StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Discrimination in the Workplace - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Discrimination in the Workplace" describes that when there are sincere differences of opinion there must be an element of give and take, and little is to be gained by reiterating entrenched attitudes without a real justification that what is claimed is, in fact, true…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97% of users find it useful
Discrimination in the Workplace
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Discrimination in the Workplace"

The subject of this reflection is a female medical imaging student who, on occasion, is required to work in an operating theatre where aseptic conditions are maintained.

The fact that she can wear her shoes without modification seems illogical. The student feels disgruntled since hospital rules only allow these items and the “theatre suits” to be worn within the hospital. The fact that surgeons and other members of the medical staff often come in and out of the hospital without changing their clothes - and without being challenged – is, in her opinion, discriminatory and carries a risk of infection. To understand her feelings and to see if they are justified, it is necessary to reflect on the contributory factors. They fall into three categories [1] religious [2] surgical [3] integration.

In the first place the Quran does not require a Muslim woman to wear the hijab [headscarf] (Syed, 2001), the idea of compulsion generally derives from family or social pressures. Yet, even in Muslim countries some 30-40 years ago women frequently went out unveiled as they did in the UK to show their emancipation (Johnson, 2007). Five years ago, however, almost every Muslim woman wore a headscarf; this time to display allegiances – pride in their heritage and ethnicity. So, while there may be pressures, wearing a headscarf is a matter of choice and proclamation. It has been accepted that while the United Kingdom is essentially a Christian country [72%], Muslims are the second most numerous faiths [2.7%] (Marsh, 2008), and many concessions have been made to accommodate and respect their beliefs.

THE HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT
Within the hospital, there are many different regions: from the public areas where there are no restrictions on what clothes may be worn, through the “work areas” - where access is generally restricted to people who undertake specified activities, such as testing or evaluation, and where some form of hospital uniform is worn – to the operating theatres, in which a completely sterile field is maintained (Austin, 2009). The achievement of an aseptic field entails several procedures: washing the hands and arms to the elbows, donning a sterile gown, covering the head with a sterile cap, and wearing approved footwear. Many hospitals in the UK and Ireland have introduced disposable surgical caps and headscarves (Bradley, 2006; Austin, 2009) and, in some cases, have permitted Muslim women to wear their scarves underneath the latter, and also to wear their footwear. Some of these procedures do involve exposing areas of skin but, although such sensitivities should be understood, the overriding requirement must be the maintenance of sterile conditions, and the nursing and medical staff must accept that these procedures are not discriminatory, but insisted upon out of concern for patient safety.
It should therefore be possible to introduce, and enforce, a set of rules to the effect that all staff in the operating theatre use sterile procedures and clothing, some of which may be worn when leaving the area, but must be discarded and replaced on re-entering. This should also apply to footwear. Whilst it is recognized that surgical staff are the most frequent transgressors in this respect, the responsibility for enforcing these rules lies with the Director of Surgery and the CEO.

INTEGRATION
Having said that, it would seem appropriate to suggest that it is not the business of the student to begin his or her career by setting out to criticize the habits of other healthcare professionals as this only serves to antagonize them. A more subtle approach, and more effective, is to “learn the trade” as enthusiastically and diligently as possible. By so doing the student will not only become proficient in her/his profession more rapidly but will be recognised as such and therefore be able to obtain a sympathetic hearing. It would also be prudent to seek the advice of the local Muslim agencies to seek how any such problems could be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Reflective writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/other/1415908-reflective-writing
(Reflective Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
https://studentshare.org/other/1415908-reflective-writing.
“Reflective Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/other/1415908-reflective-writing.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Discrimination in the Workplace

Religious Discrimination in the Workplace

The idea of this paper "Religious Discrimination in the Workplace" emerged from the author's interest and fascination in whether wearing a headscarf or other religious clothing is a religious observance for purposes of Title VII (42 U.... Research Table of Contents Part I: Research 3 Step 2 3 Religious Discrimination in the Workplace 3 Step 3 5 Webb v.... eligious Discrimination in the Workplace ... “Questions and Answers: Religious Discrimination in the Workplace”). ...
9 Pages (2250 words) Assignment

Female Discrimination in the Workplace

The writer of this essay discusses a question gender discrimination in the consulting firm as women have an equal opportunity as men.... Since the consulting firm KPMG itself discourages gender discrimination, this would allow talented individuals to come forward rather than inexperienced and incompetent individuals.... By discouraging gender discrimination, there will be equal opportunities for both male and female workers based on their expertise resulting in enhancement of the company's image....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Age Discrimination in the Workplace

This paper seeks "Age Discrimination in the Workplace" to outline the main workspace issues in organizations.... Furthermore, the paper concerns the implied and factual impact of the main issues presented in various thematical articles on organizations.... ... ... ...
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Age Discrimination in the Workplace

The paper "Age Discrimination in the Workplace" discusses that the employer should take certain steps to eliminate discrimination which is referred to as the positive duty.... An employer has a duty to ensure that reasonable measures are taken to prevent age Discrimination in the Workplace.... Age Discrimination in the Workplace Introduction Age Discrimination in the Workplace has been an issue of concern in the modern society....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Sexual Discrimination in the Workplace

The paper "Sexual Discrimination in the Workplace" underlines that Discrimination in the Workplace is made worse when other factors like the lifestyle of the person, for instance, sexual orientation are employed as the basis of this discrimination.... SEXUAL Discrimination in the Workplace At the workplace, fairness and good performance are complementary.... By doing away with Discrimination in the Workplace, the workers have equal opportunity promoting work and development of skills....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Paper

Religion & Discrimination In The Workplace

The paper "Religion & Discrimination in the Workplace" highlights that to have the right to earn a living while being able practices the religious beliefs desired, is something that many find within themselves a sense of identifying with each other one.... Religion & Discrimination in the Workplace As many human beings make the journey to work each and every day, they seek to participate in the daily grind as a means of social interaction, as well as monetary compensation....
12 Pages (3000 words) Coursework

Age Discrimination in The Workplace

From the discussion in the paper "Age Discrimination in the Workplace" it is clear that in order to remain competitive and updated, both the workers and the employers can make efforts.... Age Discrimination in the Workplace ... Avoid Age Discrimination in the Workplace.... Age Discrimination in the Workplace.... Discrimination at the workplace is pervasive, subtle and difficult to prove (Trafford, 2005).... The Age discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) forbids discrimination to any aspect of employment including hiring, firing, training, layoffs, promotions, fringe benefits, assignments and any other terms and conditions of employment....
12 Pages (3000 words) Research Paper

Age Discrimination in the Workplace

This paper ''Age Discrimination in the Workplace'' tells that this discrimination is a reality.... Age Discrimination in the Workplace November 5, Age discrimination in the public workenvironment is a reality.... Problem statement: Age discrimination in the public work environment is a reality.... ge discrimination in the public sector. ... The research centers on gathering data that would bring out the reality of age discrimination in the public sector or workplace. ...
6 Pages (1500 words) Case Study
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us