Employment and Work Futures: 

3.2 Work and Wellbeing: 

3.2.1 Economic and Wellbeing Benefits of Work: 

• A major economic benefit of work is that workers pay taxes to the government. The government will then redistribute these funds and provide the collective wants that the society desires such as education, health, roads, railways, and social welfare such as the aged pension.

3.2.2: Work to earn a living: 

•  Being part of the workforce will enable you to start earning money, which you can then use to buy things that you want

•  Earning a living is often the primary reason that people work. It is however, not the only one.

• Jobs provide income that is used to buy goods and services.

3. 2. 3 Why do people work:

1. Financial Benefits of work: 

• Earning an income 

• Exchanging money for goods and services 

• Being a consumer 

• Having the ability to buy what you need and want 

• Creating and maintaining a good standard of living for your family

2. Non-financial benefits of working.

• Opportunities to use your shills and abilities in a positive way

• Meeting and mixing with new people.

• Doing something you love and are passionate about.

• Increasing your self-esteem and confidence.

• Developing your natural Strengths and talents 

• Being part of a group or a team 

• Making friends

• Contributing to the Australian economy

• Being happy.

3.2.4 Benefits of Work: 

• 3. 2. 4 Benefits of work:

To earn money:

• Most people sell their labour to an employer and receive an income in return.

• The most common forms of Income are wages and salaries.

• While earning money, many workers will struggle to maintain some degree of balance between work and leisure, known as the work-life balance. 

• This need for work like balance is important to many workers and can form the foundations of a good life and a workers sense of well being.

To improve living standards:

• Working generates an income that enables consumers to satisfy their needs and wants.

• The quality of work is also important to employees. Studies of modern values have revealed few employees want to be wasting their life contributing to questionable or immoral work. After all, many hours are spent working, and people want them to count for something

To gain status and prestige: 

• The type of work a person does is often used to measure that person's status and prestige within society.  In other words, their status comes from their occupation

• The value we place on a person's job determines his or her income

To obtain Self-Satisfaction: 

• 200 employees of a factory were asked to write down the most important aspect of their work. The responses revealed that it was not money: 67% of the employees said that knowing they had done the job well and recieved some praise from the supervisor were the most rewarding aspects.

• Both job satisfaction and Self-satisfaction were seen as important. This doesn't mean money isn't important; it is. However, there are many other rewards you can get from a job. 

To Make Friends: 

• The social aspects of work increase its value. On average, employees spend more time at work with their co-workers that they do at home with their families.

• Work provides the opportunity to meet other people and make friends.

• Sometimes workplaces have social clubs that employees can join to make friends and have fun, and participate in organised activities aimed at increasing the sense of stuff connectedness and satisfaction.

To Help Others:

• Many people in the local community work for voluntary agencies such as country fire brigades, meals on wheels or the state emergency service. They receive no financial payment, but do it for pleasure and satisfaction of being able to help others. 

To Have Disposable Income: 

• Most people work for an enjoyable life. A disposable income is funds that are available to be spent all taxes, bills and compulsory costs of living are paid for. This surplus income can then be spent in any manner desired; that is, disposed on fun, holidays and hobbies. Paying for needs is ideal, but being able to pay for wants is a luxury that most people aspire to

To Add to Superannuation: 

• Many people make choices to add extra funds into their superannuation, so they have more available when they are no longer working. Adding more into superannuation now can have tax advantages. 

3.3 Workplace Participants: 

Employee: 

• An employee is someone who works for another person or entity in return for financial compensation. 

• This work may vary in a number of ways including the nature of the work completed, the level of responsibility and the time spent completing the work. 

• As of February 2019, more than 12.7 million Australians were working as employees. This figure equates to just over half of Australia’s total population. Casual, seasonal, part-time and full time employment are all included in this calculation. An increasing number of employees are looking for more flexible working conditions 

Employers: 

• As of June 2018, there were more than 875 000 employing businesses in Australia. The majority of these were micro businesses with only one to four employees.

• All employers in Australia are subject to the same responsibilities and requirements. These include the provisions of: 

• A safe workspace

• Adequate financial compensation for work completed

• Necessary and relevant education and training

• Contributions to superannuation 

• Essential rights to employees ( such as adequate breaks and supervision ) 

• Fair work commission: Australias national workplace relations tribual and is responsible for administering the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 

Employment Contracts: 

• Employment contracts are between the employees and employers 

• The contrast follows the Fair Work Act 2010 ( law ) 

• Disputes between the employer and employee and there is an enterprise ( employment contract) it is heard at Fair work Commision - makes it legally binding. 

Contractors: 

• Another way that businesses can hire workers for labour is through contracting, realise specific skill sets are only needed at certain times. 

Role of trade unions: 

• Organisation that looks after workers in a particular job or Industry.

• Members pay a fee to finance the union's operations.

• Unions generally aimed to:

• Protect interests of union members; for example, by undertaking campaigns and negotiations for increased pay rates.

• Improve the working conditions of members by monitoring health and safely

• Ensure fair treatment of employees at works eg by limiting work hours.

Employer Associations:

• The Australian Industry Group (AIG) is a peak Industry association representing about 60 OOO businesses.

• Important associations Include: Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Business Council of Australia (BLA) and the Australian Retailers Association.

• Main Roles:

• Advocate for their industry to be a career of Choice.

• Represent employers in dealings with trade unions.

• Give advice and assistance on a wide range of issues such as taxation, Industrial relations and employment legislation

• Lobby governments with their memberships views.

Governments: 

• If support isn’t possible through trade unions or employees associations, federal, state and local government agencies can also provide support.

• They set and enforce employment standards, our governments are one of the most important components of the Australian working environment.

• The regulation of minimum wages, leave and superannuation entitlements are just some examples of these standards. 

3.4 Types of Employment and Work Arrangements: 

3.4.1 Paid Work: 

• Defined by the Australian bureau of Statistics ( ABS ) as performing services for one hour or more per week in return for receiving money or income. Unpaid work compromises of these tasks performed without receiving an income

• Labour force is made up od both full time, part-time, casual, and seasonal work, and made up of people over 25 years old who are either employed or actively seeking for work. 

3.4.2 Types of Employment: 

Full time: 

• Continuing, ongoing employment 

• Numbers of hours per week is 38 or more

• A range of entitlements received

Part-time: 

• Ongoing employment 

• Number of hours per week is fewer than 38 

• Number of hours may be fixed or variable 

• Entitlements received on a pro-rata basis

Casual: 

• Employed on an hourly, or “as needed” basis

• No permanent or weekly roster. 

• Hours may vary from week to week, for instance, 10 hours 1 week and 3hrs the next

• May work for more thn one employer 

• No access to entitlements but a loading required to compensate

Self-Employed: 

• An individual who works for himself or herself. 

3.4.3 The Labour Force and its Workers: 

People not regarded as the labour force: 

• Pensioners people with physical and mental disabilities 

• Full time students who do work 

• Full time careers 

• Volunteers working without pay in institutions e.g state emergency services. 

People considered employed: 

• 15 and over 

• Worked atleast one hour in the week, or have a job even though you were not at work in the week 

• Have received pay, profit, commission, or payment of some kind for your work. 

Employment Relationship: 

Employees → Employers 

Employees provide their labour ( time skills, ect ) to businesses 

Employees   ← Employers 

Employees receive income in return for their labour 

3.4.4 Voluntary Work: 

• Volunteers play an essential role in our society 

• They receive no financial payments e.g volunteer lifeguards. 

3.4.5 Forms of Income: 

• Wages aare a fixed regular payment which can be paid hourly, weekly, fortnightly or monthly

• Salary - total package of remuneration paid to an employee. Including: superannuation, salaries and allowances. 

• Commission - percentages of a sale and an incentive for the employee to make a sale e.g real estate agents

• Profits - applies to people who are self employed, calculated after expenses have been payed. 

• Dividends - paid from the profits from holding shares in an ASX company. 

3.5 The Nature of Work: 

3.5.2 Changing Industries: 

• An industry refers to a group of businesses involved in similar or related work

• An occupation relates to the work or activities that a person performs in order to earn a living

• New occupations and industries are constantly being created as the Australian economyresponds to influences such as technology, globilisation and sustainability. 

3.5.3 Changes in Occupations: 

• In 1900 nearly one-third of our labour force was in primary industries, mainly farming and mining. Since then, the proportion of primary industry workers in the labour force has dwindled to about 3%

3. 6 Patterns of Employment:

3.6.1 Participation Rates:

• Two Income family is more common today than when our grandparents were around, with women today continuing to work throughout the period of having dependent Children.

• The labour force today is well educated, and employees increasingly want more challenging, Interesting work. Many feel driven to build their career through a succession of jobs in a range of different businesses. 

• They want to be more involved in the decision-making process, and to make decisions for themselves. Employees want greater responsibility for their own actions and want to initiate tasks without being ordered to

The changing roles of women and men:

• One of the most significant changes in the Australian workplace has been the increased participation of women.

•  Women comprise approx 47% of the workforce and have a participation rate of 61. 1%

• The participation rate measures an economy's active labour force and is the sum of all employed workers divided by the working age population. It refers to the number of people who are either employed or are actively looking for work.

• On average, the labour force participation rate of women is still lower overall than that of males. This rise reflects increasing educational levels as well as women choosing to work longer Instead of retiring.

• As women have entered the workforce in greater numbers and continued to work after having children the need for formal childcare has Increased. This has led to the growth of the childcare industry I has created significant new job opportunities in this area.

• Another significant change has been an Increase in flexible work options, offering benefits such as parental leave (men& Women)& part-time work, allowing greater flexibility to joggle the demands of work & parenthood.

• Female employees slightly outnumber male.

Full time, Part-time and Casually:

• Casual Workers make up approx. 20% of the labour Force. Retail & Hospitality Industries employ a large proportion of their workers as casual.

3.6.3: Work-life Balance - Flexibility: 

• Some work-life balance initiatives include workplace childcare, family, family leave, and home-based work. 

• Australia’s national paid parental leave scheme should also improve work-life balance families. The government funded scheme commenced in 2011, providing payment for 18 weeks within the first year after the birth of the child. Additional changes were made in 2012 when it was decided that dads and partners were also entitled to 2 weeks paid parental leave. 

• Flexible working conditions are patterns of work that allow employees to balance work life and family obligatioons more effectively. 

• Many businesses also offer permanent part-time work

• Many employers now work 12-hour shifts, broken by days off, as part of their individual agreements ( e.g Docturs and Nurses ) 

• Job security is the likelihood that an employee will keep his or her job, and not face unemployment either through being made redundant or dismissed. 

• In the past 20 years, employees have faced continuing employment cubacks, automation, downsizing, increased competition from impacts and non-unionised domestic companies. Job security can no longer be taken for granted. It is a significant issue for many Australian workers. 

3.6.4: Availability of jobs:

• Late 1960's -> Almost 1/2 of Australia's labour force was employed in production industries such as mining, manufacturing, construction, electricity, gas and water, agriculture, forestry and fishing

• 1997 That proportion had decreased to 28%. During this same period, Service Industries grew substantially. These include: 

• property, and  business Services, 

• accomidation, 

• cates and restaurants, 

• culture 

• recreational services,

•  personal and other services, 

• health and community services,

•  Retail

• Education,

•  transport and Communication,

• Trade & Finance, 

•  Insurance.

• This trend continues today; and is a major factor in shapping the ongoing

changes seen in the Australian workforce.

3. 6. 3: Job Security:

· Job security is the likelihood that an employee will keep his or her job,

and not face unemployment either through being made redundant or

dismissed. Job Security is a significant issue for many Australian

workers:

3. 6. 6: Career Lengths:

• In Australia the national average tenure in a job is 3. 3 years.

• Anecdotal evidence suggests that members of Gen x are likely to change jobs about 11 times during their working life. It is anticipated that this figure may double for Gen Y or Gen Z and Increase even further for Gen Alpha.

•  Research has found that the reason for changing jobs varies from person to person, but may Include:

• Social reasons - response to life events, such as having children.

• Economic reasons - Wanting to obtain better working arrangements.

• Career-related reasons -Wanting to gain further career experience.

• Workplace Inclusion/exclusion or bullying

3. 6. 7: The Impact of technology on the nature of work-redundancy:

• New jobs are being created, while others are made redundant.

•  The so called Information revolution', brought to working day the right to disconnect legislation.

• While technological change improves productivity. It can result in an unprecedented invasion of personal time, which has a negative effect on work-life balance.

3. 6. 8 Globalisation as a changing factor:

• Globalisation is the process of businesses or other organisations developing international presence or starting to operate on an international scale

• Globalisation increases ease in operations, reduces costs for consumers and assists with international trade Success.

3. 6. 9 Sharing Economy - gig economy:

• Economic system whereby goods and services are shared between individuals either for free or for a fee.

• It brings many benefits. Including cheaper goods and services, extra income for providers and provides flexible employment opportunities for worker.

• Often criticised as it tends to treat workers as individual contractors, which can lead to lower wages and poorer working conditions. Firms in the sharing economy also frequently cause problems for traditional businesses e.g Uber for the Taxi Business