Replies FOR 1 HOUR WRITER

Replies
2 replies: · Sufficient word count (minimum 300 words)	5
Major points are supported by the following: · At least 1 scripture reference and 1 scholarly source plus the text. · Good examples (pertinent, conceptual, or personal, examples are acceptable). · Thoughtful analysis (considering assumptions, analyzing implications, comparing/contrasting concepts).	5
Appropriate “netiquette” manners (For example, no name calling or labeling another student’s idea a derogatory term, such as “stupid,” “dumb” even when disagreeing—See Student Expectations ).	2.5
Brings clarity to issues being discussed relating issues to Scripture/biblical principles and experience.	5
Spelling & grammar	2.5
Total	50

Each Reply Needs to be at least 300 words.

Reply #1

Tiffany,

Violence in the Workplace

            Violence includes both verbal and physical threat and harm toward another individual or group of individuals.  Unfortunately, in today’s society violence is becoming more prevalent in the workplace.  Mathis, Jackson & Valentine (2014, p. 508) provide the following examples of workplace violence: physical assault, threats, harassment, intimidation and bullying.  According to the United States Department of Labor, there are approximately two million victims of non-fatal workplace violence, in the U.S. each year (DOL Workplace Violence, 2014).

            Sexual Harassment is one of the most common types of workplace violence (Heibutzki, n.d.).  Women are often the main victims of this type of violence.  In fact, a poll by ABC News/Washington claimed that one in four American women have been sexually harassed at work (Henderson, 2011).  Sexual harassment includes requesting sexual favors, unwelcome advances and verbal or physical inappropriate sexual conduct (Heibutzki, n.d.).  This type of behavior is not tolerable and should come with severe consequences.  Women should be able to come to work and feel safe.  Instead, sexual harassment creates a toxic, unwelcoming, uncomfortable and often scary environment for its victims.  Henderson also discusses how women are judged by how they react to certain situations.  Henderson (2011) states, “Smart girls can handle their own problems.  Fun girls know how to take a joke.  Complaining gets you branded a trouble maker.”  This idea is giving off the wrong message to everyone in the workplace.  Men and women alike should both be able to report any inappropriate workplace violence, such as sexual harassment, and be taken seriously rather than being described as a complainer or troublemaker. 

            There are many ways in which victims and employers may work to resolve sexual harassment in the workplace.  First and foremost, a victim must make it known to the harasser that the situation and behavior is inappropriate and is causing him or her to become uncomfortable (Johnson, n.d.).   If the behavior continues, the victim must inform his or her supervisor immediately.  It would be appropriate for a meeting between the victim and the Human Resource Manager to be set up following the repeat occurrence of sexual harassment.  At this point, the individual was previously informed that his or her behavior made another employee uncomfortable, therefore disciplinary actions must be taken.  While everyone deserves a fair chance to explain their version of the story, sexual harassment cannot be tolerated in the workplace.  If the circumstances are severe enough, a lawsuit may be filed by the victim (Johnson, n.d.).  The Equal Employment Opportunity Act Commission (EEOC) protects the rights of employees in sexual harassment cases (Johnson, n.d.). 

            Workplace violence of all types cannot be taken lightly.  It is essential that employees feel confident in their safety and wellbeing while at work.  In order to establish a sexual harassment free work environment, employees should receive training and seminars that explain what is considered to be sexual harassment.  This is important because what offends one person may not seem offensive to another person.  If a clear boundary is drawn and established by Human Resources, employees will know the extent to which this type of behavior may be taken.  All sexual harassment claims must be thoroughly investigated and the appropriate disciplinary actions must be taken.  This may include termination of employment for the harasser.  This will prevent further cases of sexual harassment in the future.  All employees must know that they are replaceable.  No one employee should be allowed to get away with this type of behavior without repercussions.

            Ephesians 5:4 (New International Version) discusses the fact that sexual harassment is not tolerable.  It states, “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”  Instead, employees should be uplifting one another.

 

References

DOL workplace violence program.  United States Department of Labor.  Retrieved from http://www.dol.gov/oasam/hrc/policies/dol-workplace-violence-program.htm

Heibutzki, R.  (n.d.)  Forms of workplace violence.  Houston Chronicle. Retrieved from http://work.chron.com/forms-workplace-violence-11555.html

Henderson, J. M., (2011).  Sexual harassment still happens.  So what?.  Forbes Magazine.  Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/jmaureenhenderson/2011/11/16/sexual-harassment-still-happens-so-what/2/

Johnson, R.  (n.d). Seven ways to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace.  Houston Chronicle.  Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/seven-ways-deal-sexual-harassment-workplace-18095.html

Mathis, R. L., Jackson, J. H., Valentine, S. (2014).  Human Resource Management (14 ed., pp. 508) Stamford: Cengage Learning.

Reply #2

Lindsay,

Security in the workplace is very important to have, especially when we are constantly hearing about workplace violence. I feel like no matter where you work you should have security, and I feel like the security guards should be able to do what they need to do to keep the place safe for everyone.  I used to work security for my community college, it was a very serious job. I never had to deal with anything too terrible but I know how in an instant that can all change.  I asked the Director of Public Safety/Police Chief for my local community college what he would say the main types of workplace violence would be, he gave me three, disgruntled employee who believes a supervisor or manager has treated them unfairly or terminated them without just cause, domestic violence that has moved from the privacy of home to the workplace, and severe psychological dysfunction that manifests itself as significant paranoia that escalates to feeling of persecution of threat prompting a violent reaction. 

Of the three that he gave me I would have to say the one that I am most familiar with would be the disgruntled employee. I used to work for an Academy, and one of the employees got let go because of some issues. Well, this particular employee was yelling and carrying on when she left there, that when she came back up to the Academy, you could feel how intense the atmosphere in the building was, we did not know what the person may or may not do or how they would react to something being said to them. It was a hard situation to be in, but we also had a disgruntled boss, that person was never happy did not matter what you did they were always pissed about something.  Within the last year or so there was a story on the news about an employee who was fired, and later showed up and killed people where they were employed.  I believe if workplaces have highly skilled and trained security officers who really enjoy what they do, then maybe some of the violence could be cut down.  Like I said I used to work for security at my community college, and I can tell you from experience not all of the security guards took their job seriously, most of them just thought of it as a paycheck and did not care what happened around them. “About 70% of workplace fatalities involve attacks against workers such as police officers, taxi drivers, and convenience store clerks” (Mathis & Jackson, page 482).  Being a police officer has got to be one of the hardest jobs around, I am truly amazed by how many people are police officers. I would not like going to work every day not knowing if I was going to get to go home to my family at the end of my shift.  I realize that not all workplace violence happens from an employee. “Almost 80% of workplace killings occur when a stranger comes on the premises” (Mathis & Jackson, page 482).  I believe it is important if your job site has security for them to have more than one security guard working every shift, this way if something happens you are not trying to handle the situation all by yourself. Plus it will give you backup as to what happened, and when and where and all of that. 

Psalm 4:8 says, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety”.  That particular scripture reference stuck out to me because I believe no matter how alone we feel we are we are not really truly alone.  God is always with us no matter what kind of a situation we are in, even if it is a good one he is there to protect us.  Another scripture reference that I found to be interesting to me would be from Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”.  Again, that scripture reference reminds us once again that God is always on our sides no matter where we go.  I believe it is important to remember that no matter what happens God is there for us. 

References

Mathis, R., & Jackson, J. (2006). Human Resource Management (11th ed., p. 482). Thompson South-Western.

   Smith, S. (2014, November 4). What does the Bible say about safety. Retrieved November 10, 2014.

 

Reply #3

Sydney,

 The texting advertisement on page 78 of the Prentice Hall Reference Guide uses several techniques to emphasize the peril created through texting while driving by applying forceful text styles, strategically arranging text, creating shift in focal points, and emphasizing the image's importance through size. First, the creators of the advertisement utilize strong, emphatic text type to catch the viewer's eye, jutting their opinion into the mind of the viewer. The text also implies urgency and invokes a sense of danger if ignored. Secondly, the advertisers strategically place the text in front of the driver's face to illustrate that one is diverted from driving and blind to outside circumstances while texting. The driver is distracted from the situations surrounding him, making him more liable to incompetent driving. Also, since the text blocks what would normally be the focal point--the driver's face--of the picture, the cell phone consequently replaces the center of attention, emphasizing the driver's devotion to the cell phone over situational awareness. The advertisement seeks to invoke a sense of carelessness in the driver, unaware of others around him, selfishly placing his phone above the well-being of other humans. In addition, the illustration encompasses two-thirds of the poster, accentuating the superiority of the poster's message over the website information below the image. Although the designers of this advertisement desire to promote their cause through their website and other social media outlets, the advertisers' aim in this instance is to promote their stance in a short, arresting, and emphatic way. As one can see, the texting advertisement discussed above utilizes productive, visual strategies to accentuate the dangers of texting while driving.