Introduction to working life

Introduction to working life

1. Work

   • Activity which requires effort
   • Employment: payment received in return for work
     • Employers: hire workers in return for payment
   • Employees: work for employers in return for payment
   • Self-employed: work for themselves
   • Types of work:
     • Voluntary
       • Self employment
         • Manual
           • Paid employment
             • Payment received in return for work
         • Work for themselves
         • Advantages
           • You're boss
             • Keep all profits
               • Develop hobby
                 • Alternative to unemployment
                   • Decide working hours
                     • Make decisions
         • Disadvantages
           • Work long hours initially
             • Responsible for own business
               • No one shares losses
                 • Risk of failure
                   • Limited finance
       • Volunteer to do without getting paid

2. Trade Unions

   • Functions
     • Represent the interest of workers in workplace
       • Negotiate for improved wages, working conditions, holidays, work hours & proper facilities
         • Negotiate on behalf of members when disputes with employers occur
           • Enter into agreements with social partners i.e. government & employees on formation of National Wages Association
             • Provide grants for education
               • Support & promote equality in workplace
                 • Give workers greater strength by uniting them
                   • E.g. SIPTU & ASTI
   • Shop Stewards
     • Elected by workers to act as their union representative
       • Recruits new members to union
         • Keep members informed of any union developments
           • Represent workers in discussions with management
           • Link between union head office & workplace

3. Employment

   • Full time/ part time/contract based/job share//flexitime
     • Main form of remuneration is wages- time rate/piece rate/commission/salary
       • Additional bonuses/profit sharing/benefits-in-kind/non-financial benefits
   • Permanent full time
     • Advantages
       • Reg. income
         • No worries about finding job
           • Join pension scheme
             • Easier to plan finances & future
               • Security of employment gives independance
                 • Promotion prospects exist
                   • Less likely to become depressed
     • Disadvantages
       • No incentive to move job
         • Work less varied
           • Less leisure time available
             • May lose flexibility
               • Moving house more difficult
                 • Motivation may decrease

4. Contract of employment

   • Sets out all terms & conditions relating to position
     • Employers name & address
       • Employees name & address
         • Job title & description
           • • Salary
               • Holiday entitlements
                 • • Sig of employee & employer
                     • Any other condition of job

5. ·

   • Unemployment
     • Financial benefit
       • Unemployment benefit
         • Family income supplement
           • Back to work allowance
             • Back to work enterprise allowance
               • Back to education allowance

6. Future of work

   • Difficult to predict
     • Lots of changes
       • Result of globalisation, competition, changes in technology & in our economies
         • Employees must be flexible & adaptable

7. Changes in unemployment

   • Employees change jobs & careers many times during working life
     • Work from home
       • Changes in technology
         • More people working part time, job sharing & flexitime
           • Self employment
             • Changes in economic activities
               • Primary: agriculture, fishing, forestry & miming
                 • Secondary
                   • Tertiary