publications locally (Bradford NHS Trust, 2007). The rationale for the article seems sound. Arshad et al (2004) suggest that supporting parents who are bereaved following pregnancy loss can be complicated by a lack of knowledge and understanding of specific spiritual needs, leaving professionals feeling helpless and families feeling dissatisfied. The purpose, therefore, of their article is to provide information to address this issue (Arshad et al, 2004). This proposal seems reasonable and even necessary, given the need for improved understanding, knowledge, awareness and attitudes highlighted by the literature (Srivastava, 2007; Marks and Worboys, 1997; Schott and Henley, 1996). Cortis (2004) highlights the fact that there is a continued need for research into multi-cultural aspects of care. Through one research study, Cortis (2004) also identifies the danger of ethnocentrism in the health services, suggesting that it may contribute to racism, as ethnocentric practice fails to recognize significant cultural differences and their importance for the people concerned. If this is true, then such an article, informative and descriptive in nature, may contribute to the quality of care by informing those with ethnocentric tendencies of important details relating to this client group. However, in the provision of individualised care, this article may not supply the level of critical detail that the truly client-centred midwife would need to fully enhance their practice in this area. They also claim that the rituals and beliefs of Islam in these circumstances are complex and may appear strange to the uninitiated (Arshad et al, 2004). Conclusion As has been demonstrated, this article provides a descriptive, factual picture of the beliefs, practices and behaviours that Muslims experiencing pregnancy loss or infant death might display. It is of some use to midwives in an informative manner, but also does not seem to address the complex and challenging nature of the provision of care to a range of clients whose only common factor may be their Islamic faith. It does not address the issue of evidence-based care, and fails to engage in any real critique of the evidence base, literature or debate which does exist around this topic. It also fails to highlight some key terms of the current debate, including notions of cultural competence and cultural sensitivity, to any great degree. There are a range of issues which could have been highlighted such as education, communication and immigration. However, any truly client-centred midwife can only conclude that the information itself is vital to the provision of midwifery care to such cl ients and it also serves to highlight the notion of the great differences that exist in responses to and behaviours around pregnancy bereavement within different racial, ethnic and religious groups in society. Any such article has a place in the drive to improve care standards and quality, and should be incorporated into client-centred care. References Arshad, M., Horsfall, A., Yasin, R. () ‘Pregnancy loss- the Islamic perspective.’ British Journal of Midwifery 12 (8) 481-484. Bradford NHS Trust (2007) www.meded.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx? Brathwaite, A.C. Majumdar, B. (2006) ‘Evaluation of a cultural competence educational programme.’ Journal of Advanced Nursing 53 (4) 470–479. British Journal of Midwifery (2007) http://www.britishjournalofmidwifery.com/ Accessed 6-5-07 Callister, L.C. () ‘What has the literature taught us about culturally competent care of women and children?’. Maternal Child Nursing 30 (6) 380-388. Campinha-Bacote, J. (2006) ‘Cultural competence in nursing curricula: how are we doing 20 years later?’ Journal of Nursing Education. 45(7) 243-4. Chenowethm, L., Jeony, H., Goff, M. Burke, C. (2006) ‘Cultural competency and nursing care: an Australian perspective. International Nursing Review 53 24-40. Cortis, J.D. (2004) ‘Meeting the needs of minority ethnic patients.’ Journal of Advanced Nursing . 48(1) 51-58. Cortis, J.D. (2003) ‘Managing societys difference and diversity’ Nursing Standard 18(14-15-16) 33-39. Dennis, S. (2004) ‘Transcultural nursing resources’ Nursing Standard 19(6) 25 Department of Health (2007) The NHS in England: the operating framework for 2007-08’ http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_064732 Dimond, B. (2002) ‘Race relations and the law.’ British Journal of Midwifery 10 (9) 580-583. Doorenbos, A.Z., Schim, S.M., Benkert, R. and Borse, N.N. (2005) ‘Psychometric Evaluation of the Cultural Competence Assessment Instrument Among Healthcare Providers.’ Nursing Research 54 (5) 324-331 Eade, J. (1997) ‘The power of the experts: the plurality of beliefs and practices concerning health and illness among Bangladeshis in contemporary Tower Hamlets, London.’ In: Marks, L. Worboys, M. (1997) Migrants, Minorities and Health: historical and contemporary studies London: Routledge. Healthcare Commission (2006) Investigation into 10 maternal deaths at, or following delivery at, Northwick Park Hospital, North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, between April 2002 and April 2005. www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/_db/_documents/Northwick_tagged.pdf -. Accessed 6-5-07. Le Var, R.M. (1998) ‘Improving educational preparation for transcultural health care.’ Nurse Education Today. 18(7) 519-33 Lieshman, J. (2004) ‘Perspectives of cultural competence in health care. Nurisng Stanard. 19 (11) 33-38. Marks, L. Worboys, M. (1997) Migrants, Minorities and Health: historical and contemporary studies London: Routledge. Neale, E. (1996) ‘Investigating midwifery education in a multiracial and multicultural society.’ In: The art and science of midwifery gives birth to a better future. Proceedings of the International Confederation of Midwives 24th Triennial Congress, 26-31 May 1996, Oslo. London: International Confederation of Midwives. 1996, pp 171-175. Neale, E. (1995) ‘The maternity needs of the Chinese community.’ Nursing Times 1 (4) 34-35. Papadopoulos, I., Tilki, M. and Lees, S. (2004) Promoting cultural competence in healthcare through a research-based intervention in the UK. Diversity in Health Social Care. 1(2). Park, J-H., Vincent, D. and Hastings-Tolsma, M. (2007) ‘Disparity in prenatal care among women of colour in the USA.’ Midwifery 23 (1) 28-37. Salt, K. (1996) ‘African-American midwifery: past, present and future.’ Midwifery Today 38 25-27. Schott, J. Henley, A. (1996) Culture, Religion and Childbearing in a Multiracial Society: A handbook for health professionals Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Srivastava, R.H. (2007) The Healthcare Professional’s Guide to Clinical Cultural competence Toronto: Mosby Elsevier. Weller, P., Feldman, A. and Purdam, K. (2001) Religious Discrimination in England and Wales: Home office Research Study 220. London: Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate.

Industrial Change in Britain :: European Europe History

Industrial Change in Britain Industrial Change in Britain:'There was frequent and widespread discontent' How accurate is this statement? The Industrial Revolution is a term describing the many changes that transformed Great Britain from approximately 1760 and 1830. The main feature was the change to the factory system that depended on power driven machinery instead of manpower and the rapid growth of the cotton industry. The Industrial Revolution occurred because the scientists and inventors used their imaginations to develop new products and to exploit the opportunities of booming markets. Examples of this occurred in the textile, pottery and iron industries. The development of mining, particularly of the widespread use of coal, road improvements due to the road tolls, the building of canals, the growth of coastal shipping and the later rise of the railways were all crucial in the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain meant that the country could import cotton, woollen goods, iron and steel, machinery, hardware and coal on a huge scale. Other countries were not so industrialised therefore Great Britain had a strong advantage over them. Factory owners were able to move their products around the country more quickly, more cheaply and with greater safety than previously. For example, Britain's main fuel was coal. As the towns grew they needed more coal. The coal was heavy and difficult to transport by road. During this time many canals were built and soon a canal network made transporting coal, merchandise and communicating a lot easier. During the Industrial Revolution, the cotton industry rapidly increased with the invention of an improved spinning wheel powered by water. These machines were quickly mass-produced for factory use. Factories could be built in the towns and employ many workers. The cotton industry saw rapid growth and needed many workers to keep it going. The increase in factories and employment meant that there was a huge amount of work to do. Many children obtained work in the factories instead of attending school. Before the Industrial Revolution, families worked hard but could also rest when they could not work. In the factories, children and adults alike were expected to work very long hours and hardly ever had free time at home. In some cases, children worked from 3am to 10pm. Children could easily be trained to work in the textile industries because it was made up of simple tasks. Sunday was a day of rest, yet in some factories, the children had to turn up for work to clean the machinery.

My Hardest English Teacher Essay -- narrative, descriptive

I always thought that I was a talented writer. By writing, I mean conveying my thoughts or ideas in ways that people found interesting and fun. Writing came easy to me, and I could write pages of original ideas and thoughts in a matter of minutes. It was fun and easy - not something I had to work hard at. That was until I entered into the tenth grade. That year in Honors AP English, my whole writing style was turned upside down. We were no longer writing the "In my opinion." or "I think." papers. We were writing critical and analytical essays. We actually had to prove and support our ideas - something totally new to me. Of course, with my writing "expertise," I thought this would be no problem at all. That year, everything changed, and six years later, I still use the techniques that I learned in that class. In classes prior to this, teachers had always stressed the ideas of pre-writing, drafts, and editing. But because writing always came so easy to me and I excelled at it, these were just practices I completed to humor the teacher. I had no use for them. They didn't seem to have any effect on my writing at all. However, that changed when I entered the tenth grade class. The teacher of the class was the department head, Mrs. K. We called her "the K'ster." She was a fairly short, roly-poly woman - the kind that are supposed to be so nice and call you "sweetie" and "dear." But she didn't. She wasn't mean, but she didn't take excuses, and that was made very clear to us early on. If we didn't work in her Honors AP class, we could kiss our seat goodbye. According to her, there was a list of people just waiting to get into the class. The K'ster always carried around a water bottle. Every time she spoke, she would get two words ou... ...writing assignment." This feeling has stuck with me for years. However, now I can whip off a theoretical paper in no time flat! In fact, I have fine-tuned my system so well that, depending on the assignment, I can sometimes skip writing down my brainstorming, and just think about the ideas for a couple of days until they blossom. As much as I didn't like the K'ster, she forced me to deal with a new type of writing with which I had a very difficult time. Because of her, I now have a system of writing that works for me, and can be applied to almost any type of analytical assignment that can be given. However, I have the opposite problem now. I can write analytical and theoretical essays very easily, but writing creatively is difficult. I'm out of practice. I don't know where to start.I don't feel good about the ideas.The same excuses I had when I started tenth grade.

Pros of Lowering Drinking Age Outline

Affirmative side for Lowering Legal Drinking Age (OUTLINE) 1) Human rights. * Individuals who are legally allowed to vote and get married, sign legal contracts, smoke cigarettes, can be responsible when it comes to drinking alcohol as well. Turning 18 allows one to make their own decisions in life. * Evidence #1: â€Å"National Youth Rights Association does not feel this is an issue primarily about alcohol; rather it is an issue about equality, respect, discrimination and freedom.Americans of all ages, races, genders, and ethnicities deserve equal respect, and they deserve the right to make their own choices in life. † 2) Drink safely in regulated environments * Prohibiting this age group from drinking in bars, restaurants, and other licensed locations causes them to drink in unsupervised places such as house parties where they may be more prone to binge drinking and other unsafe behavior. * Evidence #1: â€Å"Among college students, a decade’s worth of research in the College Alcohol Study found the proportion of students engaging in frequent binge drinking had increased.Compared to 1993, more 18- 24 year students who chose to drink in 2001 were drinking excessively- as defined by frequency of drinking occasions, frequency of drunkenness, and drinking to get drunk. † * Evidence #2: â€Å"College students experienced a nearly 10 percent increase in the rate of drinking to get drunk between 1993 and 2001, which corresponded to an increase in secondary consequences and treatment for alcohol overdose. * Evidence #3: â€Å" National estimates suggest that among full-time college students, 690,000 are involved in assaults, 97,000 are involved in rapes, and 599,000 are injured as a result of alcohol† 3) Ineffective * Evidence #1 (Prohibition did not work then): â€Å"In 1920, alcoholic beverages were banned in the United States. However, the government had created a huge black market for the intoxicating substance by encouraging the drin kers to switch to spirits. It is believed widely to have been a misguided and failed social experiment that made alcohol problems worse. † Evidence #2 (Prohibition did not work now): â€Å"95% of those who will be alcohol consumers in their lifetime take their first drink before age 21† * Evidence #3(Prohibition did not work now): â€Å"50% of 18-20 year olds consume alcohol regularly† * Evidence #4(Prohibition did not work now): â€Å"75% of high school seniors, 60% of sophomores and 40% of eight graders have consumed alcohol† * Evidence #5(Prohibition did not work now): â€Å" 5,000 lives were lost each year by those under the age of 21. Of these, fewer than 40% are traffic fatalities. The vast majority- over 60%- of alcohol-related fatalities take place off roadways†