Module 1 Unit 1 World of Work
What is Work?Work is an effort made to do somethingeg.: Parent making breakfastWhat is Employment?Employment is work that is undertaken for paymenteg.: Chef in a restaurant preparing breakfast
The Difference is payment
World of Work
What is an Employee?This is someone who works for someone else for payment.Employees can work in the primary, secondary or services sectors.What is an Employer?This is a person or company that pays others to work for them.eg.: the government pays teachers, nurses and Gardaí, a shopkeeper pays a shop assistant, etc
World of Work:What characteristics does an employer look for in
potential employees?
Be able to explain each of these: Exercise: Outline each of these in your notes copy
Trustworthy Hard working Initiative Good communicator Team player Loyal
Reliable Adaptive Motivated Energy and drive Enthusiasm and
commitment Innovative
World of WorkRights of an Employee
1. To receive the minimum wage2. Safe and healthy working conditions3. Be treated equally4. To join a trade union5. To statuary paid holidays6. Not to be unfairly dismissed or
discriminated against
World of WorkResponsibilities of an Employee
1. Adhere to their duties of contract2. Do an honest day’s work3. Protect the employers property and
good name4. Carry out all reasonable instructions
from their employer5. Be honest and trustworthy
World of Work - What are the benefits of work?
1. Income2. Benefits in kind 3. Skills 4. Self esteem5. Social aspect 6. Job security Exercise: Explain why the above are benefits
of work – use examples Also explain 2 possible drawbacks for having
a job
World of Work - Recent employment trends
1. Rising unemployment2. Higher Taxes: Falling wages and net pay3. Collapse of construction4. Fall in net migration5. Impact of I.T. on jobs6. Flexible working arrangements/non
permanent jobs.
Irish Unemployment TrendsThe Labour force – Any person available for work except
students, those who choose to stay at home and those retired
This includes all the people who are employed and all those who are available for work but who are unable to find work.
World of Work: What are the causes of the recent increases in unemployment in the Irish
economy?
1. Re-location of industry2. Over reliance on construction sector.3. Banking crisis 4. Economic recession/cyclical unemployment5. Government cutbacks.6. Irish companies exporting to US and UK
Exercise – explain using examples how the above have caused unemployment to rise in Ireland
World of WorkWhat options are available to you if you become
unemployed and you wish to return to work?
1. Re train 2. Set up your own business. 3. Volunteer Work. 4. Part-time position 5. Emigration
Exercise – evaluate how each of the above could assist a person who is unemployed
World of Work - What is FAS?
FAS is Ireland’s national training and employment authority – will be changed to SOLAS 2012
It improves the skills and abilities of both individuals and businesses so that Ireland can continue to develop as a competitive, knowledge based economy
FAS provides training and employment programmes, recruitment services to job seekers and employers,
Acts as an advisory service for businesses and supports for community based enterprises such as tourism and heritage projects who wish to create jobs in their locality
World of Work
What is VTOS? Vocational Training Opportunities SchemeVTOS consists of a range of full-time courses
designed to meet the education, training and qualifications needs of people in receipt of a range of social welfare payments
VTOS allows people to develop new skills and equips them to gain employment or progress to further education courses which will also lead to employment
World of Work
What is Youthreach?This is a programme directed at unemployed
young early school leavers aged 15-20 and operates on a full-time, year-round basis.
It provides opportunities for basic education, personal development, vocational training and work experience.
It improves participants chances of gaining employment.
World of Work – Enterprise Ireland and Co Enterprise Ireland
What is Enterprise Ireland?This is a state owned enterprise which provides advice
and financial support to Irish businesses who wish to start up or grow.
It supports and funds companies who wish to engage in research and development, it helps firms export and can also buy shares in certain businesses
Co Enterprise Boards are set up by the government to help small local businesses.
They provide advice, grants, workshops, courses and mentors to community businesses.
People in each locality can thus acquire the skills and knowledge needed to set up and run their own business.
World of Work – Self Employment
This means that someone works for themselves for payment.
eg.: farmers, doctors, restaurant owners, taxi drivers, etc
You are your own boss and can make your own decisions. You can choose what you want to do
Working hours What goods or services you provideeg.: you might be able to develop a hobby
You can keep all the profits you make Your more motivated to work hard and receive greater
satisfaction when you do well as it’s your business and as your hard work is paying off
World of Work – Risks of Being Self Employed
The business could fail You might lose the money you put into (invested in)
the business You might also lose your own personal
property/possessions due to unpaid loansYou may have to work long hours.It might be stressfulYou have limited finance available and may have to wait a number of years before the business makes profit
Exercise – compare and contrast the risks and rewards of self employment.
World of Work – Employer’s Rights
1. To decide on the aims and objectives of a business and on the policies to achieve these objectives.
2. They have the right to ensure these objectives are achieved.
3. They have the right to run the business.4. They have the right to select suitable staff.5. They have the right to expect employees to
honour their contracts and to dismiss staff (fairly).
Explain using examples why employers need rights
World of Work - Responsibilities of an Employer
1. Provide safe and healthy working conditions, safety clothing and training.
2. Obey all laws relating to employing staff eg.: laws on employing young people, minimum wages, discrimination and fair dismissal, etc
3. They are responsible for deducting PAYE and PRSI and paying these to the Revenue. They keep record of these deductions.
4. Pay the agreed wage for work done
5. Give staff their statutory holiday/maternity benefits and allow them to join a trade union.
World of Work - Contract of Employment
This sets out the terms of employment:1. Employer’s name and address2. Employee’s name and address3. Job title and duties of the job4. Date of commencing work5. Length of the contract6. Rates of pay7. Details of holiday entitlements
World of Work - Employee Records
The following are the employee records a business usually keeps:
1.Application Form2.Curriculum Vitae3.Performance Records4.Income Tax and PRSI Records5.Contract of Employment
World of Work – Employer’s Health and Safety Obligations
1. Have a safety statement that explains procedures to deal with emergency situations (such as fires, injuries) – required by law, It is a written document that identifies hazards, assesses risks and makes changes to ensure the workplace is safe.
2. Have a safe and healthy working environment3. Provide training, instructions, fire drills, safety
signs, etc4. Appoint a safety officer and report any accidents
to the Health & Safety Authority. 5. Provide safety equipment and clothing. 6. Takes steps to prevent bullying and discrimination.
World of Work
What obligations do employees have regarding health, safety and welfare?
1. To follow all safety procedures and adhere to all notices
2. To wear protective clothing.3. To use all relevant machinery properly.4. To report all hazards and accidents.5. To treat each other with respect
World of Work
What are the benefits of Health and Safety regulations in the workplace?
1. Workers are protected from unsafe work practices.
2. These ensure workers are treated with dignity 3. All employees have up to date information,
equipment and training, and can take responsibility for their own safety and for the safety of others.
4. Workers moral improves as does staff turnover, absenteeism and productivity
World of Work
Employment Equality Act This outlines and outlaws discrimination on
nine grounds:
1. Age2. Gender 3. Marital Status4. Family Status5. Religion
6. Ethnicity7. Sexual
Orientation8. Membership of
travelling community
9. Disability
World of Work
It is against the law to discriminate in the following areas:
1. Hiring workers2. Training3. Promotion4. Dismissals5. Working conditions
Employment Equality Act
World of Work – Employing Young People
Young people and employers need to be aware of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 which protects young workers’ health and ensures work doesn’t put a young person’s education at risk
Exercise – Research the above Act and summarise its benefits
World of Work
Trade Unions help their members in the following ways:1. They fight for better wages, shorter working hours,
longer holidays, safer working conditions, etc..2. They represent and negotiate employees or groups
of employees who are in dispute with their employer. They pay any legal bills necessary to fight the case.
3. They represent members in discussions with employer organisations and the government, on matters such as taxation, wages, etc and negotiate a better deal.
4. They protect the interests of their members. eg.: protects them from unfair dismissaleg.: as a group the union has a strong voice which acts as
a deterrent for redundancy
Trade Unions
World of Work
ICTU – Irish Congress of Trade Unions is an Umbrella group for all Trade Unions
ASTI - Association of Secondary Teachers TUI - Teachers’ Union of Ireland INO - Irish Nurses Organisation SIPTU- Services Industrial Professional and
Technical Union
Types of Trade Union
This is the local union representative and is elected by members for a term of one to three years.
The main duties of a shop steward include:1. Recruiting new members2. Acting a as a link between members and
union HQ and passing on any information received from head office.
3. Negotiating with the employer on behalf of its members (employees)
World of Work – Shop Steward
Contrasting School with the World of Work
1. Hours2. Practicality3. Variety 4. Income 5. Teamwork6. IT/technology
Exercise – Explain using examples how school differs from the World of Work
