Work and Jobs

Overview

You might often think about work and jobs together, but they don't always mean the same thing.

We've already looked at the different meanings of work. When you talk about 'jobs', you usually mean something that involves a set series of tasks carried out for an employer who pays for the services. There are a lot of different ways in which you can have a job. You can be a full-time worker, a part-time or casual employee, or a contractor, Jobs can be permanent or temporary. Each of these is a legitimate way of working. If you look around you as you walk along the street, how many people do you think might be contractors? Perhaps there is someone working on the road - these people might be self-employed, or they could be contractors, or even employed by the council. What about your own work?

Let's look in more detail at what defines a job.

Many definitions of work include the idea of a 'job.' But what does the term 'job' mean? A job used to mean a role in an organisation and, for many, work is synonymous with employment in a permanent job. Today, however, for an increasing number of people, work and the traditional job do not always go together.

A job, in 21st-century terms, can mean a customer, client, or project. For example, when people in the advertising industry talk about 'the job' they are probably referring to a project for a particular client.

Work today can be any one or a combination of the following.

Full time

Full-time work is considered by many to be a 40-hour-week. This usually means working for an employer and requires work to be done for at least five days a week and at least 6 hours a day.

Part time

Part-time work is paid employment that normally is for a portion of a day at agreed times.

Casual work

Casual work requires being available on an 'on call' basis for employment where the employer will contact you when and if you are needed.

Self-employment

If you are self-employed you are working as an independent businessperson, either on contract or at an hourly rate. A self-employed person will be responsible for their own income taxes, payments, and paperwork.

Contract work

Usually this happens when a self-employed person sets an agreed figure for a job. When that job is finished, they will either move on to a new contract or renegotiate a further term with the current organisation.

Temporary work

Temporary work is short-term employment, usually to replace a full-time worker who is absent. This could be for several reasons, such as maternity leave or service in the Territorial Army.

Patterns in full- and part-time employment

In each of these situations the type of job (in other words the person's role in the organisation or workplace) will be different. In each situation, the person's attitude to their work and job will also differ.

In the UK, people in full-time employment account for less than 50 per cent of the total workforce. Twenty-four per cent of Britain's working population are part-timers, 15 per cent are self-employed, 8 per cent are temporary workers, and 8 per cent are unemployed at any time.

In New Zealand

• the most rapid growth in employment between 1986 and 1996 was among part-time workers, particularly men
• the number of men in full-time employment declined by 13 per cent between 1986 and 1991
• overall, the increase in women in employment between 1991 and 1996 was nearly twice that of men.

Although the form of work is in transition, one thing remains constant. Most people have a strong need to work. The desire to be creative, enterprising, and active is built into most of us. In addition, most of us want to be of service, to help, to feel we have contributed and been of use to someone.

If you look at Antz, you will see that people are employed in many different ways.

Anthony owns the business.
  Imelda is permanent, full time.
    Ben is also permanent, full time.
      Jo has a contract.
        Naomi is permanent, full time.
          Joel is permanent and part time.
            Max is permanent with a production bonus.
              Karaitiana is permanent, on a salary with overtime.
                Ana is permanent and also on a salary.
                  Tuala has a fixed-term agreement.

These are just a few of the people employed at Antz, but you can see they all have some differences in their employment arrangements.