- Work is anything that requires effort to achieve a result.
- Work can be divided into three categories: unpaid work, employment and volunteerism.
Unpaid Work
- Unpaid work is any work undertaken for no financial gain. For example, being a stay at home parent.
Features of Unpaid Work
- No payment is received for the work.
- The work benefits the worker, their family or their friends.
- There is usually no formal structure to the work.
Benefits of Unpaid Work
- Learning new information and skills
- Doing something you enjoy.
- The satisfaction of achieving a goal.
Employment
- Employment is any work done in return for payment.
- An employed person may be hired to work for someone else or may work for themselves.
- A person who works for someone else in return for payment is called and employee. For example, office workers.
- An employer is someone who pays people to work for them.
Features of Being an Employee
- A wage or salary is received in return for the work.
- Employees have certain rights and responsibilities.
Benefits of Being an Employee
- Regular payment.
- Possible benefits-in-kind. Foe example a company car.
Self-Employment
- Self-employment means working for yourself.
Features of Self-employment
- Full responsibility for all aspects of the business.
- No set work hours.
- There is risk of loosing money if the business is not making any profit.
Benefits of Self-employment
- Being your own boss.
- Doing something you enjoy.
- Making all the decisions.
- Keeping all the profits.
- Choosing your own working hours.
Volunteerism
- Volunteerism is the practise of volunteering time and energy without payment, in order to benefit society.
Features of Volunteerism
- Voluntary work is a choice.
- There is no payment for the work.
- The work benefits other people, within the local community or in wider society.
- Voluntary work is not a substitute for employment.
Benefits of Volunteerism
- Learning new skills.
- The satisfaction of helping others.
- It may help you get a job in the future.
- Playing an active role in the community.