Essay One: Who are you? As a class we have discussed various interpretations of the term “identity;” now is your chance to explore and convey how you understand the concept. In a 4-6 page essay, state your point of view, and explain using examples where your observation is evident. Is identity deep, spiritual, and internal—something we are born with? Or is identity more tangible, something we simply shift and use to influence or connect with others? What do you use to define yourself (OR what defines you)? Is it your language? Your social circle? Nationality? Expression though art? Your idol? A sport or hobby? A familial role? Your favorite movie? A musical genre? Rather than trying to write about everything, pick one side of your identity that you want to focus on. Prefer not to take a self reflective stroll down existential lane? That’s okay. If you like, it is totally acceptable to choose a character from a book or movie, or even a person you know if this is more comfortable. For the first essay in this class, I want you to have some freedom. Identity (by definition) is a personal topic, and I’d like this assignment to reflect that spirit of personality—you can really make whatever sort of statement you’d like, so long it is specific and focused. Other questions to consider if you get stuck (you don’t have to answer all of these though): --Do we choose identity or is it assigned to us by external forces? --Is identity fixed or fluid? --Can identity ever be changed? --Do we have just one “true” identity, or multiple identities? Whatever embodiment of identity you break down, remember: I am most interested in WHY your choice makes you who you are. Try to incorporate symbolic meaning into your discussion.Remember, a well developed essay provides a variety of evidence; in addition to your own experiences and observations, utilize what we’ve looked at in class if it helps you explain your stance—break down implied messages of a Facebook profile, discuss the crisis in the episode of “Doug” we watched, show why an eHow guide is not thorough enough to establish an identity. I encourage you to use any outside example you connect with as well. Due: Tues 9/30 EMPLOYEE VOICE 1 Introduction Most of the time, the success of any part of business depends on how motivated employees are. The importance of motivation is reflected in productivity, profitability, recruitment, and retention—happy and satisfied employees are mostly hardworking, which makes an organization have a cutting edge over its competitors. Employee voice can be of different types and levels—the voice can be formal or informal, for instance, through official committees or individual manager policies, respectively. Managers can motivate employees through involving them, and such participation can be direct or indirect. Directly, employees can participate through job discretion, control, or in teams and indirectly, through committees of managers and employees (i.e. joint consultat ...

1. Essay One:
Who are you?
As a class we have discussed various interpretations of the term
“identity;” now is your chance to explore and convey how you
understand the concept. In a 4-6 page essay, state your point of
view, and explain using examples where your observation is
evident.
Is identity deep, spiritual, and internal—something we are born
with? Or is identity more tangible, something we simply shift
and use to influence or connect with others?
What do you use to define yourself (OR what defines you)? Is it
your language? Your social circle? Nationality? Expression
though art? Your idol? A sport or hobby? A familial role? Your
favorite movie? A musical genre? Rather than trying to write
about everything, pick one side of your identity that you want to
focus on.
Prefer not to take a self reflective stroll down existential lane?
That’s okay. If you like, it is totally acceptable to choose a
character from a book or movie, or even a person you know if
this is more comfortable.
For the first essay in this class, I want you to have some
freedom. Identity (by definition) is a personal topic, and I’d like
this assignment to reflect that spirit of personality—you can
really make whatever sort of statement you’d like, so long it is
specific and focused.
Other questions to consider if you get stuck (you don’t have to
answer all of these though):
--Do we choose identity or is it assigned to us by external
forces?
--Is identity fixed or fluid?
--Can identity ever be changed?
--Do we have just one “true” identity, or multiple identities?

2. Whatever embodiment of identity you break down, remember: I
am most interested in WHY your choice makes you who you
are. Try to incorporate symbolic meaning into your
discussion.Remember, a well developed essay provides a variety
of evidence; in addition to your own experiences and
observations, utilize what we’ve looked at in class if it helps
you explain your stance—break down implied messages of a
Facebook profile, discuss the crisis in the episode of “Doug” we
watched, show why an eHow guide is not thorough enough to
establish an identity. I encourage you to use any outside
example you connect with as well.
Due: Tues 9/30
EMPLOYEE VOICE 1
Introduction
Most of the time, the success of any part of business depends on
how motivated employees are. The importance of motivation is
reflected in productivity, profitability, recruitment, and
retention—happy and satisfied employees are mostly
hardworking, which makes an organization have a cutting edge
over its competitors. Employee voice can be of different types
and levels—the voice can be formal or informal, for instance,
through official committees or individual manager policies,
respectively. Managers can motivate employees through
involving them, and such participation can be direct or indirect.
Directly, employees can participate through job discretion,
control, or in teams and indirectly, through committees of
managers and employees (i.e. joint consultative committees) at
the workplace. The articles reviewed in this paper show that
employees who perceive that managers appreciate them feel
influential and are often determine to influence the success of
their organization, which in turn can lift their well-being and
productivity. In addition, this paper present other peer reviewed
articles opposed to this argument.Managers’ Encouragement of
Employee Voice CAN Lift Well-Being and Productivity

3. Employees are invaluable assets to a company. Therefore, their
motivation and wellbeing are important to the success of the
company. In his article, Roark (2013) argues that when
managers do not motivate their employees, the employees do
not spend much time doing their jobs and they abscond duty
whenever they have a chance, which in turn reduces the
company’s productivity. On the other hand, according to
Catteeuw, Flynn, and Vonderhorst (2007), encouraging
employee voice increases employee motivation, which in turn
makes the workforce persistent, productive, and creative. The
researchers establish that employee engagement increases
productivity, especially during turbulent times in business. In
his study, Nielsen (2010) relates productivity and profitability
with employee engagement, health, and wellness and argues that
top management can take advantage of employee voice if they
are able to involve workers across different culture. However,
as the following section shows, other scholars disagree with
Catteeuw, Flynn, and Vonderhorst (2007), Nielsen (2010), and
Roark’s (2013) views and findings.Managers’ Encouragement of
Employee Voice CANNOT Lift Well-Being and Productivity
Other researchers have come up with lists of the factors that lift
wellbeing and productivity and in the process, implying that
encouragement of employee voice does not necessarily matter.
For instance, Bassi and Mcmurrer (2005) dispute that given the
employee engagement drivers are not equal to the business
results drivers, efforts to maximize encouragement of employee
voice through employee engagement can, in practice, take a
company in the wrong direction. Besides, lifting wellbeing and
productivity involves employers’ loyalty to and concern for
employee happiness, precision of job expectations, quality of
working associations with colleagues and managers, regular
discourse with managers, rewarding and recognizing employees,
and career progression opportunities. Therefore, Kaufman
(2014) argues that although employee voice can lift well-being
and productivity, it must be accompanied with the factors just
listed.Conclusion

4. Undoubtedly, the articles reviewed in this paper agree on the
view that managers’ encouragement of employee voice can lift
well-being and productivity, but some dissent that the factor
cannot be effective exclusively. Such researchers as Kaufman
(2014) represent the school of thought supporting a holistic
approach to lifting well-being and productivity. In other words,
although managers’ encouragement of employee voice can lift
well-being and productivity, managers must not forget about
other important drivers.
References
Bassi, L., & Mcmurrer, D. (2005). Developing Measurement
Systems for Managing in the Knowledge Era. Organizational
Dynamics, 34(2), 185-196.
Catteeuw, F., Flynn, E., & Vonderhorst, J. (2007). Employee
Engagement: Boosting Productivity in Turbulent Times.
Organization Development Journal, 25(2), 151-157.
Kaufman, B. (2014). Explaining Breadth and Depth of
Employee Voice across Firms: A Voice Factor Demand Model.
Journal of Labor Research, 35(3), 10.1007/s12122-014-9185-5.
Nielsen, R. (2010). Leadership, engagement and productivity.
Employee Benefit Adviser , 8(3), 56-59.
Roark, P. (2013). Employee Engagement. Leadership
Excellence, 30(9), 25-26.
1001EHR – Marking Criteria for Essay Plan
Criteria
Excellent
(85-100%)
Very Good
(75-84%)
Good
(65-74%)
Satisfactory

5. (50-64%)
Unsatisfactory
(0-49%)
Introduction and statement of argument/stance (1 mark)
Clear and concise statement of the argument/stance providing a
clear, strong statement of the author's position on the topic.
Clear statement of the argument providing a clear, strong
statement of the author's position on the topic.
Some attempt has been made to present an argument but does
not make the author's position clear.
Attempts have been made to state the argument, however,
further clarification is needed.
No clear introduction to the essay plan and no clear position
statement.
List of main points and supporting arguments (6 marks)
Excellent and comprehensive list of main points/arguments. All
points are succinctly related to the Essay question and each
point/argument is well-supported.
Very good list of main points/ arguments. All points are
succinctly related to the Essay question and most
points/arguments are well-supported.
Adequate list of main points/arguments. Most points are related
to the Essay question. However, need to ensure that each
point/argument made is supported.
Basic list of main points/arguments made. Not all points are
directly linked to the Essay question. More needed to show
support for the points/arguments.
Incomplete list of main points/arguments made. Points do not
relate to the Essay questions. No attempt has been made to
support the main points.
Literature Support for the argument/stance (2 marks)
Utilises more than 5 refereed journals sources. All are current
and appropriate sources that support the analysis.
Utilises more than 5 refereed journal sources. Most are current
and appropriate sources which support the analysis.
Utilises more than 5 refereed journal sources. Some are current

6. and appropriate sources which support the analysis.
Utilises 5 refereed journal sources. More quality sources are
needed to strengthen and support the analysis.
Does not utilise 5 refereed journal sources. Quality sources are
needed to strengthen and support the analysis.
Presentation and mechanics (1 mark)
Quality of writing at a very high standard (i.e., spelling,
grammar, readability, clarity of ideas).
Quality of writing is of a high standard (i.e., spelling, grammar,
readability, clarity of ideas).
Quality of writing is of a good standard (i.e., spelling, grammar,
readability, clarity of ideas).
Quality of writing is of a low standard. Improvement is needed.
Quality of writing is at a very poor standard. Improvement is
needed.
Presentation Mark out of 10 =
Comments:
Essay Information
The Task:
You are required to complete a 1200 word Essay. The objective
of the essay is to allow you to demonstrate your ability to draw
on appropriate literature, to think and argue critically and
analytically and to present your ideas in a logical and coherent
manner in answering the essay question.
The essay topic is:
Managers' encouragement of employee voice can lift well-being
and productivity. Discuss.
As you will discover, there are diverging and often
conflicting viewpoints discussed in this course. This assessment
item is designed to develop your research skills and get you
thinking critically about the topic. It will allow you to present

7. your own viewpoint, as well as develop generic skills in writing
and presenting a logical and persuasive argument. Writing an
essay allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the
subject matter by drawing together concepts learned in lectures
and discussed in tutorials, supplemented by research. You are
expected to present an argument based on research in response
to the question.
Remember, in an argumentative essay:
· a clear position on the topic is presented
· the position is supported by information/evidence that
supports that position; that is, your argument is substantiated
· opposing viewpoints are presented
· a persuasive conclusion is presented.
Specifications:
Your Essay should be 1200 words (+/- 10% excluding reference
list) followed by a reference list with a minimum of 8 peer-
reviewed references. Peer-reviewed or Refereed articles are
from academic/scholarly journals that only publish articles that
have passed through a review process. The review process helps
ensure that the published articles reflect solid scholarship in
their fields.
Submission Format:
You should type your submission in a Word document. Your
submission should be at 11 or 12 point font and double-spaced,
with 25mm margins on all sides.
Criteria:
The marking criteria for the Essay is included in the Course
Handbook (left-hand menu).
Due Date:
Extended until: 29 September Monday 9.00am via the
submission point.