Why is it important to know whether a worker should be treated as an employee rather than as an independent contractor?
What are the key indicia of being an employee as opposed to an independent contractor?
What is an employment contract and how is it established?
How should a Christian business person interact with unions or with unionized employees?
Why did Unions become popular?
Why is it necessary for government to regulate union activity?
Do unions serve an important role in our society today?
Explain the impact of the adversarial system in labor/management relations and what advantages and disadvantages would exist in a cooperative system.
Why should we have different rules regarding private and public sector labor relations?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Employment Status and Labor Relations
Importance of Distinguishing Between Employee and Independent Contractor
Understanding whether a worker should be classified as an employee or an independent contractor is crucial for several reasons:
1. Legal Implications: Employees are entitled to certain protections and benefits under labor laws, including minimum wage, overtime pay, health insurance, and unemployment benefits. Independent contractors do not have these same rights, which can lead to significant legal ramifications for employers if misclassification occurs.
2. Tax Obligations: Employers are responsible for withholding payroll taxes, Social Security, and Medicare contributions for employees. Independent contractors are responsible for their own taxes, which shifts the burden of tax compliance.
3. Liability Issues: Employees are often covered by employer liability insurance, while independent contractors may not be. Misclassification can expose businesses to liability risks if a contractor is injured on the job.
4. Company Culture and Control: The relationship dynamics differ significantly; employers have more control over employees regarding schedules, work processes, and behavioral expectations, whereas independent contractors typically retain autonomy over how they complete their work.
Key Indicia of Employee vs. Independent Contractor
Several factors help determine whether a worker is classified as an employee or an independent contractor:
1. Control: Employees are subject to the employer’s control over how and when their work is performed. Independent contractors have more independence in determining how they complete their work.
2. Financial Investment: Independent contractors often invest in their own tools and equipment, while employees typically use tools provided by the employer.
3. Opportunity for Profit or Loss: Independent contractors can experience profits or losses based on their business decisions, while employees generally receive a fixed wage irrespective of the business’s performance.
4. Duration of Relationship: Employees usually have a longer-term relationship with the employer, while independent contractors are often engaged for specific projects or limited timeframes.
5. Integration: If a worker’s services are an integral part of the employer’s business, they are more likely to be classified as an employee.
Employment Contract: Definition and Establishment
An employment contract is a formal agreement between an employer and an employee outlining the terms of employment. It typically includes:
– Job responsibilities
– Compensation and benefits
– Duration of employment (if applicable)
– Confidentiality agreements
– Termination clauses
Establishment of an Employment Contract
An employment contract can be established through:
1. Written Agreement: A formal document signed by both parties detailing the terms of the employment.
2. Verbal Agreement: Though less formal and harder to enforce, a verbal agreement can still constitute a contract if both parties agree on terms.
3. Implied Agreement: Sometimes, an employment contract can be inferred from actions, statements, or practices that indicate mutual intent to form an employment relationship.
Christian Business Person’s Interaction with Unions
A Christian business person should approach unions and unionized employees with respect and openness, recognizing the importance of collective bargaining as a means for workers to advocate for their rights and well-being. Key principles include:
1. Fairness: Treating all employees equitably and with dignity.
2. Collaboration: Seeking cooperative solutions that honor both the needs of the business and the rights of workers.
3. Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in negotiations and interactions with union representatives.
4. Empathy: Understanding the concerns of workers and their motivations for unionization.
Popularity of Unions
Unions became popular in response to the poor working conditions, long hours, low wages, and lack of worker rights during the Industrial Revolution. Workers organized to gain collective bargaining power to negotiate better conditions, fair pay, and job security.
Government Regulation of Union Activity
Government regulation of union activity is necessary to ensure:
1. Fair Practices: To prevent abuses such as unfair labor practices by either employers or unions.
2. Balance of Power: To maintain equilibrium in labor relations, ensuring that neither party has undue influence over the other.
3. Worker Rights: To protect the rights of workers to organize and bargain collectively without fear of retaliation.
Role of Unions in Society Today
Unions still serve an important role in society today by:
1. Advocating for Workers’ Rights: They continue to fight for fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions.
2. Promoting Economic Equality: Unions contribute to reducing income inequality through collective bargaining.
3. Political Influence: They provide a voice for workers in political matters affecting labor laws and regulations.
Impact of Adversarial vs. Cooperative Labor Relations
Adversarial System
The adversarial system in labor/management relations often leads to conflict where both sides view each other as opponents. This can result in:
Advantages:
– Clear representation of interests for each side.
– Encouragement of negotiation to reach compromises.
Disadvantages:
– Increased tensions and potential strikes or lockouts.
– Focus on winning rather than collaboration which can hinder long-term relationships.
Cooperative System
A cooperative system emphasizes collaboration between labor and management:
Advantages:
– Builds trust and fosters long-term relationships.
– Encourages joint problem-solving leading to innovative solutions.
Disadvantages:
– May require more time and effort to reach consensus.
– Risk of compromising too much on critical issues.
Different Rules for Private vs. Public Sector Labor Relations
Different rules regarding private and public sector labor relations are necessary because:
1. Public Interest: Public sector workers often provide essential services that affect public welfare, necessitating different regulations to maintain service continuity.
2. Funding Sources: Public sector unions may negotiate with taxpayer-funded budgets, requiring greater scrutiny and accountability compared to private sector negotiations.
3. Legal Protections: Public employees often have additional protections under law that may not apply in the private sector, reflecting societal values about public service.
In summary, understanding the complexities surrounding employment classification, labor relations, and unions is essential for fostering fair workplaces that respect both employee rights and organizational goals.
