The Nature of Work
What are the primary reasons people work?
To meet specific needs
Economic
Value and status
Define the labour force
All people who are working or are able to work
What is the acronym of social factors leading to changing work patters. Fill in the acronym.
E - Education/retraining
G -Government policy
G- Gender
F- Family circumstances
E- Economics
E- Employment/unemployment
T- Technology (computers, robotics, R&D)
Give the definition of employee rights and responsibilities. Outline why they are important
Rights and responsibilities for employees are important as they ensure safety, efficient work practices, employee wellbeing and job satisfaction.
Rights are something that an employee is entitled to. Responsibilities are a duty or an obligation that an employee must fulfil.
How does paid work help an employee acheve an adequate standard of living?
Paid work ensures individuals afford a comfortable lifestyle
What does SHESEA VaSE stand for?
Safety and security
Health
Education and training
Sense of identity
Employment
Adequate standard of living
Value and status
Economic
Give an example for each of the following stages of lifespan that may impact labour force participation.
Infancy
Childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
Aged years
infancy - N/A
Childhood - N/A
Adolescence - living with parents may not need to support themselves, stilll completing school, might want to work to build independence
Adulthood - education/retraining, maintain rent/mortgage, change in family structure, childcare options
Aged - Children move out of home, retirement, change in family structure
What are two ways technology has changed the pattern of work for employees?
Working from home (remote), more contract work for small jobs, shift workers for maintaining computer systems
Identify 3 rights and 3 responsibilities an employee has
Rights
to be shown how to work safely
to appropriate safety equipment
to speak up about work conditions
to say no to unsafe work
to be consulted about safety in the workplace
to workers compensation
to a fair and just workplace
to fair pay and conditions.
Responsibilities
taking reasonable care of yourself
not doing anything that would affect the health and safety of others at work
following any reasonable health and safety instructions from your employer
ask if you are not sure how to safely perform the work
follow instructions and work safely
report unsafe and unhealthy situations and injuries to your immediate supervisor
What strategies can individuals use to manage multiple role expectations when circumstances change? Include examples.
Sharing and Negotiating Roles:
Sharing household responsibilities among family members helps balance multiple roles. For example, one parent may cook dinner while the other helps children with homework.
In the workplace, teams can negotiate and assign tasks based on strengths, like a confident employee handling customer service while others focus on technical tasks.
Managing Resources:
Using time-saving devices like microwaves and slow cookers can save time and energy when balancing work and home duties.
Budgeting can help manage financial strain when work hours are reduced, such as cutting costs by cooking at home instead of ordering takeaway.
Using Technology:
Online grocery shopping and automated bill payments save time and reduce stress.
Workplace technology like shared calendars and communication platforms (e.g., Slack) can help organise schedules and task-sharing.
Accessing Support:
Formal support like childcare enables working parents to focus on their jobs without worrying about their children’s care.
Informal support from family or friends, such as grandparents babysitting, can provide flexibility when work demands change unexpectedly.
Adjusting to Changing Circumstances:
If a parent starts working night shifts, they may need to adjust routines by preparing meals in advance or arranging after-school care.
If a family member becomes ill, reducing work hours or seeking government support may help balance caregiving and financial needs.
Workplace Structures:
Access to workplace childcare can help working parents balance career and family needs.
Flexible working hours or remote work options allow individuals to better balance home and work commitments.
Give at least two examples of indirect payments and direct payments
Indirect - company car, bonuses, stock options, shares, mobile phones
Direct- wage, salary or fee for service
What are the different patterns of work for individuals?
Full time, part time, job share, casual, perm, contract/temp, self-employeed, shiftwork, voluntary, seasonal, remote
Identify two change in family circumstances and give an example for how it can impact an individuals working pattern
Having a child- maternity leave, reduced work hours such as casual partime or job share /leaving work force for a period of time/ shiftwork may no longer be suitable due to demands of child
Divorce- taking on more hours of work to support individual households
Caring for a family member- reduce work hours/leaving work force/ taking shift work to work outside of caring hours
Partner loss of job- working partner might need more hours
Identify 3 examples of an employee responsibility
taking reasonable care of yourself
not doing anything that would affect the health and safety of others at work
following any reasonable health and safety instructions from your employer
ask if you are not sure how to safely perform the work
follow instructions and work safely
report unsafe and unhealthy situations and injuries to your immediate supervisor
What are the workplace structures acronymns - fill them in
Lets Work Together For Workers Leave
L- legislation
W-work conditions, egawards, grievance procedures,
T- trade unions
F-flexible work patterns
W- Workplace culture - Childcare, prayer room, kitcheb
L- Leave entitlements
Work is valued for what two reasons? Identify and give BRIEF explanation.
On an individual basis - for economic value providing AS living for the individual - physical needs, food, shelter etc. Also for the self esteem or personal satisfaction from the lifestyle
Community basis- people pay taxes and the government can provide infrastructure and services such as roads and hospitals which increases wellbeing of society
Identify 3 different populations/individuals who are suitable for each of the following types of job.
Job share
Voluntary work
Job share - parents with partner working, those returning to work or phased retirees, univiersity/TAFE students
Voluntary work- retirees, school students, non-working parents
Outline a feature of education and retraining and how this feauture is impacting patterns of work
- More young poeple especially women are finishing school and achieving tertiary education = more young people need access to casual/part-time jobs that are flexible to their study
- government policy is no student can leave school before 17 unless they are in employment/study for up to 25 hours a week = job market is now aimed at people with higher education making it harder for unskilled workers to gain employment and/or more women are finishing school andbecoming more educated they can move into more secure better paying work
-Secondary school providing training pathways into the growing service industry (childcare/hospo/aged care) = more shiftwork opportunities availavle for individuals in these industries
-Education and retraining can be expensive for individuals and for employers = employers offering more flexible patterns of work to retain trained staff
What is the acronym of workers rights? Fill in and outline what each letter means.
A- Anti-discrimination
The right to work in an environment that is free from any form of discrimination, harassment or abuse
P- Practice religion
The right to act and dress in a way that adheres to their religion and beliefs
P- Pay
The right to be paid correctly and fairly
L- Leave
The right to have access to the relevant annual, family, personal and public-holiday leave.
E- Equal opportunity
The right to have equal opportunities with regard to employment and promotion, regardless of age, gender, religious beliefs or ethnicity
S- Safety & Security
The right to work in a safe environment with appropriate occupational health and safety procedures and individual rights and entitlements
Give an example of how a workplace right or responsibility is supported by workpalce structure
example:
Right to a safe work environment: Employees have the right to work in conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm. this is supported by legislation such as health and safety act.
Outline on how unpaid work meets the following needs:
Sense of Identity, Education, Health needs
Sense of identity- Volunteering can provide opportunity for self discovery or giving back to society.
Education- School or VET training can offer work placements which can build employment skills or gain experience in the field. Networking which can increase opportunities for paid employment. Donating time and energy to charity can also help educate the individual about the needs of those they are working with and they can go on to educate others.
Health needs - Working in home can increase fitness levels such as vacuuming ot carrying laundry can raise heart rate when done for 30 mins or more. Mental health needs can be met by giving back and increasing self esteem or sense of purpose.
Identify 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of being self employeed
Advantages - control over time spent working, total control of business decisions, hours can accomodate familiy needs, control over when holidays are taken, some tax advantages, still covered for occupational health and safety, may be able to work form home, profits go to individual, allows individuals to use their skills to make money
Disadvantages- time off can result loss of money, responsibility for all banking/tax, profits initially invested back into business, hours usually long and unpredictable initially, uncertain income, retraining takes time out of working, longer hours limits time with family
- Minority groups previously unable to gain employment may now access flexible work patterns such as parttime casual or WFH
- Mat leave/pat leave allows workers to retain their job and/or move into more flexible hours
- enterprise agreements allow workers to negotiate more flexible working patterns
Outline how awards support efficient work practices?
they include adequate provisions for lunch and rest breaks, allowing staff to remain focused for their day’s work
They include annual leave, sick leave and long-service leave, enabling employees to have time off to refresh themselves for their work responsibilities.
Outline how awards support the rights and responsibilities of individuals in their workplace
safety and security, by providing clear guidelines on individuals’ rights and responsibilities
leave entitlements, by ensuring that appropriate leave such as sick leave, long-service leave and annual leave are available and can be taken
fair pay, by ensuring that workers receive at least the minimum wage.