Employment Types
Identify two types of employment.
Answer: Any two of:
Identify one document or workplace instrument that may set an employee's pay and conditions.
Identify one responsibility an employee has for workplace safety.
Follow reasonable workplace safety instructions.
Also acceptable:
Define workplace bullying.
Workplace bullying involves repeated unreasonable behaviour towards a worker or group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety.
Identify one role of a union.
Represent employees in workplace matters.
Also acceptable:
Describe one feature of casual employment.
Casual employees generally do not have guaranteed regular hours and usually receive a higher hourly rate through casual loading instead of some paid leave entitlements.
Describe the purpose of a Tax File Number.
A Tax File Number is a unique number used to identify a person in Australia's tax and superannuation systems and helps employers correctly manage tax withholding.
Describe one example of a workplace hazard.
Sample Answer: A damaged electrical cord is a workplace hazard because exposed or damaged wiring may create a risk of electric shock or injury.
Describe one example of workplace discrimination.
Sample answer:
An employer refusing to consider an employee for promotion because of a protected personal characteristic may be an example of workplace discrimination.
Describe one way a union can support an employee.
A union may provide advice about an employee's workplace rights and assist them in understanding their award, agreement or employment conditions.
Explain one difference between an apprenticeship and a traineeship.
An apprenticeship generally involves training for a skilled trade, such as plumbing or electrical work, whereas a traineeship usually provides training for a non-trade occupation, such as administration.
Explain why it is important for a young employee to check their payslip.
Checking a payslip allows a young employee to make sure they have been paid the correct hourly rate, hours, penalty rates and other entitlements. It can also help them identify errors or possible underpayment.
Explain why hazards should be reported as soon as they are identified.
Hazards should be reported quickly so the employer can take action to remove or control the risk before someone is injured. Early reporting helps prevent workplace accidents.
Explain one effect workplace bullying can have on an employee.
Sample answer:
Workplace bullying may cause stress and anxiety, which can reduce an employee's wellbeing and ability to concentrate or perform effectively at work.
Explain how collective bargaining may benefit employees.
Sample answer:
Collective bargaining allows employees to negotiate as a group rather than individually. This can give workers greater bargaining power when discussing wages and conditions with an employer.
Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of commission-based employment.
One advantage is that employees may earn more money if they make more sales, which can reward strong performance. However, a disadvantage is that income may be unpredictable because earnings can depend on the number or value of sales made.
Explain two ways an award can protect an employee's working conditions.
An award can protect employees by setting minimum rates of pay, which helps prevent workers from being underpaid. It can also set conditions such as penalty rates, breaks, overtime and allowances, ensuring employees receive minimum workplace entitlements relevant to their industry or occupation.
Explain two responsibilities employees have in maintaining a safe workplace.
Employees should follow reasonable safety procedures, such as correctly using equipment and PPE, because this reduces their risk of injury. Employees should also report hazards to a supervisor so the hazard can be controlled before it harms themselves or others.
Explain two actions an employee could take if they experience bullying or discrimination.
Sample answer:
The employee could keep a record of incidents, including dates, behaviour and witnesses, because this provides evidence of what occurred. They could also report the behaviour through the workplace's complaint process, such as speaking to a manager or HR, so the issue can be investigated and addressed.
Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of joining a union.
Sample answer:
One advantage is access to workplace advice and representation, which can help employees resolve disputes or understand their rights. A disadvantage is that union members may need to pay membership fees, which creates an additional cost.
A Year 10 student wants regular weekly hours but also needs time for school. Recommend either part-time or casual employment and justify your choice.
Part-time employment would be more suitable because it generally provides regular, predictable hours while still requiring fewer hours than full-time employment. This would allow the student to plan schoolwork around their roster. Part-time employees may also receive paid leave entitlements on a proportional basis. Therefore, part-time employment offers a better balance of stability and flexibility for a student.
Eddie is 17 and has started his first part-time job. He does not understand his employment contract or payslip. Explain two actions Eddie could take to better understand his rights and entitlements.
First, Eddie could check the award that applies to his job and compare its pay rates and conditions with his contract and payslip. This would help him determine whether he is receiving the correct entitlements. Second, he could seek reliable information or assistance from his employer, Fair Work information services or another appropriate workplace support service. These actions would help Eddie understand his rights and identify any problems with his pay or conditions.
A worker is told to use damaged electrical equipment. Explain what they should do and justify why this is the appropriate response.
The worker should stop and raise the safety concern with their supervisor rather than simply continuing to use damaged equipment. They should follow the workplace's hazard-reporting procedures and ensure the equipment is made safe before it is used. This is appropriate because employees have a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety of others. Continuing to use damaged equipment could result in an injury.
An employee is dismissed immediately after a complaint is made against them and is not given an opportunity to respond. Assess whether there may be concerns about the fairness of the dismissal.
Sample answer:
There may be concerns about the fairness of the dismissal because the employee was not informed of the allegations or given an opportunity to respond. A fair process generally involves communicating concerns and allowing the employee to provide their version of events. However, whether the dismissal is legally unfair would depend on all the circumstances. Based on the information given, the lack of procedural fairness raises a significant concern.
A young worker believes they have been underpaid but is nervous about speaking to their employer. Explain how a union could support them and assess the value of union representation in this situation.
Sample answer:
A union could help the worker check their payslips and applicable pay conditions to determine whether an underpayment has occurred. The union may also provide advice or assist the worker when raising the issue with the employer. Union representation would be particularly valuable in this situation because a young or inexperienced employee may lack confidence or knowledge of workplace rules. Therefore, union support could help reduce the imbalance of knowledge and power between the worker and employer.