Week 11 EOC: Where Are You Gong?

I as a Fashion Designer major, I have gotten an opportunity after grad a beginning job in a manufacturing. If I work for this company for five years, I can gain the experience I need to move forward with more opportunities that require experience before hand. My ultimate goal is to work for a company called Modcloth, a very vintage orientated boutique.

 We’re committed to inspiring personal style and helping our community and customers feel like the best version of themselves. - Modcloth

If I gain a better opportunity with Modcloth, that would be beneficial on many levels. But I have my options open to staying with the manufacturing company or going to Tatyana's. Another boutique that specializes in vintage wear, there located in Vegas and I have had the pleasure of touring their facility. As well as meet the assist manager of the place.

We are an American upscale fashion brand that that specializes in rockabilly dresses, retro shoes, vintage t-shirts, pin up dresses, pinup accessories and more. We are the go-to destination for fashion that is inspired by 1950’s clothing. - Tatyana's

I also have a good friend of mine wo wants to do a business partnership, start a Etsy and sell designs. Or possibly open a store in California, she wants me to do Print design work for her. Which is a plus, if all else fails. My backup plan was to enlist and do alteration work during that time in the military. I am optimistic none the less, and I have many skills and talents. I can always use those to my advantage and make one of them work in my favor.

“Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.”
― Christian D. Larson

Week 9 EOC: the Apartment

The classic film "The Apartment", showed some examples of Sexual Harassment and Legal issues. Such as three counts of Quid Pro Quo, Fraternization, Physical Abuse, Hostile Work Environment, Bribery, Retaliation, Personal Business on Work hours, Invasion of Personal Information, and Attempted Suicide. I'll be focusing on the Sexual Harassment this movie presents minutes in the beginning. 

Quid pro quo (sexual harassment):

Harassment that occurs when a supervisor behaves in a way or demands actions from an employee that forces the employee to decide between giving in to sexual demands or losing her or his job, losing job benefits or promotion, or otherwise suffering negative consequences.

The Main character lets his higher ups use his small apartment to commit affairs and sexual acts. So that he may get promoted to better position, once he gets said position. His boss only gave it to him to also take advantage of the opportunity to have an affair himself at his apartment. The boss uses the apartment on a regular biases, to where now his higher ups cant access it anymore. So they threaten him, on business hours none the less.

Implicit (threat):

A threatening act that is implied rather than expressly stated. For example, the statement: “I'd watch my back if I were you!” said in a menacing voice by one employee to another.

Workplace violence:

Any act in which a person is abused, threatened, intimidated, or assaulted in his or her place of employment.

Another situation that arises is that the same girl who is in an "other woman" for the boss, is also the main characters love interest. He takes his constant commitment to getting the girl to far in one scene, telling her that he knows everything about her. Even her Social Security Number, which turns the romantic jester creepy in five seconds flat.

Stalking:

The unauthorized following and surveillance of an individual, to the extent that the person's privacy is unacceptably intruded upon, and the victim fears for his or her safety. In the workplace, those who know, but do not necessarily work with, the victim most commonly exhibit this form of harassment.

This film is really amazing and gets its message across of how Sexual Harassment is an issue that exist to this day. The main character realizes that the job isn't worth holding on to, and wins his girl in the end. They both quit, because a job that pays good isn't worth being treated like an object then a human being.

Week 1 EOC: Great Customer Service

Most of my experiences with great customer service, has always been in the food service scene. For example, the Taco Bell on Warm Springs has a certain cheery, enthusiastic, corky environment. They make is priority that customers leave feeling welcomed and happy. They achieve that very well, so much so I'm a returning customer to that particular establishment location.

Hospitality industry: The range of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations that provide lodging and/or accommodations including food services for people when they are away from their homes.

There was one incident where there was a late night rush, me and a friend of mine ordered a small meal. But it was going to take them longer then expected, once we got to the window they started up interesting conversations. Keeping humor in the entire time to calm any impatient customer, which is a good tactic in communication skills. They made light of the stressful situation turning it to a fun one.

Corporate culture: Shared beliefs, experiences, and norms that influence how things are done within an organization.

One thing that I find quite fantastic at this Taco Bell, They take a sharpie and draw a small smiley face with the word "enjoy". You can tell these employees take good care of every customer making them feel special and important to their company.

Resources: What an organization has available to achieve goals. Examples include people (human resources), money, time, machinery, processes and procedures, energy (utilities), and products such as food, beverages, and supplies.

Week 8 EOC: 9 to 5, Workplace Harassment

There were some outstanding issues and problems themed into the classic film "9 to 5". Many involving men having some sort of superiority over women based on sex alone. Women in this movie are put second, so sexist elements are very predominant. There were some legal situations happening the entire time as well, such as thievery, forgery, and bribery.

Quid pro quo (sexual harassment):

 Quid pro quo literally means “something for something.” Harassment that occurs when a supervisor behaves in a way or demands actions from an employee that forces the employee to decide between giving in to sexual demands or losing her or his job, losing job benefits or promotion, or otherwise suffering negative consequences.

 The boss in particular, would not promote the individuals whom earned it. Instead he would speak about his employees in a degrading manner, which is very demeaning being as he is the boss. He also terminates a female worker for bringing up salary and wages in a conversation. He uses quite offensive terms as well.

Sexual Harassment involves unwelcome words, deeds, actions, gestures, symbols, or behaviors of a sexual nature that make the target feel uncomfortable. Gender and sexual orientation harassment fall into this form of harassment.

Another issue raised was work place hostility, the boss has created an atmosphere where employees are not human. These employees are degraded, taken for granted, and a feeling of unworthiness to the company as a team. He acts unprofessional, and plainly disrespectful towards every individual he is in charge of.

Hostile work environment (sexual harassment): infused with intimidation, ridicule, and insult that is severe or pervasive enough to create a seriously uncomfortable or abusive working environment with conduct severe enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating (hostile).

Week 1 EOC: My Vioce

As a Fashion Designer attending the Art Institute of Las Vegas, I’m currently studying for a Bachelors of Arts. I am very interested into going into the market of Vintage wear. I came to study this program straight after high school with four years’ experience in an Air Force Jr. Reserved Office Training Corps (AFJROTC) program. I went to college before I decide whether or not to possibly enlist or explore other talents I have.

“I am my best and worse critic when it comes to my own work.”

For example, I so happen to be a published writer on a poetry cite called DeepUnderGroundPoetry. So I’d like to think that I am not just a “one trick” pony when it comes to certain things I enjoy greatly. I particularly like to take part in varies types of art and expression. I live by that “try it once and maybe you’ll like it” moto when it comes to new experiences and ventures.

“If you never try, you’ll never know”

Week 7 EOC: Profile Statement

The first step to having a good Resume is a good profile statement. Three sentence that are designed to sell yourself as a potential employee to an employer of a certain company. Here are some examples of some that could possibly work as a acceptable Profile Statement.

Example 1:
"An educated Fashion Designer who understands the concept of the Technical and Creative side of Industry. I am a consistent hard worker who looks for new opportunities to gain more skills and knowledge. A outstanding individual who completes a given project to its end result."

Adding new words and shuffling sentences around for different variations could make the statement sound better.

Example 2:
"A capable Fashion Designer who has learned the concept of the industry Technical and Creative aspects. An individual who is persistent in her work and projects, to complete them to there end product. One who seeks to obtain new opportunities at any given moment to further her skills and knowledge."

Using more complex wording can also give the statement more meaning to it as well.

Example 3:
"An Inspired Fashion Designer who desires to further her knowledge in the Technical and Creative sides of the Industry. A determined individual who executes her work and projects to the very end. On who seeks to gain new opportunities to better her skills and knowledge on a first hand basis."

Remember the first thing an employer reads is the Statement, so sell what you as an individual has to offer for their company. Point out keys points of you as a person, who you are and aim to be. Also make it clear to them, what you have to offer to them from the rest of the candidates. Its important to make yourself seem the better or best choice out of the competitors.

Week 6 EOC: Modcloth, Print Designer

I am qualified to be a Print Designer, I have experience in Photoshop, Illustrator, and various types of Art rendering skills. I have knowledge in Digital Textiles Design, Surface Design, and Fashion Sketching. I am very knowledgeable of Modcloth and its Community, for I am a loyal customer. I also have knowledge in Vintage, and trends from ever time period. One of my favorite Pin-up artists is Gil Elvgren.

Print Designer
 Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States
Company: ModCloth

ModCloth, is a digital-first lifestyle brand that promotes inspiration from personal styles and helps its customers feel like the best version of themselves. ModCloth offers a unique design aesthetic that features feminine silhouettes, bright, and colorful prints. The company designs, as well as sells its own exclusive lines of apparel in a full range of sizes. Modcloth carries a wonderful assortment of fashion and home decor from over a hundred independent designers.

ModCloth is looking for a talented individual to be a Print Designer to join our LA team. The person who qualifies for this role will work along side with the Design team on all aspects of print and pattern design development. This is a new role that will regularly report to the Fashion Director and will collaborate with our Designers for a direct impact on our seasonal print and pattern offerings.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Designers to create original prints and select/update bought and vintage prints as needed to support our seasonal trends and concepts
• Create seasonal and trend appropriate color palettes with our Fashion Director
• Create print packages for all artwork needs for tech pack and product development
• Manage and meet deadlines for artwork development
• Create and subsequently manage the print and pattern library

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in print design within the fashion industry
• Extremely talented hand and computer artist
• Ability to find or create repeats as needed
• Excited to create artworks in a variety of styles and from various inspiration
• Uncanny ability to research trends, techniques, and market changes in print design
• Deep understanding of and interest in vintage periods of prints
• Must have understanding of the ModCloth brand and community

Week 3 EOC: Workplace Fairness

Workplace Fairness would be sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), because they can assist in protecting your right as an employee against a company of unfair discrimination. NELA can help build a case and evaluate it, as well as offer any other legal actions one may need in the future as a worker.

Working with Employment Lawyers:

• Do I Need a Lawyer?
• Will a Lawyer Take My Case?
• Find an Employment Attorney

Working with Government Agencies:

• Filing Claims with Government Agencies
• Federal Agencies
• State Agencies

Going to Court:

• Attorney Fees
• Class Actions
• Damages
• Employee Bankruptcy and Lawsuits
• Employer Bankruptcy and Lawsuits
• Mitigation
• Settlements
• Taxation

This is only one out of many options and opportunities that Workplace Fairness offers on their site. They also list information of the following topics that apply to your rights as an employee. Such information as Hiring & Classifications, Discrimination, Harassment & other Workplace Problems, Unpaid Wages/Wage & Hour Problems, Benefits & Leaves, Privacy & Workplace Surveillance, Health & Safety/Workplace Injuries, Whistleblowing & Retaliation, Unions & Collective Action, Termination, And lastly Unemployment.
Termination & Unemployment

Saving Your Job

Leaving Your Job

Wrongful Termination

At-Will Employment

Plant Closings / Mass Layoffs

Severance

References

Coping With Job Loss

Sample References

Federal Employees - Discipline / Removal

Personnel Files

General Information About Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Eligibility

Unemployment Amount Calculation

Unemployment Appeals

Unemployment Discrimination

Filing an Unemployment Claim in Your State

Another feature Workplace Fairness Offers is Programs, Which state their Publications, Products and Services, Website Tools, Other Programs, and Former Programs.

Job Hunting Resources

"Workplace Fairness understands how difficult a job search is in today’s ever changing economic environment.

We have found some job hunting resources you may wish to consider using in your job quest. We have negotiated with many of these vendors to give you a 10% discount on the services or products you may need in your job search. Not all have agreed at this time; however, we are continually working on this arrangement.

We have also put together a collection of some complimentary services for your review."

I believe that most individuals who visit Workplace Fairness would utilize it for Unemployment Benefit purposes. Since employees and employers can now leave a job without two weeks noticed and without reason. Which happens a lot in many businesses and companies. Definitely a very helpful cite to use in case. 

Week 4 EOC: Hiring, The Main Appealing Factors

Physical attractiveness can be a major factor for the companies branding, for example casinos on the Strip would want attractive women and men for front positions. Depending on the job, I will cover some controllable and uncontrollable situations and ways to manage them. Such issues like tattoos, hygiene, and scars. These are all things we come into contact to when looking for a possible job or position.

"Physical characteristics are defining traits or features about your body. The first thing you see when you look at someone could be their hair, clothes, nose, or figure."

For starters, tattoos could be appropriate if an employee was applying to be a tattoo artist at a local tattoo shop. In other cases, jobs tend to require a employee with ink to cover the tattoos. Same for scars, this would apply if the employee works closely with the customer and clients on a regular basis. Otherwise if an employer were to turn down an employee for scars or tattoo's I suggest looking into the companies policy on these subjects. So one can avoid applying to such a place who ave restrictions.

"There are actual companies who have manufactured and designed tattoo cover-ups for full sleeves."

As for hygiene, it can be a sensitive subject when confronting employee's with. This is usually brought up during orientation, Supervisors are the ones to go to if any question involving the topic of how an employee should look. Supervisors can give gentle reminders is to employee's to keep up with personal grooming. Some could say it is common sense to keep oneself in good condition.

"Dress to Impress."

These are some ideas and examples of handling these factors effectively in the workplace. Ways to fix and avoid certain situations without confrontation. Remember these are things covered during orientation, employee handbooks, and interview. But it is always good to ask questions with your supervisors on such topics. They are always a reliable source, and more informative.

Week 2 EOC: HR in Action

The supervisor to this hotel, did inform Donna of what the hotel will be like during this heavy work-flow. And needed all employee's to attend to work as scheduled, Donna did mention and tried to corporate with her supervisor with coming to a reasonable conclusion to this dilemma. As Donna called in before her scheduled worked hours because of "sickness" to attend her daughters graduation. It caused other employee's to preform her tasks while absent.

                "Failure to report to work within 24 hours of a request to report"

I feel as though Donna's supervisor should of set her off with a warning system. Then proceed from there with a possible suspension from work hours for period of time. Her supervisor also did not inform Donna of her termination, they could have informed of her up and coming termination from the job two weeks early. So that Donna will be prepared to search, as well as establish a new job with another company.

  "Absence from work for one (1) or more consecutive days without excuse acceptable to the company "

Since Donna has reported been to have nine years of excellent work and attendance. She wouldn't have to apply for unemployment if this method had been in place during this dilemma. This was certainly a first time thing for Donna to call to work for a day off, and it was for a family event. Donna could have also made it clear as referring to this event to a "family emergency."

"Habitual tardiness"

Donna was informed of her termination, the day after the graduation (the day she called off). Therefor, the hotel would technically have to pay Donna's benefit for unemployment compensation. The hotel would definitely be held responsible due to the supervisor's decision regardless of diminishing the supervisor's image at the workplace. But would reflect on the hotel as a whole legally in court, Donna would be in the right.

Week 1 EOC: Best and Worst Jobs

I currently work at The Art Institute of Las Vegas, as a Sewing Lab Assistant. What I am required to do is, maintain, report, and clean the industrial machinery & workplace. The job is very much a work study, in which I do take advantage of on many occasions to complete assignments. Over the course of the job, I am expected to aid fellow students. With any issue they may encounter with sewing or other fashion related questions. This job is the best in the sense of a direct and repeatable section to the Fashion Design majors.

"How their work is managed (facilitated) directly impacts the success or failure of the organization." 

But, there is a flip-side to this job that i had to experience two months into the course of me working here. One, I came into the job half-way into the quarter which caused my paychecks to come later then expected. Two, My first check was mailed to me as all jobs do during the first time a worker is being paid. Three, My check somehow got lost so I had to go through some troubling paperwork to obtain my entire pay by the 25 of December. Although I did get paid for my hours, I was still missing my first weeks pay. 

"However, human resources concerns ranging from compensation and benefits to opportunities for training and professional development, as well as beliefs about how they fit into the organization, are important to many staff members."

In my opinion, the job is great because I'm able to work on assignments and it works around my scheduled classes. The only down side was that small inconvenience with paperwork and obtaining my paycheck before Christmas.And of course the problem was fixed in due time, with the help from my manager and supervisor. In all, the pay is good for a ten hour job with a pay of $8.25 per hour. A student like me can't necessarily complain or critique my job to harshly. I'm still new and have much to experience with this job, so far its been good.

"Work procedures that are designed with (or without) input from applicable personnel, the extent to which equipment is used to ease physical work tasks and the amount of employee empowerment, if any, impact how work is done and, in turn, required human resources activities."