What are the benefits of work?

What are the benefits of work?

by Georgina Richard

Open Ended

What do you think are the advantages of having a job, apart from being paid to do it?

​Some benefits of work to consider

​Health benefits

​Physical health – work may lead to a more active lifestyle. This is particularly true if the job itself involves some type of physical activity. Even though many modern jobs are more sedentary (i.e. involve sitting in an office all day), getting to and from work may mean that people engage in more physical activity than they would otherwise.

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​Mental health – work tends to give people more confidence and self-esteem (i.e. a sense of having more worth or value). Work can also give people a greater sense of security because they are able to meet their material needs. Although many jobs can be boring or monotonous, it is still probably less boring or monotonous to be working than not to work.

​Social benefits

​Work tends to give people a sense of identity (‘I’m a teacher’), and may also give people more status in society than not being in work.

Work can give people the opportunity to establish networks of acquaintances and friends outside the immediate family, possibly enriching people’s social lives. Work which brings people into contact with others can reduce the sense of social isolation. Working with others in teams can help to develop social and communication skills as well as the technical skills needed for the job. 

​‘Job satisfaction’

Work may be rewarding to the individual in other ways than just economic gain, giving them a sense of pride and achievement when tasks are accomplished, engaging their interest, presenting them with fresh challenges and learning opportunities, making them feel useful or helpful to others, etc.

Prepare a set of questions about the benefits of work to ask a trusted person in your immediate environment (e.g. employees of the school, members of their family).

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You should prepare five questions. Arrange an interview with the person, and record their responses to the questions.

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Your tasks....

​Example of questions.

• Do you think it is important for a grown up to get a job?​ Why?

• ​How do you feel about having a job?

• ​Is there anything that you would like to advice youngsters about having a job?

• ​Do you think education is important for us to find / secure a good job? Why?

• ​Other then getting paid, what other benefits can you get by having a job?

• ​Do you get new skills after having a job? If yes, what is it?

• ​Do you love your job? Why?

Now, please complete the work in

Google Classroom.