Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Employee Retention and Interviewing Essay Example for Free

Employee Retention and Interviewing Essay When Southwest Airlines wants to hire employees, they tend to have 142,000 applicants. They obviously want to choose the person who will suit their organizational culture the best. To achieve this objective they need to ask the right questions when interviewing the applicants. These questions should be such that they provide a clear picture as to which applicant will be best for the job and the organization as a whole. You can use behavioral-based job interview questions to help you select superior candidates. Ask interview questions that help you identify whether the candidate has the behaviors, skills, and experience needed for the job you are filling. (Top job interview questions to help you select the Best, Susan M. Heathfield) Before starting the interview the interviewer should describe the essential functions of the job and ask the interviewee if he can perform those functions with or without accommodations. (http://www. alllaw. com/articles/employment/article13. asp) The first competency question should be related to the ability to recruit and interview applicants, ‘how often during your last job did you need to interview applicants and describe a situation in which the first impression of the applicant could have altered your judgment. ’ Through this question the interviewer may get an idea of the prejudices the person might or might not hold. Southwest Airlines need to make sure that their employees do not discriminate against certain races and are able to handle all sorts of situations hands on. The second question is related to the employee’s ability to perform reference checks on potential employees. ‘When a former employer was not willing to provide information about a potential employee, how did you handle the situation and perform the necessary reference check? ’ this question will help the Airlines figure out if the employee is responsible enough to go through the necessary procedure or would overlook some things and carry on. The third question is about the employee’s ability to plan and conduct regularly scheduled organizational orientation programs. Tell me about an incidence where last minute changes were made in the orientation plan, these changes were not known to you. How did you cope with these lat minute changes? ’ this question will help identify the employee’s capabilities in a chaotic situation. For airlines these situations are quite common and such a characteristic will be beneficial for the organization. The fourth question is connected with the employee’s ability to prepare and explain HR policies and procedures. ‘Tell me about a situation where there was a revision in the company policy and the employees did not take the change well. What did you do? This will help the employer or interviewer for Southwest Airlines find out the opinion of the employee about some policies and procedures that may be adopted by the company or already exist within the company. The fifth question is about the employee’s ability to develop and maintain up-to-date job descriptions. ‘How many job descriptions have you developed in your time as an employee here at Southwest and what were some of the major difficulties you faced while carrying out your work? ’ this question will help understand if the employee will be able to assess the applicant’s capabilities and send him to the department that suits him best. The sixth question for the employee should be based on his ability to administer a compensation program and monitor salary increase recommendations to ensure compliance with merit increase guidelines. The question here will be, ‘what is your view on performance appraisals, are they necessary or not, do they motivate employees to do better on the job? ’ This question will help understand what the employee’s are expecting and what benefits they want for the jobs they perform on a weekly or daily basis. By asking these questions from the existing employees, the top management at Southwest Airlines will know the sort of employees who will be screened out from the 142,000 applicants. The number of employees they actually need is 4000, thus the company needs to be careful as to who they hire and retain. By interviewing the interviewers beforehand the organization is making sure they hire the right people. Also, when your interview questions ask the applicant to tell you about behaviors and actions she has actually demonstrated in the past, your selection process will improve.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Workplace Violence and How to Prevent it Essay -- Workplace Health and

Workplace Violence and How to Prevent it The Workplace is considered a second home for many people because a work shift may range 8 to 12 hours daily. Based on that fact alone it is important to feel safe, comfortable and content in the workplace. Despite the differences in the public and private sector the mission, goals and objectives of any organization can be similar. For example, productivity, cost effectiveness, efficiency, profit or goods/services and the safety within the establishment is equally important. Unfortunately, the challenges that face management are increasing rapidly and during the past 2 decades "Violence in the Workplace" has become an increased fear among employers and employees. Violence in the Workplace can be defined as" (1) any problem related to the workplace or away from the workplace if it relates to the job" http://www.state.il.us/isp/viowkplc/vwpp1.htm. Violent incidents that may occur on site and violence that occurs away from the job but is job related. Types of job related violence away f rom the job may include telephone harassment, stalking and confrontations. Violence in the workplace has intensified from idle threats to homicides and the majority of assailants are reportedly domestic partners, strangers, customers or clients and employees. "Homicide was the third leading cause of occupational death from 1980 to 1985, accounting for 13 percent of all workplace deaths" (2) http://www.nsi.org/Tips/workdeth.txt. More recent data indicates that the statistics and fear is increasing and the level of safety is decreasing. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), reports "nearly 7000 workers were victims of homicide in the workplace during the period of 1980 to 1989... ...ace". accessed October 17, 1999 available from http://www.workviolence.com ;Internet. Marianne Minor. "Preventing Workplace Violence; Positive Management Strategies". Crisp Publications, Park, Menlo, California, 1995, pg.20. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "Workplace Violence" available from http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/index.html accessed November 19, 1999 Internet. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). "Workplace Violence" available from http://osha.gov/oshinf/priorities/violence.html accessed on November 21, 1999; Internet. Robertson, Dirk. "Violence in your Workplace; How to Cope". Souvenir Press, London, 1993, pg. 19. Tyler, Mary P. "A Manager's Guide: Traumatic Incidents at the Workplace. U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 1993.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Pollution control and waste management Essay

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (‘the Department’) has recognised that they are not always successful in policing and enforcing environmental laws. However, the Department is making strides to meet these challenges and to ensure that our laws are practically implemented. In March 2000, the Department published its White Paper on Integrated Pollution and Waste Management (‘the White Paper’). The White Paper proposes a number of tools to implement the objectives of the waste management policy it sets out. The promulgation of new pollution and waste legislation such as the amendments to the Environment Conservation Act, 73 of 1989 (‘ECA’) comprise one such tool. The objective of the Environment Conservation Act: Amendment Bill, 2003 (‘the Amendment Bill’) is to facilitate government’s general policy on integrated pollution control and waste management so as to give effect to waste management as proposed in the White Paper. The Amendment Bill will amend the ECA in three separate ways: †¢ the management of waste sites will be transferred from the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (‘the Minister’); †¢ the Minister will have the power to make regulations for the imposition of compulsory charging for identified waste streams (for example, plastic bags) and deposit systems (for example, second-hand non-reusable tyres); and †¢ the Minister will have the power to make regulations regarding products which, by their nature, may pose a hazard to the environment and/or human health if and when they reach the waste stream (for example, asbestos products). Transfer of power The ECA governs environmental waste pollution. In particular, the ECA provides for the permitting and related control measures for the operation of waste landfill sites. The ECA specifically stipulates that the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry should administer these facilities. In accordance with the government’s philosophy on integrated pollution control and waste management inherent in the White Paper, the amendment transfers the administration of these facilities from the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry to the Minister. Economic incentives In order to promote recycling and waste minimization in respect of certain waste streams such as plastic bags, glass and tyres, certain additional regulatory powers will be allocated to the Minister. The Amendment Bill proposes a financial incentive approach which will complement the existing traditional ‘command and control’ approach to controlling pollution. Whereas the command and control approach relies either on administrative sanctions (for example, permitting requirements on scheduled emissions) or criminal measures (for example, fines or imprisonment if such permit conditions are breached) to regulate pollution emissions, the amendment will give the Minister the power to make regulations to encourage the re-use, reduction and recycling of specific waste types. To this end, the proposed amendment to the ECA provides that the Minister may make regulations with regard to waste management, concerning the imposition of compulsory charging, deposits systems and levies on certain waste types or specified items in waste types. The intention is that the revenue raised from such charges will be used to encourage recycling and a compulsory deposit system will promote the collection and return of types of waste. A compulsory charge on a particular waste will encourage its re-use, for example, the controversial compulsory charge on plastic bags has promoted re-use. The Minister intends to use these mechanisms to impose a deposit scheme on second-hand and unusable tyres and glass. Regulating products Currently, the ECA does not give the Minister or the Department regulatory power over products, materials or substances that may cause harm to the environment or human health should these enter the waste stream (for example, asbestos, which is found in building material, friction material and other elements). The Department does not have regulatory powers over such substances until the relevant material becomes waste. The Amendment Bill will give the Minister the power to make regulations with regard to the prohibition, control or regulation of products that may have a detrimental effect on the environment or on human health if and when they reach the waste stream.

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Dartmouth College Acceptance Rate, SAT/ACT Scores

Dartmouth College is an Ivy League research university with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. Founded in 1769 and located in Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth has approximately 4,400 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. Applicants should consider Dartmouth a  reach school  even if grades and SAT/ACT scores are on target for admission. To apply, students can use the  Common Application, Coalition Application, or Questbridge Application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a peer recommendation with their application. Dartmouth has an Early Decision program that can improve admission chances for students who are sure the university is their top choice school. Considering applying to this highly selective school? Here are the Dartmouth admissions statistics you should know. Why Dartmouth College? Location: Hanover, New HampshireCampus Features: Dartmouths picturesque 269-acre campus includes the Hood Museum of Art and the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Hanover often ranks among the best college towns in the U.S.Student/Faculty Ratio: 7:1Athletics: Dartmouth Colleges Big Green compete at the NCAA Division I level.Highlights: One of the nations top universities, Dartmouth College is a member of the prestigious Ivy League. Acceptance Rate During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Dartmouth had an acceptance rate of 8.7%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 8 students were admitted, making Dartmouths admissions process highly competitive. Admissions Statistics (2017-18) Number of Applicants 22,033 Percent Admitted 8.7% Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 61% SAT Scores and Requirements Dartmouth requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 58% of admitted students submitted SAT scores. SAT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile ERW 700 770 Math 720 790 ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing This admissions data tells us that most of Dartmouths admitted students fall within the top 7% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Dartmouth score between 700 and 770, while 25% scored below 700 and 25% scored above 770. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 720 and 790, while 25% scored below 720 and 25% scored above 790. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1560 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Dartmouth. Requirements Dartmouth does not require the SAT writing section. Note that Dartmouth participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. At Dartmouth, applicants are encouraged to submit SAT Subject test scores in two different subject areas. ACT Scores and Requirements ACT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile English 32 35 Math 29 35 Composite 31 35 This admissions data tells us that most of Dartmouths admitted students fall within the top 5% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Dartmouth received a composite ACT score between 31 and 35, while 25% scored above 35 and 25% scored below 31. Requirements Note that Dartmouth does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. Dartmouth does not require the ACT writing section. Regardless of whether you submit the ACT or SAT, Dartmouth recommends that applicants submit SAT Subject test scores in two different subject areas. GPA Dartmouth College doe not provide data about admitted students high school GPAs. Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph Dartmouth College Applicants Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph. Data courtesy of Cappex. The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Dartmouth College. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account. Admissions Chances Dartmouth College has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high SAT/ACT scores. However, Dartmouth has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside Dartmouths average range. In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that the great majority of students who got into Dartmouth College are concentrated in the upper right corner of the graph. This means they tend to have A averages (unweighted), an ACT composite score above 27, and a combined SAT score (ERWM) of above 1300. Most admitted students have scored well above these numbers. All admissions data has been soured from the National Center for Education Statistics and Dartmouth College Undergraduate Admissions Office.