Accounting and taxation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Accounting and taxation - Essay Example The employment status of an employee has been categorized as employed or self-employed.This categorization is based upon the terms and conditions of the relevant association.It is important to mention that such classification is important as separate rules have been promulgated which are applicable to specific conditions of employment in special circumstances. It is important for an employee to realise that he/she should be aware of her job description along with lists of the designated authorities to whom he/she is responsible. It is significant to evaluate the capacity of your designation, which shall be verified against the standard classification of employed or self-employed, "it is important to know whether you are working for that person in an employed capacity or in a self-employed capacity as an independent contractor". This classification is significant in terms of imposition of tax bracket, the employment status is crucial to determine "the charge to tax on income from that employment or self-employment, and determines the class of NICs, which are to be paid" (Helen, 2000).The differentiation between the self-employed and employed is possible after evaluation of "contract of service or under a contract for services". It is important with reference to tax and NIC that "there is no statutory definition of a contract of service or of a contract for services", it is indeed the relationship towards the institution which is significant in assessment. The application of common law principles is critical for the determination of the nature of a contact. The courts have developed specific factors and assessment, the affirmative response towards series of factors helps in the classification of employed personnel. The questions includes, "do they have to do the work themselves; can someone tell them at any time what to do, where to carry out the work or when and how to do it; can they work a set amount of hours; can someone move them from task to task; are they paid by the hour, week, or month; can they get overtime pay or bonus payment". The affirmative response towards following suggest the strong possibility of self-employed personnel, "can they hire someone to do the work or engage helpers at their own expense; do they risk their own money; do they provide the main items of equipment they need to do their job, not just the small tools that many employees provide for themselves; do they agree to do a job for a fixed price regardless of how long the job may take; can they decide what work to do, how and when to do the work and where to provide the services; do they regularly work for a number of different people; do they have to correct unsatisfactory work in their own time and at their own expense" (Helen, 2000). As per legal regulations, contract has been regarded as oral and/or implied agreement between minimum two parties. The common elements of valid contract service and contract for services include, "the intention to enter into le gal relations; an offer (usually of work) and its acceptance (an agreement); consideration (for example, in return for performing work the worker receives payment)". The establishment of contact is essential, it is also important to settle the terms and conditions of the contract against "case law laid down by the courts over the years" (Greg, 2006). Issues The legal requirement envisaged by the courts include "basic approach to identify the factors present; weigh those that point to self-employment against those that point the other way; and then stand back and consider the picture that emerges" (Helen, 2000). The contract shall include the discussed features, which shall essentially reflect the nature of employment and will assist in differentiation of employment status. The understanding and interpretation of relationship between the parties is not of significant interest, "it is the reality of the relationship that matters, the intention of the parties has to be taken into account and can be decisive where the relationship is ambiguous

Business Ethics and Rules Essay Example for Free

Business Ethics and Rules Essay Personally, I agree that Solomons ethical fundamentals are a good moral foundation for a business. â€Å"Business ethics is the study of what constitutes right and wrong (or good and bad) human conduct in a business context. † (p25) From the lecture, we know that ethics matters because â€Å"how organizations behave have important implications for how they fulfill their social and economic roles† and â€Å"their success as well as the success of their employees, customers, etc. † Thus, running a business ethically is good for business. Applying Solomon’s three C’s of business ethics and the eight rules of thinking ethics in business make good sense. The three C’s of business ethics include compliance, contributions and consequences. The first C is â€Å"the need for compliance with the rules, including the laws of the land†¦and such general concerns as fairness. †(p36) As a saying goes, â€Å"Nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards. † Rules in business are intended to assert business structure or to control or influence the behavior of the business. Let’s take EU-Rent for example. EU-Rent is a car rental company owned by EU-Corporation. EU-Rent sets up rules about rentals, returns, servicing and customers. For example, â€Å"EU-Rent keeps records of customers, their rentals, and bad experiences. This information is used to decide whether to approve a rental. † If EU-Rent doesn’t comply with these rules, it may not organize well. The second C is â€Å"the contributions business can make to society, through the values and quality of one’s products or services†¦and usefulness of one’s activities to the surrounding community. † (p36) For instance, economists conventionally assume that organization’s primary goal is to maximize profits. Many successful organizations are gradually aware of the important relationship between profits and contributions to society. Starbucks has seen its profits rise as it has increased its investment in social issues. Those organizations who are making profits and don’t contribute to society may receive criticism from the public. As the article â€Å"The Sichuan Earthquake and the Changing Landscape of CSR in China†, which was written by Ariel McGinnis, James Pellegrin, Yin Shum, Jason Teo, and Judy Wu (University of Pennsylvania), mentioned, â€Å" In the days and weeks following the Sichuan earthquake, many multinational corporations(MNCs) pursued a global CSR (corporate social responsibility) policy in line with their international standard. While some multinationals pledged cash, many others pledged a combination of cash, equipment and services. Domestic firms, by all accounts, out-donated multinationals†¦The popular perception was that international firms relief contributions not only did not match those of local Chinese companies in terms of scale or timeliness, but also were not commensurate with their presence in the Chinese market. Chinese consumers quickly seized upon this disparity by openly attacking major MNCs, calling for a boycott of their products †¦ The Chinese public soon gave these affected MNCs the nickname of ‘international iron roosters. The term refers to a bird that never gives up a single feather, and its usage highlights the perceived stinginess of these international firms†¦Despite their additional donations,’ iron-rooster’ MNCs continued to face angry consumers throughout China, resulting in severe public backlash, including protests at several McDonalds and blo ckades at KFCs throughout Sichuan province and the rest of China. † From this example, we can see how important the contributions that organizations should make to the society are. The third C is â€Å"the consequence of business activity†¦including the reputation of one’s own company and industry†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p36) Why the consequences of business activity are so important? Let’s have a look at the following example. Once, Sanlu was one of the oldest and most popular brands of infant formula in China. It went into bankruptcy after the â€Å"Sanlu milk scandal†. Based on the media, â€Å"By November 2008 China reported an estimated 300,000 victims, six infants dying from kidney stones and other kidney damage, and a further 860 babies hospitalized. Since the Sanlu Group didn’t solve the problem and recall the products in time, it leaded to a horrible incident. Doubtlessly, what did organizations do may affect their development and even the well-being of the public. Organizations should not blindly pursue for profits only but also be responsive to society. To become successful, a business needs to be driven by strong ethical va lues. If a corporation fails to adopt ethical values and cannot be responsive to society, it will fail, just like the Sanlu Group. Besides the three C’s of business ethics, Solomon also stated the eight rules of thinking ethics in business, which are also good moral foundations for a business. The eight rules include â€Å"consider other people’s well-being, including the well-being of nonparticipants; think as a member of the business community and not as an isolated individual; obey, but do not depend solely on, the law; think of yourself—and your company—as part of society; obey moral rules; think objectively; ask the question ‘What sort of person would do such a thing? and respect the customs of others, but not at the expense of your own ethics. †(p40, 41) Based on the above statements, it is obvious to see that they are mainly about the concept of three C’s. According to the text, thinking ethically means â€Å"thinking in terms of compliance with the rules, implicit as well as explicit, thinking in terms of the contributions one can make as well as oneâ€⠄¢s own possible gains, thinking in terms of avoiding harmful consequences to others as well as to oneself. (p40) In the case of â€Å"Sanlu milk scandal†, one of the main reasons behind

Conflict Theory and Terrorism

Conflict Theory and Terrorism PUBLIC POLICY TOWARDS TERRORISM Basic Principles of Conflict Theory: Conflict theory is the principal alternative to functionalism. The Conflict Theorists shared numerous significant assumptions to view the world with different angles. Conflicts theorists perceive and arena in which crowd seeks influence, where functionalists glimpse interdependence and consensus. According to conflict theorists the control of conflict generally means the ability of one group suppressing the opponent group temporarily. The functionalists believe that societies will progress through the social mechanisms to deal with the social conflict. Conflict theorists observe civil law is a technique of defining and holding a particular social order than benefits some at the expense of others. While Functionalists see civil law as a way of increasing social order. Conflict theorists emphasize on the shifting power between competing groups. Where as Functionalists focus on interdependence and equilibrium. It can be sub divided into Marxism and Neo-Marxism. Social scientists are bel ieved to have moral duty to critique society. It cannot be objective of refusal to separate analyst from the judgment or fact, and also believes in that society can be constructed in such a manner where there is no chance of conflicts and Weberian Conflict Theory. Conflict cannot be separated from the social life, rejects the objection of the ideas of social science, with the intention to establish a scientific social science. According to Marxism an entirely contemporary theory ruins as many sociologists work and it is an integrated perspective. According to Neo-Marxism, where as economic sub structure is concerned the culture and ideology are its reflection. And contemporary Sociologists views the importance of superstructure is in its own right. The cultural factors play their own role in maintaining inequalities among class as per the eyes of European Neo-Marxists. C. Wright Mills, sociologist had combined a conflict perception with a tough critique of the social order. According to him there is threat in future, believe that that there is immorality in political and economic systems of U.S., in consideration of political parties are manipulative and craziness, they put their services themselves and calling it as free research value. For him the major issue is the relationship between bureaucracy, isolation and the centralization of power more in a ‘power elite. Now a days media plays a significant role by communication about terrorism and focusing on how to react, how public should take that and how to ‘fix terrorism, overwhelmingly the fact that terrorism is not a new thing while it has been around for years and more highly, ignoring the enormous amount of study and publications starting the different theories of terrorism. As per the terrorist act is concerned, terrorism is nothing but it is a sort of frustration which may create in the mind of persons due to misguidance, illiteracy or unrealistic and the conflict is antagonistic behavior resulting from individual frustration, aggression or pugnacity. Subsequently they use violence, they also believe that unless we do this violence we will lose an existent power struggle, therefore it now regarded that terrorism is a tool of the weak. First they do not have the resources such as money, people and political power to wage an actual war. Second, terrorist used hostility as a means, not a goal, while the main goal is to agitate, expose and emphasize the weaknesses and inability of the government and civil machinery to achieve their direct political objectives. Some of the most highly regarded terrorist profiles are Timothy McVeigh, Theodore Kaczynski, Osama bin Laden. Terrorist Activities: In the present scenario the number of states getting affected by terrorism is increasing day by day. Terrorist activities became an integral part of guerrilla warfare, the kind of political violence which are facing is relatively a new one. This is considered as a significant and distinct mode of armed conflict. It is only an aggrieved group has sufficient means to maintain violence on its own without bear from other states. Few states provide moral support to such group which might sound tiny way from being neutral, but valuable moral support from states that promote the political objective. The acts done by the aggrieved groups can be classified as Frivolous actions: Perus electricity poles in Lima city being blown up consecutively for 4 years during the New Years Eve. Indiscriminate Bombings and killings act of disruption and creating atmospheres of fear and insecurity. Hijacking of planes and taking hostage became one of the problems into the international prospect. In order to tackle the situation against the terrorist keeping Public policy in mind, the governments are taking appropriate actions such as killing the terrorists quickly as the best deterrence available is to kill the terrorist. Gathering information and getting cooperation from national as well as international intelligence organizations. Some of them include Organizations such as Interpol, FBI, Europol, etc. â€Å"FBI/CIA/Europole†is regarded as world intelligence agency.. Dehumanize, demonize, terrorist. Actions against money laundering, is also regarded as best means to control supply of money, to the terrorist. There is a difference to face and terrorism. The decision part will be in the hand of the political leaders here. In hijacking and hostage operation the decision lies on the political leaders. There will be involvement of several international organizations and concerned states for such problems. It decision depends on several things so government should have a proper agenda to face these type of situations. Complying laws with human rights is also necessary. Or else terrorist will use this to voice their protest more and change the sensitive minds set of youngsters. All the theories meant will give basic guidelines about the system and the problems in the system and it is up to the policy makers to use those theories to enact perfect laws that can curtail the problem. References: 1. Conflict theory, December 22, 2007. 2. David J. Whittaker,( 2004), Terrorists and Terrorism in the Contemporary World. Routledge, New York, Pp: 63. 3. Khan, A. (1987) ‘A legal theory of international terrorism, Connecticut Law Review. pp 945-972. 4. J. Paul De B. Taillon, Hijacking and Hostages: Government Responses to Terrorism. Praeger, Westport, CT. Publication Year: 2002. Pp: 159 5. J. Paul De B. Taillon, Hijacking and Hostages: Government Responses to Terrorism. Praeger, Westport, CT. Publication Year: 2002. Pp: 49 6. Tay Kok Siong, D., Yong Wee, F. and Kien Meng, W (July 2001), Terrorism and Game theory.

Influence of Other Characters on the Transformation of Elizabeth in Pri

Influence of Other Characters on the Transformation of Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice      Ã‚   In "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, readers witness the profound transformation of the protagonist. Although the drastic changes are largely due to the character's self-propelled growth, the influences of other characters play a key role in igniting the permanent metamorphoses.   This essay analyzes the two most influential characters in "Pride and Prejudice" and Elizabeth's self-realization.   We are working under the presumption that two other characters serve as catalysts to boost the final changes of the protagonist. Elizabeth's transformation and growth are greatly attributed to two other characters; namely Darcy and Wickam.   At first Elizabeth notably concentrates on Darcy's conceited attitude and on Wickam's pleasing manners.   As the story unfolds, the prejudices against Darcy and for Wickam are to face profound reversals.   While Darcy's real identity, which is not that arrogant, is being revealed to Elizabeth, she is ushered into the darker side of Wickam.   In the process of this remarkable revelation, Elizabeth obtains the reconfiguration of her attitude from prejudice-ridden to broadened perspective.   In figuring out the specific process, Dar... ...t things may be opposite.   This suspicion is strengthened when Wickam shows uneasiness about her stay at Rosings(175).   On the heels of her subtle change of attitude toward Darcy, she visits Pemberly where Darcy lives and comes to hear about Darcy through the housekeeper as follows: "I have never had a cross word from him in my life, and I have known him ever since he was four years old"(183). Works Cited Austen, Jane.   Pride and Prejudice.   Ed. Donald Gray.   New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1996. Fritzer, Penelope Joan.   Jane Austen and Eighteenth-Century Courtesy Books.   Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1997.

McKay

It seems really ironic that a poem could be both an outcry during the Harlem Renaissance and a rallying song for Winston Churchill to persuade his country to fight against the Nazis, but that is exactly what this poem was.   Claude McKay’s â€Å"If We Must Die† was originally written about the race riots in Harlem in 1919, and it was a call to all African American men that it was time for them to stand up for their rights.   As with his poetry, McKay himself had quite an interesting life. Born in Jamaica in 1889, he published his first book of poetry at the age of twenty.   In this book called â€Å"songs of Jamaica,† he tells the reader about living the life of an average black in Jamaica.   In 1912, he came to America in order to attend Tuskegee, then moves on to the University of Kansas.   He flirted with communism and traveled to Europe only to find himself converting to Catholicism back in Harlem again.   Dying in 1948, McKay certainly left his mark on the world.   McKay’s poem â€Å"If We Must Die,† leaves a mark of his fierceness when it comes to social inequality and â€Å"bucking† the status quo.   McKay makes a plea to African American men. McKay uses many literary techniques and devices in this poem to enhance and emphasize his meaning.   He uses â€Å"like hogs† in line one, which is a simile.   He immediately begins with this because the reader clearly does not want to identify himself or herself with â€Å"hogs.†Ã‚   He is setting up the idea that black people do not want to live like animals.   Therefore, they must fight for their rights.   He uses apostrophe, both in lines 5 and 9.   He may allude to many other injustices suffered like Harper’s Ferry or slavery. An extended metaphor would be the animal imagery that is carried through the poem with words like â€Å"hogs,† (line 1)â€Å"hunted, â€Å" â€Å"penned,† (line 2) â€Å" bark,† â€Å"mad and hungry dogs,† (line 3) â€Å"monsters,† (line 7) â€Å"cowardly pack† (line 13).   A metaphor is used in line 7 with the word â€Å"monsters.†Ã‚  Ã‚   Again, McKay is making the conscience choice to evoke animal imagery because, in his mind, blacks have become animals.   They have been backed into a corner like animals, and now they must choose to fight their way out. His choice of rhetoric or diction clearly demonstrates that of the black man’s dignity and the animal imagery that dehumanizes the black man.   An example of hyperbole is â€Å"If we must die, let it not be like hogs† (line 1)   and â€Å"and for their thousand blows deal one death-blow† (line 11).   In line 3, onomatopoeia is used with the word â€Å"bark.†Ã‚   A rhetorical question is used in line 12 with â€Å"What though before us lies the open grave?†Ã‚   This reminds the reader that death waits for all of us, so what have they really got to lose?   Many of these techniques are used to create a sense of urgency in the reader. Basically interpreting this poem is simple.   It is brief but eloquent.   McKay does not feel that his fellow â€Å"kinsmen† should stand around and let society or white man attack them and do nothing about it.   He tells his brothers that they must fight.   They need to show themselves to be brave and fight back against injustice and oppression.   They must fight back against those who persecute them.   McKay clearly admits that they may be outnumbered, with their backs pressed to the wall, but they will not go down without a fight.   They will not be treated like animals in a pen by remaining passive; they will join together and fight.   If they have been made into animals, they will fight like animals. This poem is clearly a Shakespearean sonnet.   One easy way to tell is the rhyme scheme of ababcdcdefefgg.   Also the reader knows because the poem consists of 14 lines and is made up of three quatrains and a couplet, with the last rhyming couplet being the â€Å"turn.†Ã‚   This sonnet is also written in iambic pentameter as to stay with traditional form.   The poem is clearly end-rhymed as the rhyme scheme suggests.   There is repetition of the words â€Å"If we must die.† By repeating these words McKay repeats his plea for people to fight back, not to just accept the way things are.   African Americans deserve equal rights and they should get them or at least go out trying.   This poem is a call to African American men to fight for their rights.   He uses a quite traditional poetic form with very strict rules to talk about a non-traditional topic—African Americans standing up for their rights.   It is formal structure to express a formal message, written almost like a speech or plea. McKay’s hatred for the passive nature of black men is shown in this poem.   He is calling for black men to stand up and fight against the injustices that have been done to them.   He says that if they have to die, they should at least die fighting, knowing that they were fighting for their cause.   Society has, in many ways, made them into animals.   Instead of sitting passively by and being treated like animals, they should fight like animals.   They have nothing to lose because they have no rights and in many ways are simply waiting for death. Works Cited McKay, Claude, â€Å"If We Must Die,† Retrieved October 30, 2007 at Web Site: McKay, Claude, Retrieved October 30, 2007 at Web Site: http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/25         

Pros of Electronic Communication

Electronic communication was discovered in 1998. Electronic communication is used for the transfer of data, images, signals, signs, etc. through wire, electromagnetic, radio, photoelectronic or photo-optical system. With its growing popularity people have started communicating via email. Electronic communication is not only a new tool but also a new way of communication. This has led to a change in the culture. Below mentioned are advantages and disadvantages of electronic communication. Pros of Electronic Communication The benefits of electronic communication is that people across the world can share televised pictures, conversations, graphics, circuits and interactive softwares. The interaction between people residing in different geographical locations have increased and have become promiscuous. The conversations are more visual and textual. This is helpful mainly for hearing impaired people. With electronic communication, the recipient receives the message within a few seconds of the sender sending it. The recipient can read the message anytime, anywhere according to his convenience. The speed of conversation has increased and this has resulted in faster processing of important matters related to business, finance, trade, etc. For example, you can instantly access the information present in your computer. As there are no restrictions about time and place, people can sit at home and do their office work if the required resources are available. This work arrangement is termed as telecommuting. The communicated messages can be stored permanently or temporarily on disks or tapes for years or can even be printed and stored in files. The process of learning has become simple and efficient as the information can be archived and retrieved according to the requirement. Since the communication does not take place via hard copies, money spent for paper, printing and postal deliveries is saved. After the mail is delivered to the receiver, it is placed safely in the hard disk of the receiver's computer. After the receiver retrieves the mail, it is his responsibility to keep it safely. Cons of Electronic Communication The main issue with electronic communication is security. Your computer can be hacked and affected with computer virus. This can have an adverse effect on the computer system and the network. The volume of transmitted data is large and the transmission is fast. Hence, it becomes difficult for employers and managers to absorb, process and understand it and provide proper feedbacks to their employees. The speed with which the messages are transmitted often changes the structure of the messages, which at times can be misinterpreted. Electronic data can be duplicated identically without any proof of duplication. These messages can also be modified. At times, people can intentionally send malicious programs like viruses, worms and Trojans through emails, which is difficult to detect. Another disadvantage of electronic communication is email privacy issues. An email is sent in the form of data packets via computer network. These data packets have to pass through a number of routers (a computer device used for forwarding packets in the computer network) and computers before it reaches its destination. So, there are chances of an individual tampering the emails before it reaches its recipient. While the data packets are transferred from one computer system to another, they can be lost when one router transfers it to another. If the router is bombarded with more number of data packets than its carrying capacity, the receiver can experience a delay in receiving it. The ‘from message header' of a message can be modified, which hampers the authenticity. Almost all technologies in this world have their pros and cons. Similarly, there exist advantages and disadvantages of electronic communication as well. In-spite of its disadvantages, most of us depend on electronic communication for our everyday work as it has become an integral part of our lives.