Responses to Other Students: Respond to at least 4 of your fellow classmates with at least a 100–200-word reply about their Primary Task Response regarding items you found to be compelling and enlightening. To help you with your discussion, please consider the following questions:
· What did you learn from your classmate's posting?
· What additional questions do you have after reading the posting?
· What clarification do you need regarding the posting?
· What differences or similarities do you see between your posting and other classmates' postings?
STUDENT 1:
· What best practices do you recommend for leading a virtual cross-cultural team?
One of the best practices to have a driven successful cross-cultural team is by first having goals and expectations set up. With setting the rules for what is and would not be acceptable, there is a better understanding. Also, being respectful is very important. Having respect for everyone's beliefs, be active in listening and definitely being able to ignore any form of assumptions, or judgmental behaviors.
· How will the organization onboard the interns and introduce them to U.S. culture?
You should start by introducing interns to the rest of the team, preferably on an individual basis. Then, follow this up with an activity, like a team lunch, to welcome interns.
· What are the benefits of the international internship program to the interns and to the organization? Expands your networking as well as you have a better understanding of things globally. Interning abroad will allow you to create a community of international colleagues and professionals that you can reach out to in the years to come . Furthermore, this Helps you develop sufficient communication skill in different environments through meeting new people. Also, this Tests your problem-solving capabilities and flexibility to overcome new challenges and uncertainties.
STUDENT 2:
What best practices do you recommend for leading a virtual cross-cultural team?
Effective communication and collaboration within a virtual cross-cultural team can be ensured by following certain important best practices, such as establishing clear modes of communication with the help of dependable technology resources. Foster a work culture that prioritizes respecting everyone's point-of-view and encourages broadening horizons through embracing diverse perspectives. To ensure everyone knows their part in the team, it's important to set clear goals and expectations for individual roles. Conduct training sessions that build cultural intelligence for better comprehension of diverse customaries and professional practices and strengthen team cohesion through virtual interaction outside of work tasks. As a proactive leader offer assistance to your team in addressing challenging situations while actively working towards conflict resolution. To ensure the successful development of the international internship program, it is important to create an inclusive and collaborative environment.
How will the organization onboard the interns and introduce them to U.S. culture?
To acquaint the interns with U.S culture effectively through a successful onboarding process, the following strategies should be implemented by the organization: Conducting a comprehensive pre-internship orientation program is essential for providing interns with detailed information on their roles at work and their accommodation arrangements. Additionally, giving cultural training sessions designed solely for equipping interns with knowledge about U would be beneficial. Interns would benefit from a mentorship program or buddy system that provides guidance and support as they navigate the unfamiliar territory of working in America. By organizing immersion activities like visits to local attractions and cultural events, Lastly, offering ongoing support through regular check-ins and feedback sessions is critical to ensuring that interns feel both supported and valued throughout their time here. Adopting new strategies ensures a smooth transition for interns as they integrate into the US culture while advancing their growth.
What are the benefits of the international internship program to the interns and to the organization?
Gaining international work experience is one of the biggest advantages of interning abroad as it helps individuals improve their adaptability and perspective towards different cultures, and building connections with professionals while gaining new skills through academic learning can elevate employability rate leading to more career enhancing opportunities. Intercultural competence is one of the valuable aspects that is developed among interns when they live and work in different countries
STUDENT 3:
The process of requesting FMLA leave involves several steps to ensure that employees receive the benefits and protections outlined in the Family and Medical Leave Act. First, employees must determine if they are eligible for FMLA leave. To be eligible, they must have worked for their employer for at least 12 months, have worked at least 1,250 hours during the previous 12-month period, and work at a location where the company employs at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius ( Family and medical leave act employee guide). Next, employees should provide their employer with at least 30 days' notice if the need for FMLA leave is foreseeable. If the leave is not foreseeable, employees must notify their employer as soon as possible. They are also required to provide appropriate certification, such as medical documentation, to support their need for FMLA leave within 15 days of the request. Once the employer receives the employee's notice and certification, they must inform the employee whether the leave will be designated as FMLA leave. The employer has a specific timeframe of 5 days in which they must provide this approval or denial.
If FMLA is approved, one of the key benefits of FMLA leave is job protection. Employers must guarantee employees their same or equivalent position upon their return from FMLA leave. This means that employees can take the time they need to deal with a serious medical condition without fear of losing their job or increasing stress. For example, if an employee takes 12 weeks of FMLA leave to care for a seriously ill family member, upon their return, they should be reinstated to their previous position or a comparable one with the same level of responsibility and compensation. During FMLA leave, employers must continue providing employees with the same group health insurance coverage; however, the employee may be responsible for continuing to pay their portion of the premium while on leave ( Family and medical leave act employee guide). For example, if an employee is on FMLA leave for the birth of a child, their employer must maintain their health insurance coverage during their absence, allowing the employee to access necessary medical services. In some cases, employees may need to take FMLA leave intermittently or on a reduced schedule. In such situations, employees should make reasonable efforts to schedule their leave in a way that minimizes disruptions to the employer's operations.
During their FMLA leave, employees have certain responsibilities they must fulfill. To maintain compliance with FMLA and your employer, employees are expected to maintain communication with their employer and provide updates on their status and expected return to work date. If there are any changes in their leave circumstances, they should inform their employer promptly. Another notable responsibility of employees is ensuring they use their FMLA leave for the intended purpose, such as addressing their own serious health condition or that of a family member. Additionally, if the leave extends beyond the duration stated in the initial certification, employees may be required to provide updated medical documentation to support the need for an extended leave. If employees need reasonable accommodations or modified work arrangements upon their return to work, they should engage in the interactive process with their employer to explore feasible options.
Overall, FMLA provides employees with the necessary framework to request and take leave for qualified medical reasons, ensuring their job protection and the continuation of certain benefits during their absence. Employees are granted needed time off to care for themselves or close family members without fear of job loss or punitive effects. By understanding the process and fulfilling their responsibilities, employees can navigate FMLA leave effectively while maintaining a fair, safe, and legal workplace environment.
References
Family and medical leave act employee guide. DOL. (n.d.).
STUDENT 4:
As a Human Resource Manager for Green Branch Coffee I am researching (FMLA) Family and Medical Leave Act. We will provide time off for employees to deal with serious medical condition of their own or one of their family members.
The first thing I will be discussing is the process of requesting FMLA leave. Proper notice is the first part as soon as a person knows they will need to use FMLA leave they must give at least 30 days’ notice. If you do not know until the last moment you will need to let the employer know that FMLA will be used.
Some examples of how FMLA provides employees with job protection during the FMLA leave are as follows. During the FMLA leave the company must define how much leave will be utilized as FMLA leave and how much will be used of one’s FMLA entitlement. The company or employer must provide the rights and responsibilities of the FMLA leave. Certification must be provided to the employer by the employee within fifteen days.
I have personally used FMLA once in my lifetime. I have been diagnosed with Bi-Polar when I was in my early twenties. My niece when she was fourteen months old was diagnosed with cancer that riddled her body ninety percent. The doctors gave her three months to live and I am very close with my niece. I became incapable of functioning in everyday life and struggled with my own mental health. As I was battling my mental health my youngest son was having major struggles within school and was consistently being sent home. He was later diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. My oldest was a teenager and was struggling with life. I had to take a break from work and needed to seek professional help to get me through this very difficult time. I started to struggle leaving the house it was very extreme.
The result was I had to stop working at this company and move to another state. My niece recovered and is now about to turn fifteen. My youngest son is currently going to college and is living a very successful life working at the same time. My oldest now has a son of his own and even though his marriage did not work he is getting married again to what I believe is his true soul mate. I am working successfully from home which gives me better home/work balance. We have all moved on from this very difficult period in our lives and with the help of my employer providing adequate benefits such as FMLA leave and Mental Health coverage.
