Employment Law Compliance Essay Example for Free

Employment Law Compliance Essay Our client, Bradley Stonefield, is planning to open a limousine service, Landslide Limousines, in the Austin, Texas area. Mr. Stonefield plans to hire approximately twenty-five people to provide first class transportation to a variety of clientele. Before Mr. Stonefield begins hiring it is imperative that he has an understanding of applicable employment laws. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) is a well-known and widely used federal anti-discrimination law (LaMance, n. d. ). Title VII make it illegal for employers to discriminate against someone based on their race, religion, national origin or sex (U. S. EEOC, 2014). The Act also made it illegal for employers to retaliate against a person who files a complaint of discrimination or participates in a discrimination investigation (U. S. EEOC, 2014). An employer who violates Title VII may find themselves subjected to a number of legal consequences such as having to pay large sums for damages and being required to readjust the company’s policies (LaMance, n. d. ). To avoid violating Title VII Mr. Stonefield and his managers should treat all employees and applicants equally without regard to any characteristics except job performance (HR Specialist, 2013). The Texas Payday Law covers all business entities in the state of Texas, regardless of size except public employers such as the state or federal government (TWC, 2013). This law gives the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) the authority to enforce wage laws and investigate wage claims (TWC, 2013). Texas Payday Law covers compensation for services rendered, commissions and bonuses, and certain other fringe benefits according to a written agreement with or policy of the employer (TWC, 2013). The law states that employers must pay employees for all hours worked and these wages must be received by the employee no later than payday (TWC, 2013). If the employer lays off, discharges or fires an employee they must pay all wages owed to that employee within six calendar days of the date of separation (TWC, 2013). If an employee voluntarily quits or retires their final payment of wages is due to them on the payday following the date of separation (TWC, 2013). If an employer violates the Texas Payday Law they may be fined the lesser of the wages claimed or $1,000 (TWC, 2013). To avoid violating this law Mr. Stonefield should make sure that employees are paid for all hours worked and that all wages due are paid to employees on time. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act applies to all employers that employ twenty or more employees (U. S. EEOC, 2008). The Act states that it is â€Å"unlawful to discriminate against a person because of his or her age with respect to any term, condition or privilege of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments and training† (U. S. EEOC, 2008). Violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act can cause the business to incur legal liability and require payment of large monetary judgments (Mayfair, n. d. ). Mr. Stonefield and his managers can avoid violating this Act by never taking a person’s age or proximity to retirement into consideration when making decisions about hiring, firing, pay, benefits or promotions (HR Specialist, 2013). The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 prohibits an employer from knowingly hire, recruit or refer for pay any person who is unauthorized to work in the United States (Boston University, n. d. ). If an employer violates this law they can be fined from $100 to $1,000 and the fine is not just for the employer but also for each employee working for them illegally (Boston University, n. d. ). There is also the possibility of imprisonment for employers that are deemed to show a pattern of violating this Act (Boston University, n. d. ). To avoid violating the Immigration Reform and Control Act Mr. Stonefield must verify the identity and employment eligibility of each employee he hires. He must complete and retain a complete INS Form I-9 documenting this verification (Boston University, n. d. ). Conclusion It is important that Mr. Stonefield and his management team understand that labor laws were passed in order to provide protection for both employees and employers. That is why the government puts so much emphasis on making sure organizations take them seriously by enforcing the laws with strict consequences for noncompliance. Staying in compliance with these laws is not only important to avoid legal penalties but will also protect the business from gaining a negative public image that can be extremely damaging to their bottom line.

The Significance of Nicknames in Italian-American Culture and the Novel Christ In Concrete :: Essays Papers

The Significance of Nicknames in Italian-American Culture and the Novel Christ In Concrete Nicknames. They are something that everyone is familiar with in one way or another. However, most people have little, if any, personal experience with nicknames. In Italian-American culture, nicknames play a major role in everyday life. Nicknames are formed with a certain unspoken format, and they have a particular importance. In Italian-American culture nicknames, even though to others they may seem harsh and cruel, are terms of endearment and give a sense of belonging. â€Å"Soprannomi† in Italian means â€Å"above the name† (Mazzoni) and refers to dialect nicknames (Addario and Rulli). To the â€Å"outside world† Italian-American’s use of nicknames may bring to mind organized crime, due to negative media portrayal, with such names as Al â€Å"Scarface† Capone and Tony â€Å"The Big Tuna† Accardo (Arduini). From my personal experience, I can say that within the Italian-American culture nicknames have a much sweeter significance. Since very large, extended Italian families all were apt to dwell in close proximity to one another, nicknames were traditionally used to distinguish one branch of a family from another, and/or one individual from another (Addario and Rulli). Another very good reason for the use of nicknames comes from the â€Å"rigor of most Italian naming traditions† (Arduini). The first-born son is to be named after his paternal grandfather, and the second-born son is to be named after his maternal grandfather. Likewise, the first-born daughter is to be named after her paternal grandmother, and the second-born daughter is to be named after her maternal grandmother. The children that follow, â€Å"Lord willing†, are to be named after their godparents, not to mention the naming of children after patron saints. It goes without saying that many family members, and community members, end up with the same names. Obviously this leads to tremendous confusion when families and communiti es are gathered and talking to and about one another, which occurs frequently. Therefore there is actually a desperate need for nicknames. The most basic form of nickname assignment is the tag of â€Å"Big† and â€Å"Little† added to the oldest and youngest carriers of a name (Arduini). Although, since most Italian families are so large, this isn’t always sufficient, so nicknames have to rely on other characteristics. A very convincing example of the role that nicknames play in Italian-American life is portrayed in Pietro di Donato’s novel Christ In

Financial Analysis of Yum Brands

A Financial Analysis of Yum! Brands, Inc Restaurants are, and will continue to be, an extremely profitable business. As a result, shareholders who have interest in brands such as McDonalds and Starbucks need not to worry about negative implications for the food giants compared to more risky industries. One company in particular, Yum! Brands (YUM), is another brand investors should become familiar with. Consumers may recognize the more specific stores the company owns such as Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, but investors should realize the sales and earnings growth associated with this organization.In addition, while there are many companies in the restaurant industry, Yum not only rings familiar with consumers like Starbucks, but Yum engenders excellent financial news at a level above its competitors. However, before trying to access these financial statements, it is important to understand more specifics about Yum's business model. According to Reuters, Yum â€Å"is a quick service restau rant (QSR) with over 34,000 units in more than 100 countries and territories. † These quick service restaurants include consumer favorites such as Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver's, and KFC.Whether the operating segment sells pizza or chicken, â€Å"Yum develops, operates, franchises and licenses a worldwide system of restaurants, which prepare, package and sell a menu of food items. † As each of these fast-food places is obvious to most readers in America, it is also quite interesting that over 100 countries are familiar with these names as well. In fact, segments like KFC were actually introduced in many markets like China before more obvious competitors like McDonalds. Since fast food is generally considered an inelastic, or non-cyclical, good, even during times of economic uncertainty, Yum will prosper.While most of its food is relatively cheap compared to rivals such as Brinker and Darden, consumers will still flock to Yum restaurants in similar volume durin g any stage of the economic cycle. Therefore, revenue growth should continue to remain steady, but positive, year after year making Yum a great portfolio choice at any time. To justify this claim, during the past twelve months, Yum received a revenue figure, according to Reuters, of $9. 56 billion. This number was a 5. 05% increase compared to the previous year number.While this increase in margin was a bit below the average year-to-year increase of 6. 58%, the difference in growth decline was only a 23% difference. Other companies like Brinker saw a 43% deceleration during this same time period. In addition, while some investors may critique the industry 11. 31% growth in sales during the past to Yum's lower numbers, it is also important to realize that Yum supports the seconds highest sales figure in its industry, and appreciation of revenue growth will be much difficult than smaller-capitalization companies to come-by.This is in addition to the fact that many lower-revenue compan ies in this industry are actually seeing negative sales growth (not deceleration) during the same time frame as the aforementioned analysis. With these thoughts on sales at hand, these numbers can be used at the broadest of levels to illustrate that the steady increase and influx of money into Yum over its career has aided in the appreciation of its share price. Since 2003, not once has Yum seen a calendar year decrease in price. This comes with a 25% appreciation in 2006 and a 12% escalation so far in 2007–despite the recent economic turmoil.These sales and share price indications illustrate that Yum will fair very well during all types of economic activity. Nevertheless, revenue cannot be the only financial analysis required to find superior companies. It is vital to understand how efficient a company is in reducing costs and using capital and labor to actually produce the final good. These intangible-sounding comparisons can actually become tangible given the use of margin s. Starting from gross margins, investors should be happy to find out that over the past twelve months, growth at 25. 9% has been higher than the pervious five year average of 24. 82%. While the former is a bit below the industry's average of 29. 04%, it is important to stress that Yum's revenue is the second highest in a fairly large industry, making outstanding margins difficult to come by. Nevertheless, compared to close revenue competitors, Yum's gross margins are better than Starbucks's (23. 62%), Darden's (23. 50%), and Brinker's (16. 42%). In addition, Yum's operating margins of 13. 14% are not only higher than its five year average of 12. 84%, but is doing better than the industry's twelve month margin of only 11. 76%.Moreover, these operating figures for Yum are also better than the same-time period numbers of Starbucks (11. 18%), Darden (9. 53%), and Brinker (7. 87%). While these numbers all indicate growth for Yum, the biggest instrument (that will be justified later with valuation tactics) is earnings differences. Fortunately for Yum, a 16. 27% increase in earnings per share over the past year is 29. 74% higher that the company's five year average increase. Compared to competitors, all three of Brinker, Darden, and Starbucks saw a deceleration of earnings growth last year, and none of these yearly increases matched the top-revenue producer, Yum.While there is clear evidence that Yum is great growth story, some investors may wonder whether Yum is overvalued given its success. Fortunately for these investors, this is not the case. In fact, some potential shareholders may make the claim that Yum is undervalued. Currently the industry has a P/E multiple of 31. 88 and a price to sales ratio of 2. 10. However, if analyst expectations are correct or and underestimate actual results (5/5 and 4/5 correct or below last five quarters for EPS and sales respectively), Yum sees a forward price to sales ratio 1. 9 and price to earnings ratio of 20. 18. Now while these numbers are not extraordinarily undervalued, as companies like Darden have slightly lower figures, compared to the industry as a whole and competitors like Starbucks (2. 25 price to sales and 31. 48 price to earnings), Yum's valuation is far from being labeled as a negative characteristic. Therefore, given good growth reports and not too much speculation relative to share price, there is strong news from both further financial achievement and valuation.However, before reaching a final conclusion, there are some other indicators to look at. One of these criteria is management efficiency. According to Reuters, Yum had seen a 60. 80% ROE figure for the past twelve months. While a bit smaller than the five year average, the number easily obliterates the industrial average and all three aforementioned market-cap competitors. This figure illustrates that Yum is not only increasing its net profit year after year, but helping investors by purchasing back some of its stock. Although ca pital spending is a bit below industrial averages at -0. 0% over the past five years for Yum, the company still has a healthy balance sheet of cash, especially compared to its price (undervalued). In addition, efficiency also comes from the company's turnover ratios. Receivable turnover at 41. 62%, inventory turnover at 80. 93%, and asset turnover at 1. 61% are all quite above the industrial averages and many competitor averages as well. Solvency with a current ratio of 0. 59 is quite low, but inline relative to the rest of the industry, but fast food restaurants need not to worry too much about liquidating assets.In addition, 83. 13% of equity for Yum is owned by institutional investors. This number is above the industrial figure at 74. 07% and also above Darden's and Starbuck's respective numbers. While there are many intelligent retail investors, having the real experts in institutional investors carry the bulk of the company shows optimism for future performance. And in addition al to this control, another enticement in a 1. 81% dividend yield should also help investors relay this company into more hands at a higher share price.Looking at the business model and fundamental features, there is strong evidence to support that investing in this company will yield strong returns. Technically speaking, the share price of Yum just recently crossed both the 50 day SMA and EMA–a bullish signal, and while there is encouragement to invest any time to profit from this company, now would be an almost ideal situation. Therefore, with the above information provided to benefit long term investors, it is closely assured that investing in YUM! Brands will produce genteel capital gains for shareholders. Article Source: http://EzineArticles. com/712239

Do Not Go Gentle Beowulf, Rhetorical Analysis - 904 Words

â€Å"Do Not Go Gentle† Beowulf, Rhetorical Analysis Life and death are two of the most extensive topics that could be discussed. In regards to â€Å"Do Not Go Gentle†, Dylan Thomas articulates his sincere message on man’s great journey and his demise through the use of expansive literary devices; with the use of riveting rhetoric, the author of Beowulf clearly expresses his view on these broad topics thoroughly. By complimenting the content of their work with the allusive message of the way a man’s life should be led, both authors appeal to the readers’ sense of reason. Although the authors’ incorporate their messages similarly into their own text, some of their views contrast in nature due to the culture that produced it. The author†¦show more content†¦The author achieves his goal of communicating his message through the use of literary techniques. Both Beowulf and â€Å"Do Not Go Gentle† use effective rhetorical methods to express their message, yet the messages themselves differ. Since Beowulf was written between the eighth and eleventh century, the author’s view of life and death was different from Dylan Thomas’ view. In Beowulf, the concept of becoming renown by accomplishing heroic deeds and disregarding death was the norm. Whereas in present day, people are very cautious of death and focus on preserving their lives until death comes. The culture of the author’s plays a huge role in the nature of the communicated ideas. The concepts of life and death can be portrayed using numerous literary devices and embellished ideas. The author of Beowulf entirely uses enhanced literary techniques to express ideas because it is an advanced rhetoric; Dylan Thomas also integrates accelerated rhetorical devices to express his ideas on life into his poetry so that the reader’s emotions are touched by the author. Both authors make sure that their messages are fully incorporated into the text so that the readers can take something away from their work. Although the authors use various forms of literary devices to express their ideas, the nature of their message is relatively concrete in regards to the different cultures they experienced in their lives. Life and death are two vast concepts that will never have one