Premium Essay

Working Conditions

In:

Submitted By shughes
Words 803
Pages 4
Working conditions

Working conditions refers to the working environment and aspects of an employee’s terms and conditions of employment. This covers such matters as: the organisation of work and work activities; training, skills and employability; health, safety and well-being; and working time and work-life balance. Pay is also an important aspect of working conditions, although Article 153 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) excludes pay from the scope of its actions in the area of working conditions.

Improving working conditions is one of the goals of the EU. Article 151 TFEU states that: ‘The Union and the Member States… shall have as their objectives the promotion of employment, improved living and working conditions, so as to make possible their harmonisation while the improvement is being maintained’. Further, Article 153 TFEU states that ‘the Union shall support and complement the activities of the Member States’ in a range of social policy fields, including working conditions (Article 153 1(b)).

The thinking of the EU on its competences in the area of working conditions has developed considerably over the past half century. The original EEC Treaty of 1957 took the view that the objectives of improved living and working conditions were to be achieved primarily through the mechanisms of the common market. Intervention was only to secure what was consistent with the common market: the free movement of labour. This policy was revised in 1972, when European heads of state agreed that the increasing involvement of labour and management in the economic and social decisions of the Community was desirable. Accordingly, the European Commission was instructed to draw up a Social Action Programme (SAP), the three main objectives of which were: attainment of full and better employment in the Community; improvement of living and

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Dr. Ward: The Working Conditions

...In the factories, the working conditions were unsafe to the working class families. In Dr. Wards interview, he clearly states that it wasn’t safe for children to be working in factories. “The state of the health of the cotton-factories children is much worse than that of children employed in other manufactories” ( Source: Dr. Ward). Dr. Ward is a medical professional who has seen numerous textile mills, his testimony proves the unhealthy nature of these factories compared to others. Some factory owners would beat the children to work harder or even faster. Children would be working 15 hours a day and come in the next day still working under all the harsh conditions of the factories. “That they are often cruelly beaten by the spinners of overlookers...

Words: 333 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Working Conditions

...chapter 12 13 i think the government is playing its role in ensuring that the food supplied by the business is safe and invidual rights are protected as it is required by law to include the ingrdiants on the package to aware the consumer for any harmfull effects that might happen by the consumption of the particular food , however there is still a lot of room left where government can play its part. i am a manager at walmart and from my personal experience there are lot of rules and regualulations are implied by the government when i was hired as a manager i have to pass the federal test for food safety. in order to pass the test i had to learn the temeperatures at which a particular food should be cooked and held besides that in walmart stores all the product in fresh produce area are labeled with either its organic , non-organic along with the country of orgin. the descriptive tags are attached with the shelf to privide information and ingridants that is readily available for the consumer.there are visits in the store by food inspector once a week to make sure the cleanliness and the things are there where they are supposed to be. i think the key to it is how the business implement on the rules and guidlines given by the government when it comes to food areas.the government can make it better by doing more frequent surprise visits and also check the point of origin where the food is coming from. chap 7 stages of citizenship Corporate citizenship...

Words: 1192 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Social Determinants of Health: Working Conditions as a Determinant of Health

...Working Conditions as a Determinant of Health This summary is primarily based on papers and presentations by Andrew Jackson, Senior Economist, Canadian Labour Congress, and Michael Polanyi Assistant Professor, Saskatchewan Population Health Research and Evaluation Unit, and Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina. The presentations were prepared for The Social Determinants of Health Across the Life-Span Conference, held in Toronto in November 2002. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Health Canada. Current Situation Over the 1980s and 1990s, there has been an ongoing restructuring of the labour market and of employment relationships. The intent of these changes has been to promote productivity and competitiveness, as opposed to promoting a worker-centred agenda of “good jobs” (Lowe, 2000). In Canada, only two-thirds of the employed workforce are in “standard” salaried jobs with no defined end date (mostly provided by large firms and the public sector). In this shrinking core job market, workers who have survived layoffs, privatization and contracting-out are generally working longer and harder. Employers have tried to increase profitability and competitiveness and to contain budgets by boosting productivity. This has been accomplished largely by increasing workloads. For example, in the health sector, fewer nurses, social workers and other health professionals must now deal...

Words: 3260 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Working Conditions and Employee Performance in the Public Sector in Ghana (a Case Study of Madina Polyclinic)

...Working Conditions and Employee Performance in the Public Sector (A Case Study of Madina Polyclinic) By Mr. Kley Elikem Pius pius3000@yahoo.com Abstract Management’s new challenge is to create an environment that attracts, retain and motivates its workforce. This study seeks to examine the working conditions on the performance of employees. It is also aimed at identifying the perception of employees about their working conditions. The study employs descriptive and sample survey techniques. A sample of 50 employees was selected from the Madina Polyclinic in Ghana where the study is focused by the application of stratified and sample random sampling methods. Data was collected by the use of a well-designed questionnaire. It was found that casual workers were not satisfied with their working conditions while aside them other employees were somehow/ averagely satisfied with their working conditions. Working conditions such as quietness of workplace, office arrangement, availability of working materials, salaries, bonuses and allowances and job security have an influence on the performance of employees. It was thus recommended that to ensure improvement in employee performance and productivity, measures should be put in place to establish a conducive working condition for employees. 1.1 INTRODUCTION Management’s new challenge is to form an environment that attracts, retain and motivate its workforce. The responsibility lies with managers and supervisors at all...

Words: 6072 - Pages: 25

Free Essay

Workers Rights and Working Conditions

...don’t think that drug testing is an invasion of the employee’s privacy. The Employer informs the potential employees if a drug test is required before hiring them, and also if they can do it at any time during their employment period. The applicant has the option not to take the job if they feel their privacy is being invaded. An employer needs to know that they have responsible employees working for them since they are the ones doing the job. When someone is on drugs even if it’s not during work hours it can affect their production, or them being on time and many other reasons. The employee is trying to protect themselves, and if it’s illegal they shouldn’t be doing it anyways. I think that getting the drugs out of the workplace is more important than protecting the privacy of the employee from drug testing. The employee is informed about the drug tests and they have the option to deny it as well. It is more important to have a safe working environment with responsible people who will perform their jobs on a daily basis. What about other health-threatening activities, i.e. smoking outside of working hours, unprotected sex, etc. Should employers be able to question or test employees or potential employees about these activities? I don’t think that if the employee smokes or has unprotected sex that it is any of the employers business. The employee isn’t doing anything illegal. Smoking may cause the employee to have some serious issues at some point, and although it may affect the...

Words: 524 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Industrial Revolution Working Conditions Essay

...Industrial Revolution The working conditions of the industrial workers would be outlawed in our era. It wasn’t till 1819 that hours were limited to 12 hours per day for children. And in 1874 no workers were allowed to work more than 56.6 hours per weak. But the most horrid encounter with the industrial workers is from the testimonies from workers in the industrial revolution. Based on the parliamentary testimonies in our handout, we can conclude that working conditions were horrible from the view of the worker; but seen from the employers and parents of workers, the views of working conditions were tolerable. (Working Conditions in the Industrial Revolution) A lot of atention went to children and women during this time. It wasn’t till 1847 that hours were minimized for women and children. The Factory Act of 1847 gave a “maximum of 10 hour work per day for women and children.” (Working Conditions in the Industrial...

Words: 1640 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Conditional Practice Key

...between the two countries beforehand, today, so many children and the old (suffer) from hunger and cold. 5. I overate last night, so I couldn't sleep well. If I (eat) so much, I (have) a sweet sleep. 6. (Be) I in your shoes now, I (choose) to decline this offer. 7. But for Kevin's assistance, we (complete) our term paper in time. 8. No one can succeed anything unless s/he really (resolve) to do it. 9. If you (forget) to take the compass, we (be) lost now. Also: ( Had forgotten/ would be) 10. As long as your company (assure) our success in marketing, we (continue) doing business with you. 11. I wouldn't be so upset if you (invite) me to your birthday party last Wednesday. 12. You can use my dictionary on condition that you (promise) to bring it back tonight. 13. All this calamity (happen) if they (cut) most of the trees in that area. 14. I (take) some cash with me in case I exceeded my credit card limit. 15. Only if George apologizes to Mary, forgive him. Final del...

Words: 261 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Information Overload

...The Information Overload This paper discusses changes that corporations may undertake to mitigate information overload. What I intend to show here is that it would be prudent of a corporation to make changes to social systems in order to return to a more productive state of organization. Certainly technical systems play an important role in controlling what information is necessary to assist in the scope of an individual’s specific work goal for the corporation. As the old adage goes, “garbage in, garbage out” and technical influences, such as fire walls, spam filters, permission and security settings can minimize or eliminate all together both input and output garbage as it were. I have served over 20 years in the Army, and continue to work for the DoD for example, the internet used for everyday business is very restrictive, you are not likely to get overloaded with useless information on this media, there are some exceptions that may allow you to move beyond the necessary parameters for safe computing, however, the network monitoring systems in place would have human intervention to your location within the hour. While imposing technical influences on computer systems through a well established IT program in a corporation is a must do task for any organization, social systems must be in place and supportive of the technical systems in order to successfully mitigate information overload. What I am saying here is that employees must have a corporation success oriented attitude...

Words: 1342 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Review

...by Franz Kafka. Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” can be read as a depiction of humanity’s condition in the modern. The text can be depicted as humanities condition in the modern world, as Gregor Samsa transformation into a “monstrous” insect. Gregor’s transformation is in fact a metaphor for his realization, as what he is in the Samsa household. He is in actual fact an insect; he exemplifies the characteristics of an insect, he leaves no fun for himself, “He just sits here at the table, quietly reading the newspaper or poring over timetables.” This illustrates that Gregor does not possess human characteristics, but is in actual fact an insect to the Samsa household. One could argue that Kafka’s “Metamorphosis depicts human conditions, as these days, everything is about work, the focus on one’s inner self and inner person has diminished. The human race is infatuated with greed, money, power and status, but we as humans have forgotten and lost the beauty of one’s inner being and self. People have lost identity, in Gregor’s case, he is just an insect, who’s sole purpose is to provide for his family, and not for one second think about his own well being. Gregor does not have any real hobbies; any form of fun, friends (apart from his sister Grete) and all he can do and think about is work. Thus drawing the parallels of the life of an insect and the life of Gregor’s, and in turn a metaphor for the human condition in the modern world. At the beginning of the text, there is a series of very bizarre...

Words: 898 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Managers Perspective Paper

...cannot be eliminated it is essential fact of the human condition (Maddox, 1998). Maintenance professionals will always try to avoid making errors. Unfortunately, even the most highly trained and motivated professionals will make mistakes, however, with suitable understanding of the human factor and appropriate training, professionals can mitigate the consequences of errors. The human factor component of aviation maintenance can be grouped in four general categories: 1. Effective training for technicians and inspectors; 2. On the job safety of maintenance workers; 3. Human error that compromises public safety; and 4. Overall cost of maintenance errors. The Human Factor in Aviation Maintenance Aviation is an industry where mistakes mean lives are at risk. Airplanes have become more complicated and sophisticated in their evolution within the past 50 years. Maintenance technicians must continuously update their proficiency and knowledge in airplane repair because of the enormous differences in new and old aircraft that are presently in use (Maddox, 1998). Aviation maintenance professionals have earned high levels of technical skills training associated with their profession, however research in a number of industrial sectors indicate that up to 80% of accident causes can be attributed to a breakdown in human interaction. Human error cannot be eliminated it is essential fact of the human condition (Maddox, 1998). The science of human factor has been...

Words: 1518 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Nervous Condition

...Men In Nervous Conditions: An Ignored Matter The men of Zimbabwe struggled to assert the independence of their people against political, cultural and religious colonial pressure (Vembe), but reduced women to silent supporters (Stone 113). This dynamic still holds true on the literary front, where male writers of Zimbabwe, and Africa in general, present to the west male-centered, idealized pictures of traditional women and culture. Women, however, uncertain that men will revalue them, concern themselves with the pressures within the culture (McLeod). For this reason, the men of Africa generally discourage female authors from revealing their gritty perspectives. Further, E. Kim Stone writes, “Under colonialism, female storytellers were excluded from the few powerful positions the British system of colonization allowed in Rhodesia,” suggesting the traditional place of women as storytellers, somewhat ironically, was also suppressed by the colonizers. Only women are interested in revealing the internal pressures of postcolonial Zimbabwe. But these hidden pressures are just the ones that cause the “nervous conditions” in the book titled as such. A female character narrates this text about women, bearing to light women's struggles to be themselves within a constraining environment. But even as critics revel in this rare, realistic portrayal of Zimbabwean women, they seldom explore the significance of Tsitsi Dangarembga's representation of men, too often passing them off as flat characters...

Words: 4225 - Pages: 17

Free Essay

Lotf Essay

...hide behind the idea of maturity which can quickly disintegrate when scared. This of course happened in Lord of The Flies the maturity disintegrated and they descended into savagery. It is simply human nature “I believed that the condition of man was to be morally diseased creation…trace the connection between his diseased nature and the international messes he gets himself into”. (Pg. 253) The symbolism in Lord of The Flies represents so many different aspects of society. The conch represents democracy and power it being the object that brings them together to vote, assemble and speak freely. As long as the conch exists the island is a place of order and fairness and with the conch comes Ralphs reign as chief. But when the boys begin to ignore the conch does Jack gain more power though he is still not equal to Ralph until the conch is destroyed the conch represented Ralphs authority and with it gone the boys no longer registered him as chief “Suddenly Jack bounded out from the tribe and began screaming wildly… ‘There isn’t a tribe anymore! The conch is gone… I’m chief!” (Pg. 223) This shows how a system of rules and order is needed to control the violent and impulsive aspects of human nature. The fire is symbol of hope for the human condition. It is something that...

Words: 1611 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Night Monther Mise En Scene

...Kentucky in 1947. A child who was isolated from the world by her family’s religious norms found comfort in playing the piano, reading books and playing with her imaginary friend called Bettering. Isolation and loneliness of life is something that is familiar to this play wright and is found in her many works such as “The Secret Garden” and “Getting Out”. Marsha Norman’s imaginary friend Bettering can be seen as a metaphor that compares her own relationships with her family, particularly her mother, and the feelings of alienation she felt as a child and her desire to be in control and better her life. (Yes, fascinating name she chose for her imaginary friend! Children can be so wise) Her own childhood experiences and experience as an adult working with gifted and emotionally disturbed children in a state hospital gave her insight into the loneliness and alienation caused by many societal stigmatic taboos. The coping strategies of caretakers and family members she experienced through her occupation may have influenced her creative works in the film ‘night, Mother. Marsha Normans...

Words: 2864 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Plato: Illuminating the Human Condition

...Plato: Illuminating the Human Condition In “The Allegory of the Cave,” Plato starts his writing with, “and now, I said, let me show a figure how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened…” (66). The definition of allegory is “the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence; also: an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expression” (Merriam-Webster). Plato’s works were written before the birth of Christ. Yet it is just as relevant today as it bears witness to the complexity of human life and sheds light on the human condition—certainly a timeless topic for exploration. Plato’s writing depicts how we, as human beings, view, understand, and experience life and the things around us in our own unique way, and how we all struggle to make the right choices for ourselves, as it’s often easier to take the path of least resistance. When we see the sun, do we all see the same sun or see the same color? When we dream, do we all experience the same dream and give it the same meaning? These thoughts and feelings require us to look at our existence in a metacognitive way. As the story begins, there are prisoners living in a cave, bound by chains, and surrounded by fire. They can only see what is right in front of them. There is an opening in the front of cave that allows the light in. The prisoners can choose to see the light outside and yearn to be out of the cave, although most of them believe it is easier...

Words: 1029 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

20th Century Genius Award

...The definition of Humanities is described as the study of people processing and documenting, the human experience. Since humans have had the ability, we have utilized philosophy, literature, art, religion, history, language, and music to understand and record the world in which we live. The symbols of expression have become some of the subject matters that usually fall under the umbrella of humanities. Gaining knowledge of the records of human experiences, gives one the opportunity to feel a connection to those who came before our time, as well as the contemporaries. (Stanford Humanities). Distinguish the humanities from other modes of human inquiry and expression. Humanities are described as academic disciplines that study the human condition, by using methods that are largely analytic, speculative, or critical. It differs from others that utilize an empirical approach, or evidence or consequences that have the ability to be observed by senses. (Weegy.com). : List a current example of each type of the following humanities and explain why each example you give reflects current developments in politics, socioeconomics, and technology * Art-In today’s development in art it includes: “digitization and computerized/graphic arts as a major form of expression.” (weegy.com). This development was made possible by technology advancements. For example, first computers, then higher levels of software, then digitization, and this allowed manipulation of massive amounts of data...

Words: 722 - Pages: 3