Econ8 - Workers and Trade Unions Worksheet

What could discourage women from seeking employment?

• More education and training are provided.

• More flexible and part-time jobs are available.

• There are fewer promotion opportunities for women.

• There is a shift in employment to the services sector.

Why does specialisation increase the productivity of employees?

• Average cost of production increases.

• Staff turnover is high.

• Time is saved by not moving between tasks.

• Workers lose interest in their job.

Why do women, on average, earn less than men?

• Women may be less able than men.

• Women are not eligible for government jobs.

• Women may not work as hard as men.

• Women often face discrimination in the workplace.

In which occupation would wages tend to increase?

• in those where a worker is paid weekly

• in those where a worker needs less training

• in those where there is an excess demand for labour

• in those where work becomes less dangerous

What is an example of a non-wage factor?

• bonus

• commission

• fringe benefits

• overtime rates

Carlos has been offered a new job with a large multinational company. He is undecided whether to accept the position. What is a non-wage factor he might consider?

• bonus payments

• holiday entitlement

• overtime rate

• salary level

What does not have an effect on wages in a free market economy?

• danger levels in the workplace

• government regulations

• the number of people willing and able to work

• the years of training required

Which statement explains why the pay of doctors is usually higher than the pay of hospital cleaners?

• Doctors have a higher opportunity cost in qualifying.

• Doctors have a more elastic supply than hospital cleaners.

• Hospital cleaners belong to trade unions with stronger bargaining powers.

• Hospital cleaners have a more inelastic demand than doctors.

When is it most likely that the demand for labour in an industry increases?

• When the demand for the industry’s product increases.

• When the level of immigration into the country increases.

• When the level of qualifications needed to work in the industry decreases.

• When the level of wages paid in the industry increases.

What could affect the size of the labour force in an economy?

• the existence of a trade union

• the government’s immigration policy

• the quality of university graduates

• the ratio of male to female employees