Whistleblowing and the Sarbanes

Whistleblowing and the Sarbanes The Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act was enacted with the aim of improving accountability, transparency and outright disclosure of financial information in publicly-traded companies. Whistle blowers are also protected by the same Ac t in section 1107. This brief essay explores a recent whistle blowing incident at the department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and relates the occurrence with provisions of SOX.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Whistleblowing and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One of the dominant characteristics of a whistleblower is that the individual is usually altruistically motivated. In other words, it is not possible to whistle blow against wrong doings in an organization without the element of motivation. In any case, whistleblowing is a risky undertaking owing to the underlying consequences. Second, utilitarianism is a common characteristic of most whistle blowers. This refers to a state whereby a person values normative ethics more than hiding the truth. Hence, such individuals are eager to optimize utility within their areas of influence or operation. Lack of suffering, economic wellbeing and pleasure are some of the key components of utility. Third, whistle blowers are not interested in changing their behaviors and that is why they act with an independent mind. They are self-driven. They also permit personal attitudes and beliefs to propel their actions. In most instances, whistle blowers are well-informed, educated and intelligent individuals who are well versed with knowledge from a particular discipline.  In June 2014, it was established that the Department of Veteran Affairs in the United States had been engaging in acts of sabotaging the views of staff members regarding its operations (Lichtblaujune, 2014). For example, falsified patient appointment program had been rife at the department for a long. Individuals who would attempt to raise their voices concerning malpractices in the department would be severely disciplined or even released from their jobs. Both former and current members of staff at the department recorded the same concerns. The fake scheduling books coupled with longer waiting times for patients were two major scandals affecting the reputation of V.A. as a result, several complaints regarding these improper practices have been forwarded to external whistle blower groups, lawmakers, unions and a number of federal watchdogs.Advertising Looking for research paper on business corporate law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Due to the whistle blowing incidence, the Veterans Affairs chief was compelled to resign and investigations started immediately. The whistle blowers did not suffer any consequence. They only faced retaliation actions when they were still active in employment.  The whistle blowers were indeed justified in reporting the malpr actices at the Veterans Affairs department because the vice reflected wrong information on the operations of the department. It aggravated service delivery to clients and worsened workplace relationship of employees. Citing doctor shortage as the reason for long wait by patients was just an excuse to cover up the scandal.  Second, employees who ever reported the vice in the past were victimized. Tis implied that the action was not good at all. Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the whistle blowers could have been protected in a number of ways (Lenn, 2013). For instance, section 1107 of the Act prefers a criminal charge for any public officer who victimizes a whistle blower. Employees who have been threatened with either firing or demotion at VA would not have feared reporting the on-going scandal because any person charged with the offence of retaliating would face a criminal offence. The executive organ of the Veteran Affairs would have feared to face criminal charges leveled against them owing to retaliation attempts. In addition, the new piece of legislation would have compelled the management team of the VA to disclose all accounting information to the benefit of whistleblowers. Owing to such provisions in place, it would have been quite restrictive for the executive organ at VA to threaten, dismiss or even abuse the basic right of employees in the organization. References Lenn, L. E. (2013). Sarbanes- oxley act 2002 (SOX) 10 years later. Journal of Legal Issues and Cases in Business, 2 (1), 1-14. Lichtblaujune, E. (2014). V.A. Punished Critics on Staff, Doctors Assert. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/16/us/va-punished-critics-on-staff-doctors-assert.html?ref=topics

Personality and Memory essays

Personality and Memory essays What constitutes a human is not simply given. It is also created by us. (Kennan Malik) The memory affects our personality because our memory, the mental capability of recalling past experiences (www.dictionary.com), forms from our environment, which causes our traits and behavior to develop or alter, thus, affecting our personality. Personality is the sum of the patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are characteristics of a person. However when describing someones personality they are often referring to the difference of the level of traits we have. We all have the same traits; the only difference is that each of us has a different level of each trait. (Pervin, Lawrence A.) An example would be that if two children, Jack and Jill, were playing with a toy and you took the toy away. Jack might start to yell and cry and Jill might just make a mean face, grab another toy, and start to play with it. Jack would have shown high levels of aggressiveness, and Jill would have shown low levels of aggressiveness, even though both traits were apparent. Although everyone has a unique personality, we all have the same traits, just different levels of each. The environment and hereditary means are mainly the two factors that contribute to developing a persons personality. (Pervin, Lawrence A.) The environment consists of people, experiences, situations and places. A change in personality can be a cause of a physical or mental problem such as dementias associated with Alzheimer's, AIDS, strokes, a brain tumor or head injury, alcohol or drug abuse, adverse effects of medications or, depression, a traumatic event, and other stress related issues. (uihealthcare.com/topics/symptoms/symp3223.html) The personality is the way we behave, think and feel because of the different levels of traits that have been acquired through the environment or through hereditary means. ...

Decision Making Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 1

Decision Making Process - Essay Example Doing this entails a thorough understanding of the micro and macro environment that defines the given consumers that a firm needs to serve. The most important point to note is the fact that consumer buying choices and decisions making process are things that get influenced by external factors which need to be handled by internal processes that could take place through social interactions. Consumer decision-making process has more to do with the patterns of behaviour that are preceded by consumers, determining and making them follow certain decisions with the sole aim of satisfying their individual or group needs based on products and services (Wu-Chung & Tzung-Cheng, 2010, pp.3530-3540). The mortgage market is experiencing numerous changes and has grown more volatile following the current financial crisis that has been most of the times blamed on poor handling of mortgages by various firms and stakeholders. This paper looks at the consumer decision-making process for the purchase of an appropriate mortgage following acquisition of some sufficient capital sourced from an uncle. The transaction will thus be analysed based on this theory in order to establish what went on as far as my decision-making process was concerned regarding the mortgage transaction. ... I happened to get enough information regarding the mortgage market, something that I do often before engaging myself into a purchasing process. First I sought credibility of this company as the dealer in mortgages. I then went to the industry analysis on the mortgages. I wanted also to take advantage of any incentives that would have come with choosing the best mortgage dealer. Many companies do provide mortgages but differ in various issues especially rates charged on these mortgages. There are repayment mortgages and interest only mortgages. I realized that interest on mortgages played a very important role in the choice of mortgage option. I also learnt of the mortgage regulation by the Financial Services Authority which sees to it that confidence in the financial system is maintained, public understanding is promoted, consumers are well protected and that financial crimes are avoided. There are also high interest rates on the mortgages placed by banks because of the need to cut o n liquidity in the market (London & Country Mortgages, 2011). I then had to make my decision on the mortgage choice and payment. This is where things became hot! Decision-Making Process on Purchase of an Appropriate Mortgage Property in London A consumer undergoes various stages in his or her buying decision-making process which are comprised of motivation to buy the product or service, problem or need recognition that is to be addressed, search for information, evaluating alternatives that are available in the market, and making a final purchase based on the choice made. Rational decision theory indicates that consumers as decision-makers do make many strategies and tend to use some logical procedures aimed at solving

One Item of Either Hindu or Buddhist Teaching that is Most in Conflict Assignment

One Item of Either Hindu or Buddhist Teaching that is Most in Conflict with your Own Convictions - Assignment Example This way, after the soul has experienced many lives that affect the next ones in series which the soul eventually proceeds to manage with higher wisdom, the ultimate state of perfection is then achieved. On the other hand the Bible, or the Holy Scriptures, affirms that each man is identified with a single soul which does not take any other form, but belongs to the same man alone even after death or the Day of Judgment in which his soul is assessed with respect to this mans account of living, whether good or bad. Instead of karma, by Christian faith, I believe that human efforts of striving to be good would be futile without the grace of God. Because of the Creators love of His creation, every human being is permitted to act according to free will while still on earth since God does not demand obligatorily for faith to be devoted Him by those who do not discern His nature by heart completely. He is rather pleased that men, beyond their reverence toward His divinity, find the essence in establishing a more profound sense of connection with Him so that it becomes spontaneous to act with righteousness. It turns out that for Hinduists, it is only possible to attain spirituality after the complex undertaking during reincarnation. Apparently, the higher significance is placed on depending upon individual efforts at seeking to be good in the Hindu tradition whereas Christians recognize the truth in human weakness and Gods forgiveness that redeems man from wages of sin once they are humble enough to repent and restore fellowship and communication with God as stated in the Bible. Christian teaching designates one man for every soul and the principle of  God's plan of salvation that renders any other means void of effect at obtaining divine fulfillment necessitates not for a soul to take any other form, signifying how God intended for every one of us to be special.