Determining Working Conditions

and Earning Potential

Learning targets 6.1 I can explain working conditions in

an occupation. 6.2 I can list the major factors in a work

environment. 6.3 I can describe how earning

potential varies among occupations.

Terms Earning potential Hazard Personal conflict Working conditions Work environment

6.1 I can explain working conditions in an occupation.

Think about your favorite place.

What about it do you like, why is it your favorite place?

Using your bell work list items that describe the

environment (conditions) that is found at the place.

Things you might list include the following: quiet place, people all around, music all around, fun things to do, good food, fish are biting, or freedom to do as I please.

I. Working conditions refer to the general situations in which an occupation is carried out.

Working conditions include physical surroundings as well as the duties of the occupation.

A. Working conditions associated with occupations are viewed differently by people depending on their personal interests, backgrounds, and goals.

1. Some occupations involve working outside; others are inside.

2. Some occupations involve operating machinery.

3. Some occupations involve dealing with people.

4. Some occupations require people to assume large amounts of responsibility.

B. Individuals should study an occupation to determine the working conditions in which it is typically carried out. This is an important part of the process of selecting an occupation.

C. Several approaches can be used in studying the working conditions of an occupation.

1. Job shadowing allows a firsthand view of the conditions under which the duties of an occupation are carried out.

2. Interview people who work in an occupation about the work environment.

3. Review video tapes and other materials that show people at work in various occupations.

4. Supervised agricultural experience provides an excellent opportunity for learning the nature of the work environment for a particular occupation.

Target Practice 6.1 What is meant by working conditions? What are three examples of working

conditions that are associated with an occupation?

6.2 I can list the major factors in a work environment.

The work environment is the sum of the characteristics of the location where work is done.

Some occupations are carried out in widely varying environments, such as a farm equipment salesperson who may be in a field demonstrating equipment or at an office entering information into a computer. Other occupations tend to be in the same environment, such as a floral designer inside a shop.

Work environment is influenced by where the work is carried out, such as inside or outside.

1. Work may be inside a building that is environmentally controlled, such as an office, or that has odors, fumes, gases, dusts, and other factors, such as the steam or high humidity in a food processing facility.

2. Work may be outside in the sun, cold or warm weather, rain or snow, and other climate conditions as they vary by season of the year and time of day. The possibilities outside vary with all of the different natural environmental factors that are present.

B. The work environment makes an occupation appealing or undesirable, depending on an individual’s preferences.

1. The following make for an appealing work environment for some people (these apply only to certain occupations, depending on the nature of the work):

a. Pleasant people—Coworkers and supervisors are happy and work as a team.

b. Safe environment—Hazards are few and, if present, appropriate safety measures have been taken.

c. Modern surroundings—Equipment and facilities are up-to-date, freshly painted, and properly heated and cooled; lighting is refreshing and right for the work; and acoustical features absorb sound, forming an appealing workplace.

d. Clean and orderly surroundings—Careful attention is given to cleaning floors, windows, walls, restrooms, and other areas. All furnishings, supplies, and equipment are properly stored when not in use.

2. The following make for an undesirable work environment for some people (these apply only to certain occupations, depending on the nature of the work):

a. Unpleasant people—Coworkers and supervisors do not get along well and fail to work as a team. Some workers do not do their share of the work. In some cases, personal conflicts may arise. A personal conflict is a difference of opinion that creates a negative relationship. Conflicts among people reduce productivity and may lower earning potential as well as personal satisfaction from the work.

b. Hazards are present—A hazard is a potential danger that may cause personal injury. Merely the nature of the work may result in some hazards being present. Safety measures can be taken in an attempt to reduce the risk of being injured by a hazard. Hazards often found in agricultural/horticultural occupations include dust or moisture particles may be present in the air, eyes may be injured by flying objects, improper ventilation may be provided, and electrical service may fail to meet electrical codes.

c. Old, out-of-date surroundings—Equipment and facilities may be old and in a poor state of repair. (Note that not all facilities that appear old are hazardous. It depends on how well they have been maintained.)

d. Unclean and disorderly areas—Facilities may not be regularly cleaned, waste may accumulate, and/or materials and equipment may not be neatly stored.

Target Practice 6.2

The sum of the characteristics of the location where work is done is called the ______________________________.

Identify two characteristics in a work environment and contrast them as appealing and undesirable.

6.3 I can list the major factors in a work environment.

Earning potential is the wages and other benefits that an individual receives from gainful employment. It includes monetary compensation and employee benefits.

Monetary compensation varies in several ways.

1. Experience—People who have more experience usually receive greater pay (monetary compensation).

2. Level of responsibility—People who have greater responsibility usually receive greater pay.

3. Education—Pay may vary with the level of education. Individuals who have specific training begin with higher pay than those with less education. (The ability to get a job depends on education and the skills of an individual.)

4. Value of product or service—People who work in occupations that produce products or services of high value typically receive higher pay than those in occupations with products or services of lower value, such as a veterinarian receives greater monetary income than a turf farm laborer.

5. Productivity—Employers compensate employees who are more productive at a higher level. This is especially true with commissions and piece work, such as the volume of sales by a salesperson.

6. Competition—Occupations with few people qualified to do the work typically have higher pay than occupations where many people are qualified to do the work. Employers have to pay more to get employees in case of a shortage of qualified people.

Benefits vary similarly to monetary compensation, though some employers have better employee benefits programs than others. Larger businesses or agencies have printed statements of policies on benefits, such as personal leave, health care leave, and retirement programs.

1. Individuals with more experience typically receive more benefits, such as basing the amount of personal leave on the number of years a person has been with an employer.

2. Insurance, paid retirement programs, and other benefits may vary widely from one employer to another.

3. Always get information on benefits in making job decisions. Such information may be important in making a particular choice.

4. Self-employed individuals need to plan their situations so that they have insurance, retirement, and other benefits that people often need.

Long-term earning potential is an important factor in choosing an occupation and employer.

1. Entry-level pay and benefits are important and should be considered along with the anticipated future potential.

2. Experience with one employer may be very useful in changing jobs later.

Activity

Target Practice 6.3 Wages and other benefits received from gainful employment is

called what? Name and explain any two factors that

determine the monetary compensation an employee receives.