Ethics and whistleblowing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Ethics and whistleblowing - Essay Example Introduction ‘Whistleblowing’ basically refers to make any kind of disclosure in the general interest of public. The term is more commonly referred as ‘blowing the whistle’. If the employee working in any organisation feels that there is wrongdoing in their workplace, then they can report this to the management by following the correct processes. By doing so, their employment rights can be protected. It is worth mentioning that the whistleblowers are shielded for the public interest in order to encourage the people to speak out if they feel that any kind of malpractice is going on in the organisation (DirectGov 2011). The statistics published in public interest reveals that the people’s attitude towards the whistle blowing has improved to a great extent. The survey conducted by ‘Public Concern at Work’ in the year 2007 indicated that 85% of the people informed that they would raise a concern with regards to the malpractices that is taking place with the employers. It was further made evident that 31% of the people would go to the regulatory bodies or to the police if the ‘internal route’ was not considered as the option (Public Concern at Work n.d.). Growing awareness of employee rights, Public Interest Disclosure Act (1998), Health and Safety Executive, PR practices, CSR and Internal Codes of Practices have resulted in improving the condition for whistleblowing. UNISON, a public service union collaborated with Public Concern at Work in order to conduct survey to ask 2000 NHS staffs if whistleblowing was working or not. It was found that around 90% of them had blown the whistle at times when they were concerned about patient safety. 50% were not aware of the fact that their ‘Trust’ had a whistleblowing policy. 33% revealed that their ‘Trust’ wanted to blow the whistle despite being aware of the fact that it would result to bad publicity. 30% revealed that their ‘Trustâ₠¬â„¢ didn’t want them to be told that there was a severe problem while 25% said that the culture was improving (Public Concern at Work n.d.). This statistics can be shown graphically with the help of the chart below: Source: (Public Concern at Work n.d.). Source: (Public Concern at Work n.d.). Other Statistics on Whistleblowing Source: (NWC 2008). The figure that is demonstrated above depicts the companies that report operating a whistleblowing system and the percentage of those companies that consider it to be effective (NWC 2008). It has been found from the report that approximately 5678 cases of whistleblowing were received in the fiscal year 2009, which was up by nearly 2000 over the prior fiscal year (Worldwide ERC 2011). The major aim of this study is to evaluate how the organisations can develop an effective approach to the workplace whistleblowing taking into account the needs of its stakeholders. Research Question The main objective of the research is to evaluate how the organisation can develop an effective approach to workplace whistleblowing that takes into account of the needs of their stakeholders. Therefore, the whole assignment

The Evolution of the Graphic Industry Essay Example for Free

The Evolution of the Graphic Industry Essay The development and continuous improvement of technology has incessantly provided new professional fields that emerged to cater to the intensification brought about by the web explosion and digital breakthroughs in the industry. The creative spectrum in the graphic industry has open doors to a large number of occupations which careers may in some way or another extend beyond one particular expertise. Visual communication is the medium used by the artists to provide people the distinction between graphic design, fine art and even advertising art. Different industries that make use of visual tools most of the time utilize almost the same theories, principles, practices, languages and even elements in delivering their client’s needs. The book â€Å"A history of graphic design† conveys that the industry’s main essence is to provide arrangement to information, form to designs, feelings and expressions to a work of art which primary output is the documentation of human experience (Meggs, 1983). The graphic industry’s professional fields have high-racketed immensely that make way to the diversity of graphic designing jobs. The workforce in the graphic design business which holds the management related roles are creative directors, art directors and art production managers. Hands-on designers in the fields are logo designers, brand identity developers, visual image developers, illustrators, content developers, multimedia developer, visual journalists and layout artists. The web explosion and advancement opened its doors to interface layout artists and web designers usually employed by web development companies. Web design may entail collaboration of graphic designers and software engineers. Programmers are also in demand in the field of web development to provide their expertise in doing advance coding. Web masters are positions that specialize in both programming and web design. While traditional graphic design and interactive design both adhere to provide better physical facade, the two have distinguished characteristics from the other. At all times, traditional graphic design’s main purpose is to carry out an attractive application of an object. It is relatively eye-catching and bold. The layout of this kind of design deals primarily with the style treatment and array of a print’s content. The interactive design on the other hand, is mainly the design used in appliances, machines, CD software applications, mobile communications, computers and even websites which focus intensively on the user interaction and experience. It aims to proficiently deliver to a user an interaction that is both efficient and simple. Interactive design is also referred to as user-centered design. Traditional graphic design is utilized to please the eyes of each and every observer. It is highly used in logo design whereas it uses a process of sketching through thumbnails and rough drafts prior to hybrid process (Gregory 48). Interactive design process balances the visual elements with regards to the operational mode and the functionality of the system to make it usable and make it easily adjust to the user’s changing requirements and needs. Interactive design is widely used in the web. Web page designs give the internet users an active role in accessing what they need online. The more user-friendly a site is the more it is visited. The interactive design reflects lucid pathways to the information, products and tools a user necessitates. Design is fundamental to the success of most services and products released by a company. Both the graphic and the interactive design of a product and affect the consumer experience which directly and enormously affects the business success or failure. The profound impact of design is apparent as dictated by the developments in technology. Works Cited Gregory Thomas, How to Design Logos, Symbols and Icons: 24 Internationally Renowned Studios Reveal How They Develop Trademarks for Print and New Media, April 2003, pp:48 Meggs, Philip B. , A history of graphic design. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1983

Dr. Harold Glucksberg vs. The State of Washington Essay example -- Eut

Dr. Harold Glucksberg vs. The State of Washington 'Choosing death before dishonor is seen by some philosophers and ethicists as a rational reason to commit suicide.' In the 1994 case of Glucksberg v. Washington (Otherwise acknowledged as Compassion In Dying v. The State Of Washington), Harold Glucksberg, alongside the right-to-die organization Compassion In Dying, filed a suit in opposition to the state of Washington for three fatally ill patients he treated. Dr. Glucksberg and 'Compassion in Dying' set their case saying that the ban against doctor-assisted suicide was violating the right patients right of due process and placed an unjustified burden on terminally ill patients who required help to stop suffering misery from the disease that plagued their body and/or mind. While the case was in the state of Washington, it was seen in the plaintiff's favor: Dr. Harold Glucksberg and Compassion In Dying. Because of this the state laws changed in support of doctor-assisted suicide. The state of Washington still opposed the idea of this so they ordered an appeal. By 1997 the case, along with another case, (Quill v. Vacco), reached the Supreme Court. The decision in the Supreme Court did not, however, meet up to the original case. The defense won the trial. The case had a many important questions to it. In one question: is physician-assisted suicide morally, ethically, legally correct, and/or fair to anyone? Ethically Correct? ?One ought not to commit an act ...

Prosecuting Cyber Bullying

Technology is frequently being used to display personal Information on social networking sites for everyone In the world to see. With this Instantaneous technology, the school bully has access to an easier, more harmful, and anonymous way to intimidate their victim. Cyber bullying has become a form of harassment that is creating a myriad of problems for teenagers and, therefore, needs to be dealt with properly.The sense of anonymity and the ability to disguise ones identity online increases Weber bullying activity by â€Å"making fun of, telling lies, spreading rumors, threats and sharing private Information or pictures [online]† (Lulls lines 31-32). In spite of the recent technological advancements, problems with bullying has existed for generations. At the click of a button, the threatening information that can be posted online can be seen throughout the world for anyone to see.Because more people have access to someone's private or embarrassing information, â€Å"an increa sed audience can often lead to more harmful bullying Incidents† (Macaque 27). Cyber lulling can be committed any where and at any time, therefore â€Å"the cyber bullies may not fully understand the Impact of their behavior on their victims† (Lulls line 9). Cyber bullying can negatively affect an individual and even lead to depression and thoughts of suicide. There are many well known stories of teenagers compelled to desperate, even suicidal acts after having been exposed to recurrent harassment by others online.For Instance, the devastating and well-known case off 13-year-old girl named Megan Meier, committed seclude allegedly due to cyber bullying (Macaque 141 After coming friends with a boy she met online, Megan, who had a lifelong struggle with weight and self-esteem, finally met a boy she thought she could trust. After weeks of friendly conversations online Megan was eager to strengthen their relationship by finally meeting each other in person. Flirtatious messag es from her online boyfriend â€Å"Josh† suddenly turned into disturbing and confusing remarks such as â€Å"the world would be a better place without you† (Macaque 16). Josh† even began to post spiteful comments on his site about Megan. Megan committed seclude to escape the main and humiliation she was put through (â€Å"Social Networking Web Sites† 3). Investigators soon discovered that the profile of â€Å"Josh Evans† was created by a 48- year-old woman named Lori Drew. Loris's intentions were to tease and embarrass Megan, her next door neighbor and a former friend of Loris's 13-year-old daughter (Macaque 28). This case brought national attention to the dire consequences of cyber bullying. The community was outraged and demanded charges to be brought against this mother.Lori went to court but was never convicted because there was no law against cyber bullying. Another instance of the horrific effects of cyber bullying is portrayed in the tragic s tory of 18-year-old Tyler Clementine. Tyler started his freshman year with a big future ahead of him and a great outlook on life. Invading Teller's privacy, his college roommate streamed private footage online from a WebMD that he held In their dorm (â€Å"Key Events in the History of Prosecuting Cybernetics† 8). Comments about his sexuality flooded through his inbox that night.Days after the video went viral, Tyler could not handle the embarrassment and committed suicide by â€Å"Jumping off of the George Washington Bridge† (â€Å"Prosecuting Cybernetics† par. 1). These are two highly publicized and tragic cases resulting from abuse online. There are thousands of other people that are being threatened and bullied through technology every day and no one knows about it. There is nothing positive that results from bullying, but some people still believe that cyber bullies should not be prosecuted because it is not a crime.Critics say that cyber bullying is not an issue that should have legal attention, â€Å"but a dilemma best solved by schools and parents† (â€Å"Prosecuting Cybernetics† par. 2). Many school districts throughout the country are attempting to educate their students about online safety and protection. In order to solve the problem of cyber bullying, the critics believe that schools should concentrate on â€Å"spreading messages of tolerance and civility to all young people† (â€Å"Prosecuting Cybernetics† par. 2). Another point that critics stress is that prosecuting cyber bullies violates â€Å"the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech† (Hayward 21).Opponents to the prosecution of cyber bullies need to take into account the innocent people that are being terrorized online ND their rights to protect themselves. Supporters of the prosecution of these online abusers agree that cyber bullying leads to many emotional problems for the victims. Cyber bullies purposely â€Å"target their vict ims, revealing personal information on the Internet or harassing them through frequent or threatening messages† (â€Å"Prosecuting Cybernetics† par. 16). More often than not, school administrators and parents fail to identify and stop cyber bullying before it is too late.Prosecutors need to take action in order to protect students online. Students are apprehensive to tell an adult about abuse online because they fear the bullying will only get worse. Victims feel that they are on their own in the endless abuse and â€Å"allegedly saw no choice for escape except to kill themselves† (Lulls 22). Historically, a person repeatedly bullied is not only a danger to themselves, but may even have the urge to harm others. For example, in the article â€Å"Prosecuting Cybernetics†, research has determined that â€Å"perpetrators of school violence?such as the two students who went on a shooting rampage at ColumbineHigh School in Colorado in 1999?often have a history of both bullying and being bullied themselves† (par. 31). Even though the cyber bully is not physically shoving the victim around, they are still able to instill a sense of fear and hopelessness in their victims. In order to punish cyber bullies for their conduct, new, up-to-date laws need to be passed for the protection of the innocent victim. With technology being the most popular form of communication, it is important to establish a law to â€Å"deter future bullying with a legal means to punish those who cause harm†.

Communication Crisis Essay

Communication and Crisis Many of us know about the devastating hurricane Katrina that took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2005, but how many of us actually thought about the communication issues. From the writing of James L Garnett and Alexander Kouzmin,† Hurricane Katrina was as much a communication disaster as it was a natural and bureaucratic disaster. Communication gaps, missed signals, information technology failures, administrative buï ¬â‚¬ering, turf battles, and deliberate and unintentional misinterpretations delayed and handicapped both the recognition of the crisis that Katrina posed and the response to its devastation.† If Americans actually stop and think about it, not only was the media trying to communicate with America on what was happening but also trying to get word out to the people which were affected. Advantages of the communication from the media to some extent helped to obtain as much information and photos to public to help everyone understand what was taken place. To the local community communication challenges took place because Mother Nature does not care about keeping today’s technology in working conditions. Once the power goes down what is the point of technology for citizens in the middle of the disaster area, they cannot receive information on where to go, if help is on the way. Because of Mother Nature’s way of approaching upon so many areas in the United States and around the world each community should start disaster programs to teach each person on survival, there are so many ways to communicate with community in learning techniques. Town meeting is one way to start, give demonstrations on how to take cover from Tornados, Fires and, of course Hurricanes. Most of us were taught in school the basic safety procedures during storms. Common knowledge during a tornado is to take cover in the lowest point of the home such as a basement or if no basement is accessible, then to remove yourself from any windows and doors because of the suction that comes with the storm. During fires go to the nearest exit and go as far away from the fire so no one gets burned or if fire does contact a person to stop drop and roll until the fire is out, in a hurricane tape up all windows in a x shape to keep the winds from scattering glass all over, if he or she lives near water, place sands bags along the shore line to help rising water. All these things can save lives but does everyone know what to do if there is no available hospital’s near because they too were caught in the damage. This is where local doctors, firefighters and police need to communicate their training with the public, as previously said by demonstrations, brochures, feeling the emotions of concerned population in their area. Offering radios that not only work by batteries but can wind up receiving power so the information can get to the area that has been affected. Education on how to make a reserve area in the home or even in a safe and secure place outside of the home of survival materi als such as water, food, clothing the essentials that humans need to live daily. Training on how to contact and find loved ones, and to cope with devastation. As individuals with training on survival we still depend on the doctors and nurses that are available to take charge and because of their years of training they will, but in an area were a natural disaster has taken place technology will not be able to help. All hospitals have back up power but even then that does not last. During hurricane Sandy the New York, NYU Langone Medical Center’s learned this lesson, after the emergency generators turned on within two hours 90 percent of the power was drained. ( Roney, Kathleen) This particular tragedy had the health care industry trying to come up with ways to save and recover data on each patient, and improve back up power to allow the hospitals and equipment to keep functioning. According to the article 4 Tips to Strengthen Hospital Data and Recovery Plans for Natural Disasters the four ideas they have come up with to help the Health Care are 1. Validate third-party data recovery services, 2. Backup data in a safe-place offsite, 3. If possible, prepare and practice with paper-based options, 4. Validate your backup power. ( Roney, Kathleen) In closing no matter how widely the information that comes from the media is right or wrong during a natural disaster, any information giving to the public is better than silence. Many may complain after all is said and done on how not all the information was correct but enough was, it helps the loved ones watching because that may be the only communication available. The more our community offers in knowledge through all stages of communication the better each and every one will be prepared. It is said to say but with all the modern day technology that we depend on it takes Americans to get shook up a little to see that even the new evolving world still needs solutions. References Garnett, J. L., & Kouzmin, A. (December,2007). Communicating throughout Katrina: Competing and Complementary Conceptual Lenses on Crisis Communication. Retrieved from http://www.glerl.noaa.gov Roney, K. (November 02,2012). 4 Tios to Strengthen Hospital Data Recovery Plans for Natural Disasters. Retrieved from http://www.beckerhospitalreview.com