Improving living standards
Imagine your teenage cousin just got her ýrst pay from a part-time job. She decides to buy new running shoes with her money to help her train better. Working gives people money to buy what they need and want. This is called satisfying material living standards . People with high incomes can buy lots of things like designer clothes, fancy cars and overseas holidays. But work also affects non-material living standards , which relate to a person’s quality of life. This includes things like crime rates, health and happiness. People who work usually feel happier, although this is hard to measure.
FIGURE4 A cardiologist is a doctor who helps people with heart and blood vessel problems. Cardiology is one of the highest-paid jobs in Australia.
Self-esteem In a recent survey, 200 employees of a factory were asked to write down the most important aspect of their work. The responses revealed that it was not money that was important. Sixty-seven per cent of the employees said the most rewarding aspects were knowing they had done the job well and receiving some praise from their supervisor.
SkillBuilder discussion Evaluating, concluding and decision-making 1. Why is it important for workers to know they are doing their job well? 2. How can employers help workers feel appreciated for their work? 3. What are some signs that show a worker is doing a good job?
FIGURE5 Knowing they are doing a job well is very important to many workers.
Happiness For many people, work can make them happy. Studies show that if you enjoy your job and your co-workers, you’ll feel happier in other parts of your life. TABLE1 summarises some of the non-ýnancial and ýnancial beneýts of being employed and participating in the workforce. TABLE1 Some of the beneýts of participating in the workforce Non-ýnancial beneýts of participating in the workforce Financial beneýts of participating in the workforce • The opportunity to use your skills and abilities in a positive way • Meeting and mixing with new people • Doing something you love and are passionate about • Earning an income • Exchanging money for goods and services • Being a consumer • Having the ability to buy what you need and want • Creating and maintaining a good standard of living for your family
• Increasing your self-esteem and conýdence • Developing your natural strengths and talents • Being part of a group or a team at work • Having friends at work • Contributing to the Australian economy • Being happy
592 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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