Orlando Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Orlando - Essay Example he novel, by choosing not to grow old during the three centuries time span of the storyline and most importantly changing gender from male to female, is depicted in such a manner as to provoke the reader’s thought by sincerely analyzing all aspects of the two sexes’ behavioral attributes. Although Woolf’s work of Orlando is a passionate depiction based on the life of her friend and lover Vita Sackville-West as it was originally intended to be, the novel gives us a far more illustrative view of the world concerning gender specifics, sexuality and human nature as it had been during the second half of the previous millennium. According to Wikipedia, the novel can be read as a ‘roman à   clef’ which is a work of literature describing real life, behind a faà §ade of fiction and where the main character is usually a famous personality, or in some cases, the author. Woolf has used immense material from the writings of Vita as a basis for her own novel. Even though the main character here is based on the life of Vita, using the overtones of fiction and the liberties made available through fantasy, Woolf was able to construct a well documented biography of Vita, without subjecting herself to criticism or controversy. Themes such as homosexuality have bee n subtly brought into the picture by fictionalizing the real life character as a male who transforms into a female later on. This show the ingeniousness of Virginia Woolf, as most other works of English fiction directly approaching the subject of homosexuality had been banned during her years. Therefore even though she has titled her work as a biography, the novel has been classified as fiction, and this shows how Woolf had intended to cross the boundaries set between fiction and non-fiction with Orlando, â€Å"so the novel is not only about trans-gender, but also trans-genre, so to speak.† (Wikipedia) The book offers us considerable insight into the study and comparison between the male and female mind, as Woolf

Heal hospital Essay Example for Free

Heal hospital Essay The healing hospital paradigm emphasizes the eradication of stress and other health risks in the healthcare environment for patients and visitors. The factors that influence these health risks are inherent to the setting of the hospital, not the illnesses being treated. For instance, patients become stressed because of painful therapeutic procedures, lack of social life, deterioration of financial status because of healthcare expenditures, etc. In order to guarantee that the patients well being is maintained, the amount of stress must be curtailed. Additionally, the all-inclusive care and attention components of the paradigm guarantees that the patients recovery process are utilized to the zenith without infringing upon their dignity and privacy. Instead of just simply curing the disease, the healing hospital paradigm incorporates the healing of the whole patient (Young Koopsen, 2006). This is served from the paradigms focus on healing beyond the physical body. It intends to improve the overall welfare of the individual by not only addressing the patients cognitive, emotional, and spiritual concerns, but also those of the familys (Milstein, 2005). In order to develop a healing environment, certain barrier must be overcome within the context of the hospital setting. This paper will analyze the healing hospital paradigm, recognize its significance in care giving method, portray its aspects, and depict its connections to spirituality. Healing Hospital Aspects A healing hospital goes beyond windows, walls, and mortar. Its strong culture of love and caring is what sets it apart from traditional hospitals (Chapman, 2010). The healing hospital is composed of three essential aspects. Healing Environment Hospitals should be a healing physical environment. This denotes that hospitals should be free of any physical disturbances that could potentially cause stress. These outside factors consist of excessive noise, a morbid or  dull environment, and panic-inducing disorganization. In order to diminish these external environmental factors, employees must meticulously construct an organized hospital setting that complies with the aspects of a physical healing environment. Employees are given the proper training to become successful caregivers who are cognizant in patient and family interaction. This method of interaction will help patients and families cope with their grief and deal with their concerns. By engaging all five senses, the environment is designed to establish a spiritual relationship. Stefanidakis states that by choosing the appropriate colors, human behavior will be influenced to the desired effects and psychological systems will be established (2001). For example, the color green denotes a healing and nurturing environmentone symbolizing unconditional love and growth. This is due to the fact that color has the incredible ability to trigger emotional responses such as peacefulness, irritability, or cheerfulness. Furthermore, designing the hospital interior in a manner that resembles a church or temple promotes spirituality. This can be done by including religious artifacts such as rosary beads. However, the patient must feel in control of the environment in order for stress relief to occur. This control can be achieved with lighting, temperature, etc. Integrating Technology and Work Design Technology plays a large role in the healing hospital paradigm. Its interweaving into the healing hospital structure permits staff members to work with systematic efficiency, routing work in a way that amplified the patients and familys comfort. In this more tranquil environment, patients receive much more sleep and, thus allow their bodies sufficient time to heal. Equipped with technological advancements such as cleaning machines with internal silencers and wireless phones for direct communication with the healthcare team, employees are competent in the effective use of this technology. Thus, they advocate a quiet and healing ambience. Developing a low stress environment, the staff is prone to fewer distractions. The lack of distraction leads to a decrease in common medical errors. The Culture of Loving Care Former executive of the Baptist Healing Hospital Trust Erie Chapman believes that the most important aspect of the healing hospital intertwined treatment with a significant component consisting of love, care, and empathy (Chapman, 2010). Constructing an intriguing culture in which the staff members are cognizant of their duties and are adept at unreservedly executing them through is a fundamental aspect of the healing hospital. All caregivers must advocate unconditional love for patients as well as visitors by incorporating it into their daily actions. Compassionate care through relationships in which the patient is the center is the basis on which the development of the healing hospital rests. Staff members inspire hope by exhibiting unconditional love through the utilization of compassionate care and the minimization of grief and stress levels of the patients and their families. Additionally, prayer strengthens hope and grounds the healing hospital in a spiritual relationship. Challenges of the Healing Hospital Environment As stated by Chapman (2010), there are five challenges that healing hospitals must conquer constantly. First, the growing amount of medical technology such as wires, tubes, and pharmaceuticals has monopolized healthcare to the point that healthcare professionals have forgotten the healing essentials such as the loving care method and the belief in the unification of body, mind, and spirit. Identifying the demand for, and providing balance between loving care and technology results in a raise in patient satisfaction. Next, the progression of technology has resulted in a tremendous focus on profits and market share rather than care. Although much ignored and neglected, the â€Å"Servants’ Heart† are faithful to their duty to provide Radical Loving Care; this is where leaders play an important role in â€Å"taking care of the people who take care of people† (Chapman, 2010). Thirdly, intimacy between patients and employees are often stripped as traditional hospitals and prisons partake in a type of institutionalism that destroys identity. By substituting patients clothes with hospital garments, names with identification numbers, and privacy with sharing rooms with strangers, a common institutionalism is set. Moreover, visiting hours restrictions have  the tendency to make a patient feel as though he or she is a hostage. In contrast, caregivers are often required to perform repetitive tasks with unparalleled precision. This is referred to as a bureaucracy or an organization that resembles a difficult-to-work-with machine (Chapman, 2010). In addition, cynicism is deleterious when it comes to caring for the patient. Believer or not, love should not be seen as a â€Å"nice thing† but as a â€Å"vital part† of patient’s recovery (Chapman, 2010). Healing is multi-faceted and and embodies the physical, emotional, and spiritual concerns of the patients. Lastly, leadership is a dig munificent component in patient healing. Given the opportunity and responsibility to prioritize loving care, leaders are encouraged to make sure their caregivers provide it. Biblical Passage Supporting the Concept of a Healing Hospital James 5:14-15 illustrates Jesus healing of the ill. In particular, Jesus asks if there are any ill people in the crowd. If there are, they should call for the elders of the church for an anointing with the sacred oil. This type if anointment will heal the sick because of their faith through the power of prayer (King James Version). This advocates the healing hospital paradigm since it recognizes a clear relationship between healing and prayer. This passage enforces the same belief, whereby the importance of the spiritual aspect of the healing process is brought to light. Since it is rooted in spirituality, prayer can effectively instill hope in patients and families. Though a relatively new turn in the medical profession, the healing hospital is increasingly gaining in popularity. Not only affecting the body but also the patients and familys overall well being, the patient-centric attention and care facilities provided by the hospital adds to the healing hospital paradigm in a member that highlights radical love and compassionate care. Through spirituality, the healing hospital paradigm draws on hope and coping strategies, and thus forged support for its practices from both secular and religious communities. As in scriptures, a body frees itself of sin through piety and community, and with that community comes hope and solace. References Chapman, E. (2010). Radical loving care: building the healing hospital in America. Nashville, TN: Vaughn Printing. Milstein, J. (2005). A paradigm of integrative care: healing with curing throughout life, â€Å"being with† and â€Å"doing to†. Journal of Perinatology, 25, 563-568. doi: 10.1038/sj.jp.7211358 Stefanidakis, S. (2001). Healing with color and the human aura. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from www.fst.org/aura2.htm Young, C., Koopsen, C. (2006). Spirituality, health, and healing (1 ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder Are you having troubles falling asleep at nights? Have you tried warm milk, exercise, yoga, all kinds of sleeping pills and youre still tired? Or that you were told that you had talked during your sleep? Maybe youre having sleep disorders. Sleep disorders can be related to mental conditions, physical conditions or substance inducement. There are about seventy different sleep disorders which are divided into two categories. One category comprises disorders in which a person has hard time in getting sleep or staying asleep or falling asleep at improper time. For example, insomnia, narcolepsy, nocturnal leg syndrome. Sleep disorders which people experience physical events while they are sleeping, such as somnambulism, restless leg syndrome, are categorized in another group. The most common sleep disorder that is suffered by millions of people in the world is probably snoring, which is not medically significant; whereas some sleep disorders can actually be very dangerous as it might caus e a sudden heart attack. One of the most interesting sleep disorders is narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder which is suffered by one in every 2,000 people in the United States. It can be very hard to live with. It is easy for people who know nothing about narcolepsy to think that those who are suffering from narcolepsy are simply because partied too much as people who fall asleep at inappropriate times must be having way too much fun until the early morning. But thats a long way from the truth. Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is caused by the brains failure to adjust sleep-wake cycles normally. People with narcolepsy experience temporary craving to sleep. Patients usually fall asleep for a period of few seconds to several minutes. In some cases, patients may even remain asleep for an hour or longer if the craving becomes overwhelming. Narcoleptic can easily fall into the REM stage of sleep within 10 minutes; whereas most people do not get into REM stage sleep after 90 minutes. Narcoleptic could not control when and where they fall asleep. T hey might fall asleep when waiting for the traffic light, or they could start snoring in the middle of an important meeting. So, narcolepsy can be very dangerous as patients fall asleep at improper times, such as driving, walking, and so on. Therefore, people with narcolepsy should have someone beside to take care of and avoid driving. Do you think people with narcolepsy seem to have longer sleeping time than normal person? In fact, they spend a weaker proportion of their time asleep during a day. Most of them do also experience frequent awakening during night time sleep due to daytime drowsiness and uncontrolled sleep. How do you know youre actually having narcolepsy? There are several symptoms you might have if you suspect youre a narcoleptic. Cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, and excessive daytime sleepiness are common traces of narcolepsy. Cataplexy is an immediate loss of muscle tone that leads to a feeling of weakness and a loss of voluntary muscle control, such as limpness at the neck or knees, sagging facial muscles, or failure to speak clearly. The most critical attack results in a complete loss of tone in all voluntary muscles that leads to total physical collapse in which patients are incapable to move, speak or even keep their eyes open. Nonetheless, patients remain conscious throughout cataplexy. The attack can occur at any time during waking period but mostly triggered by instant emotional reactions, such as surprise, anger, fear or laughter. Episode can last for a few seconds or even several minutes. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 10% of all cases, cataplexy is the first symptom to appear and can be misdiagnosed as a sign of a seizure. Patients should avoid having extreme emotional changes to prevent the attack. Sleep paralysis which is also one of the symptoms can cause fleeting inability to move or speak while in both waking period and sleeping period. Sleep paralysis may too last for seconds or even minutes. Generally, patients remain breathing during sleep paralysis, but, its possible that some patients have experience a disheartening sensation of unable to breath. Hypnagogic hallucinations are dream-like experiences that appear before sleep. The sleeping mind beginning to dream earlier than the body has gone fully asleep is the cause of hypnagogic hallucinations, which means that whatever the patients conscious mind is thinking of will become full sensory hallucinations, similar to what happens in dreams. However, the difference between dreams and hypnagogic hallucinations is these images and sounds are occurring while someone is still actually awake. In additional, hypnagogic hallucinations are usually frightening and vivid. Generally, the excessive daytime sleepiness is the first symptom of narcolepsy to occur. The other symptoms may occur after months or year after the onset of the excessive daytime sleepiness. The excessive daytime sleepiness is mostly last permanently, but sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations may not. How do we really confirm that if were infected by narcolepsy, as having some individual symptoms may not prove that were narcoleptics? For example, hypnagogic hallucinations can occur without narcolepsy. The symptoms of narcolepsy are like symptoms of other illness; therefore, it takes as long as 10 to 15 years to have narcolepsy diagnosed after the first symptoms occur. Narcolepsy is always misdiagnosed as learning problem, seizure disorders or even laziness. Nonetheless, there are some tests available, such as Multiple Sleep Latency Test(MSLT), Polysomnography, and the Hypocretin Test. In the MSLT test, patients are required to have a daytime nap for about 20 minutes every 2 hours. Normal people without narcolepsy usually fall asleep within 10-20 minutes; whereas patients with narcolepsy usually fall asleep within 5-8 minutes. This test also shows that how fast you get into REM stage of sleep which narcoleptics easily get into it. Polysomnography is an overnight sleep study which r esult brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, and blood pressure that can find out how quick one falls asleep, how fast one experiences a REM stage of sleep after sleeping and how often one wakes up during the night. The hypocretin test which has not yet become the main diagnosis tool for narcolepsy can measure the level of hypocretin in cerebrospinal fluid. Nacroleptics normally have lower level of hypocretin. Narcolepsy is so interesting yet dangerous, but what causes narcolepsy? Some say heredity, some say infections. What is confirmed is that narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder. It is not caused by mental illness or psychological problem. In fact, scientists have also discovered that narcoleptics are usually lacking in hypocretin, also called  orexin, which is a chemical in the brain that helps promote wakefulness. Nevertheless, the causes of low hypocretin level arent well understood. Researchers think that low hypocretin level isnt caused by individual factor, it might be caused by several factors together, such as infections, brain injuries, heredity, and autoimmune disorders. Despite the disorder has been studied for a long time, the causes of narcolepsy are not determined. However, World Health Organization has discovered some narcoleptics were actually born with a gene that increases the risk of having this rare disease. Scientists found that this gene might have joint effect with H1N1 swine flu vaccine to cause narcolepsy. This is because many cases of narcolepsy among children and adolescents that have been reported in 12 countries in 2009 have received the H1N1 swine flu vaccine earlier before as well. Patients are likely to develop narcolepsy symptoms between 2 and 10 weeks after receiving the vaccine. Researchers also claimed that the risk for those who got vaccinated to get narcolepsy is about 9 times higher than those who did not get vaccinated. There are also reports that show children who ages 5 to 15 are most likely to get narcolepsy. Nevertheless, cases which narcolepsy is linked to H1N1 swine flu vaccine have only been observed in Finland and Sweden, although the vaccine is used in all over the world. Hence, the link between H1N1 swine flu vaccine and the sleep disorder narcolepsy is still being investigated by the World Health Organization. Due to the fact that the causes of narcolepsy are still not known, there is no known way to prevent this dangerous sleep disorder, even treatment of narcolepsy is only to reduce the number of attacks. The goal of treatment is to improve daytime alertness and minimizing symptoms such as cataplexy, hallucinations and sleep paralysis. Narcolepsy can usually be controlled with treatment, though. The treatment of narcolepsy is mainly changing in lifestyle. Patients should eat light meals during the day and try to avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine as these are factors that may increase the odds of an attack after meals. Narcoleptics may also take naps during the day for 20 to 30 minutes to maintain well functionality and social obligation. Medications can be used to control the symptoms as well. Medication such as Ritalin helps to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness and improves alertness. It has side effects such as headache, irritability, nervousness, notwithstanding its usefulness. U nfortunately, there are no surgical procedures for the treatment of narcolepsy at this time. From the Chinese traditional medicine point of view, the cause of narcolepsy is explained by the Ying-Yang theory. Narcolepsy is developed because of the Ying of ones body is greater than the Yangs and in additional that ones spleen is not functioning well. These are the two main points that cause one to experience drowsiness and also excessive daytime sleeping. However, in Chinese traditional medicine method, it seems to have better treatment than the normal western medicine method. The Chinese have recently invented a medicine that has no side effects for narcoleptics. According to the research done by Mrs. Yang in China who is a Chinese medicine practitioner, 68 patients who taken this healing method for a period of 90 days, 72% of them have obvious improvement, as in the excessive daytime sleeping has been fully cured; 24% of them have improvement, as in the excessive daytime sleeping has almost cured; the other 4% of them have no improvement. This is a great step of treatment fo r narcolepsy as 96% of patients have improvement after taking this healing method. Therefore, this healing method is now spreading out very quickly in China and also received tons of good comments. In conclusion, narcolepsy is a devastating disorder that causes extreme fatigue and often results in the patient falling asleep immediately without warning. It often causes muscle weakness and comes with snoring. Narcoleptic experiences episodes of uncontrollable sleepiness several times a day and it usually happens after meals, but it may also happen at any inappropriate time during the day and last for about fifteen minutes. Patients will then awaken refreshed, only to become exhausted within the next hour or so. It is known that narcolepsy represents a neurological problem of sleep wake mechanisms in the brain yet the causes are still unknown. Although it is not fatal, it still has serious repercussion if the situation gets worse. Thus, it is a dangerous disorder without a cure as it actually affects the brain and muscles. In my opinion, narcolepsy is horrible as it may affect patients in several areas in their lives included daily activities, social functioning and working abilit ies, and it can result in total paralysis, leaving the patients to suffer for the rest of their lives.

The Development of Psychology Essays -- Research Essays Term Papers

The Development of Psychology Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and the mind. This definition implies three things. The first is that psychology is a science, a field that can be studied through objective methods of observation and experimentation. The second is that it is the study of behavior, animal activity that can be observed and measured. And the third is that it is the study of the mind, the conscious and unconscious mental states that cannot be seen but inferred through observation. This modern-day definition of psychology sheds light on the history of psychology, for it only became a science in the late 19th century though psychological thought has been present since Antiquity. Previously, psychology had been studied indirectly in the fields of philosophy and physiology. The term psychology has been around for many centuries, coming from two Greek words: psyche, which means soul, and logos, which means the study of. Before the psychology developed into a science, philosophers from as early as Ancient Greece were asking all sorts of psychological questions such as where do emotions come from, does the world we see exist in color, what is perception and what is reality? But philosophers debating these questions relied on the method of rationalism to explain these phenomena. Rationalism uses logic and reasoning to find truth. This technique is far from objective and cannot accurately determine scientific truth. Psychology also had roots in physiology, a branch of biology that studies living organisms and their parts. Physiologists would conduct studies of the brain and the nervous system to explain mental illnesses, an important area of study in the field of psychology. Physiology however, is... ... of the most recognizable are behaviorism, which arose out of criticism of introspection as a valid research method and set out to study only behavior which could be observed directly. Edward Thorndike, Ivan Pavlov, John Watson, and B.F. Skinner influenced this new take on psychology. Other movements include humanistic psychology in the 50s and 60s, and cognitive psychology of present day. Sources Consulted http://www.dustbunny.fsnet.co.uk/Psy1.htm â€Å"The Development of Psychology† : article on the history of psychology as a field of scientific study http://www.alleydog.com/101notes/history.html â€Å"The Field and History of Psychology†: university class lecture on the history of psychology http://www.psy.pdx.edu/PsiCafe/History/EmergenceOfPsy.htm A Psychology Resource Guide with links to relevant sites regarding the emergence of psychology as a science

Critque essay Essay

In the story â€Å"The Operation,† by Pensri Kiengsiri , a story that has a third persons’ point of view. The reader learns that Kamjorn, the father of the kid, don’t have much affection to Danu because Danu is a victim of polio which made Danu a crippled kid. Its conspiracy leads the reader into having a feeling of sympathy for the boy. And the story’s setting, contributes well to the growing sympathy of the readers to Danu, as Kiengsiri’s treatment of timing cause the readers to anticipate a shocking things that’s to unfold. The time at which â€Å"The Operation† is set introduces an element of tension between the parents. Kamjorn informed the readers that when he taught about going to Bangkok he first wanted to see his best friend, rather to go to the hospital which is his main reason of going to Bangkok; it is â€Å"his mind strayed to other days in Bangkok, student days and to the old school mates, he would have a chance to look up. † As the reader already knows that Kamjorn intends to catch up with his old friends, the very mention of â€Å"strayed to other days† evokes the sense of a plan that will certainly make sadness to the boy’s feelings. The added suggestion of â€Å"chance to look up† introduces an atmosphere of uncertainty: that planted to the reader’s mind is the notion that all is not normal and right to the world. The sense of uncertainty to Kamjorn that he will not go to his son and doesn’t show to his son it is a big factor to his son operation. Just as the time in which â€Å"The Operation† is set infuses the story with an atmosphere of sadness, so do the physical surrounding in which the bulk of plot unfolds. â€Å"When Kamjorn reached Bangkok, he went to meet his friend and to actually catch up with them. When his daughter haven’t seen any sign that either one of their parents arrived, she was worried and called to their house and somehow convinced her mother to travel. † Both things added to the reader’s sense that there’s something is not right and that something imminent is about to occur. This atmosphere of imminence increases as their mother went to the train and hasn’t heard anything from her until the operation is almost finished â€Å"an accident on an express train†¦fatalities†Ã‚  that’s the only words Kamjorn’s mind ever digested before he fainted. For it is only in the final conversation of the story. The imminence that happened to Kamjorn’s wife that caused him to faint. It has successfully concealed the true sense of Kamjorn tears last before he fainted. Hence, the manner Kiengsiri described the time and setting of â€Å"The Operation† serves to greatly enhance the effect of this tale upon the reader. In accompanying the story’s characters into a world thet grows steadily more gruesome at every turn, the reader’s feeling of sadness and foreboding increases, the reader is doubly troubled the disturbing revelation made in the story’s final conversation. Kiengsiri’s use of setting and timing in this story mirrors the special effects employed in dramatic movies-effects that have the viewers wiping their tears, totally absorbed in plot and atmosphere. It is good that a 6 page short story can evoke with words the same response that movie makers use millions of dollars, efforts and truckloads of technology to create.

Ethics Program Essay

The success of Company X is largely determined by the ethical actions and integrity of the employees that support Company X. We are committed to providing education and dialog to promptly address ethical questions or concerns raised by an employee. Managers should encourage discussion amongst employees especially regarding ethics. Ethics dialog should become integrated into a normal work day to keep ethics fresh on everyone’s minds and allow for manager and peer coaching. Ethical dilemmas can occur at any level of business and all employees should be able to make a decision that properly reflects the values and integrity of Company X. We must strive that every action at Company X promotes credibility and builds trust both internally and externally to the company. Respect for Others We all deserve to work in an environment that encourages employee growth and collaboration. Company X is an equal opportunity employer and is fully committed to providing a workplace that is free of discrimination or harassment of any type. The law is very clear regarding this matter and Company X will not tolerate discrimination against another person that includes, but is not limited to, race, sex, age, religious affiliation, national origin, disabilities, or any other class that is offered protection by federal, state or local laws. In addition, harassment of any nature will not be tolerated. Harassment in the work place can take many forms that can include, but is not limited to, unwanted sexual advances, derogatory statements or jokes, lewd emails, unwanted touching, and leering at someone are a few examples of actions that could be considered harassment. It is important to remember what may seem acceptable to you may make someone else feel uncomfortable. A diverse base of cultures, ethnicities, religion and values is at the foundation of America and it should be expected in the work place. You must be contentious of how your actions translate across different cultures and how your actions may be perceived, regardless of intent. Anything that creates a hostile or offensive work environment is unacceptable and will be addressed by management. Any employee who feels discriminated or harassed against should immediately report the incident to his or her manager or human resources. Open Door Policy Company X has an Open Door Policy; this means that everyone should feel comfortable speaking his or her mind, particularly regarding ethics concerns, without fear of reprisal or intimidation. Managers have a responsibility to create a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable discussing any concern or questions that they may have. Company X will only truly benefit when employees feel like that can take any concern they may have to management to prevent a mistake or wrong doing by asking the right question at the right time. Under no circumstance will Company X tolerate retaliation or intimidation against an employee who report instances of questionable or unethical behavior in good faith. All claims will be fully investigated by Human Resources. Any employee who makes a false claim, with malicious intent will face disciplinary actions, up to and including termination. Some actions that could be brought forward in good faith include, but are not limited to, lodging an internal complaint, filing complaint with external agency, unethical practices, requesting accommodations in accordance with ADA Act, refusing to follow unlawful orders, or filing workers compensation claim. Employees are encouraged to address any concerns they may have with their direct manager, ethical or otherwise. In the event the employee does not feel comfortable addressing the concern with his or her direct manager or the direct manager is culpable or unresponsive regarding the ethics violation or other issue, the employee is encouraged to report the incident to the Director of Human Resources. All issues of this nature will be kept confidential unless information must be shared due to legal action. Safety Company X is committed to providing and maintaining a safe workplace. Your safety and the safety of others should take precedence over anything else. All employees are required to comply with all of Company X’s safety rules and guidelines as well as any federal, state and local laws. Each employee is responsible to provide a safe work area for themselves and coworkers by maintaining an organized work area that is free from potential hazards. If there is ever any doubt regarding safety then you should immediately stop and notify manager. If there is ever a doubt about how to safely perform a task, then immediately stop and notify manager. No employee should ever be put in a situation or put others in a situation where they fear for their safety or the safety of anyone else. Any additional measures that could be taken to further increase the safety of an employee should be taken. Any unsafe working conditions or procedures must be immediately reported to your manager. In the event of an injury, regardless of severity, it must be reported immediately to your manager and Human Resources. There is nothing more important at Company X than the safety of our employees. There should never be a situation where an employee is put in an unsafe situation nor should an employee fear reprisal for reporting an unsafe condition. Employees should address safety concerns with direct managers; in the event that the direct manager is unresponsive then the employee must take safety concern to Director of Human Resources. No work is to occur until any safety concern is appropriately addressed. Conflicts of Interests  Employees at Company X must avoid any relationship or activity that might affect our judgment regarding business decisions. We may be faced with a situation where the decision we make to benefit Company X may conflict with our own interests. Opposing, we may be in a situation where a course of action benefits you personally, but may be may not be in the best interest of Company X. As an employee of Company X we must strive to advance the interests of Company X at every opportunity to do so, regardless of personal interests or conflicts. Property, information or position obtained while at Company X should only be used for the benefit of Company X and must never be used for the personal gain or you, your friends or family. Listed are some conflicts of interests intended to illustrate potential conflicts between Company X’s interests and your personal interests. This list is not exhaustive and should be used as a reference:  ·Being employed a competitor or potential competitor, supplier, or customer, regardless of the nature of the employment, while you are employed with Company X. Hiring or supervising family members or friends.  ·Owning or having a substantial interest in a competitor, supplier or customer.  ·Placing company business with a firm owned or controlled by a Company X employee or his or her family.  ·Accepting gifts, discounts, favors or services from a customer/potential customer, competitor or supplier, unless equally available to all Company X employees. It is not always easy to determine if a conflict of interests exists or not. It is always best to seek advice from management and Human Resources when there is any doubt. There is no violation for getting another opinion, so if there is any question at all, you are strongly encouraged to get as many valid opinions as possible. Another area that may present a conflict of interest or position of favor includes business courtesies. Business courtesies include gifts, gratuities, meals, refreshments, entertainment or other benefits from persons or companies with whom Company X does or may do business. We are committed to fair competition in the market through innovative products and solid business integrity. Any action that creates a perception of favorable treatment towards vendors or clients in exchange for business courtesies should be avoided. Company X does not support accepting or giving business courtesies that could constitute unfair business practices, violation of laws, or brings embarrassment to Company X. It should be expected to offer or accept occasional meals, refreshments, entertainment and similar business courtesies as part of standard business practices. Some general guidelines regarding what would be considered appropriate and what would be inappropriate are provided.