6.1 I can explain working conditions in an
occupation.
 6.2 I can list the major factors in a work
environment.
 6.3 I can describe how earning potential
varies among occupations.

Earning potential
 Hazard
 Personal conflict
 Working conditions
 Work environment

Think
about your favorite
place.
What about it do you like,
why is it your favorite
place?
list items that describe the environment
(conditions) that is found at the place.
 Things you might list include the
following: quiet place, people all
around, music all around, fun things to
do, good food, fish are biting, or
freedom to do as I please.



I. Working conditions
refer to the general
situations in which an
occupation is
carried out.
Working conditions
include physical
surroundings as well
as the duties of the
occupation.

A. Working conditions associated with
occupations are viewed differently by
people depending on their personal
interests, backgrounds, and goals.
1. Some occupations involve working
outside; others are inside.
 2. Some occupations involve operating
machinery.
 3. Some occupations involve dealing
with people.
 4. Some occupations require people to
assume large amounts of responsibility.


B. Individuals should study an
occupation to determine the working
conditions in which it is typically carried
out. This is an important part of the
process of selecting an occupation.
1. Job shadowing allows a firsthand view of
the conditions under which the duties of an
occupation are carried out.
 2. Interview people who work in an
occupation about the work environment.
 3. Review video tapes and other materials
that show people at work in various
occupations.
 4. Supervised agricultural experience
provides an excellent opportunity for
learning the nature of the work
environment for a particular occupation.

What is meant by working
conditions?
 What are three examples of working
conditions that are associated with an
occupation?

The work environment is the sum of the
characteristics of the location where work is
done.
 Some occupations are carried out in widely
varying environments, such as a farm
equipment salesperson who may be in a
field demonstrating equipment or at an
office entering information into a computer.
Other occupations tend to be in the same
environment, such as a floral designer inside
a shop.


Work environment is influenced by where
the work is carried out, such as inside or
outside.

1. Work may be inside a building that is
environmentally controlled, such as an
office, or that has odors, fumes, gases,
dusts, and other factors, such as the
steam or high humidity in a food
processing facility.

2. Work may be outside in the sun, cold
or warm weather, rain or snow, and
other climate conditions as they vary by
season of the year and time of day. The
possibilities outside vary with all of the
different natural environmental factors
that are present.

B. The work environment makes an
occupation appealing or undesirable,
depending on an individual’s
preferences.

1. The following make for an appealing
work environment for some people
(these apply only to certain
occupations, depending on the nature
of the work):
a. Pleasant people—Coworkers and
supervisors are happy and work as a
team.
 b. Safe environment—Hazards are few
and, if present, appropriate safety
measures have been taken.


c. Modern surroundings—Equipment and
facilities are up-to-date, freshly painted,
and properly heated and cooled;
lighting is refreshing and right for the
work; and acoustical features absorb
sound, forming an appealing workplace.

d. Clean and orderly surroundings—
Careful attention is given to cleaning
floors, windows, walls, restrooms, and
other areas. All furnishings, supplies, and
equipment are properly stored when not
in use.

2. The following make for an undesirable
work environment for some people
(these apply only to certain
occupations, depending on the nature
of the work):

a. Unpleasant people—Coworkers and
supervisors do not get along well and fail
to work as a team. Some workers do not
do their share of the work. In some cases,
personal conflicts may arise. A personal
conflict is a difference of opinion that
creates a negative relationship. Conflicts
among people reduce productivity and
may lower earning potential as well as
personal satisfaction from the work.

b. Hazards are present—A hazard is a
potential danger that may cause personal
injury. Merely the nature of the work may
result in some hazards being present. Safety
measures can be taken in an attempt to
reduce the risk of being injured by a hazard.
Hazards often found in
agricultural/horticultural occupations
include dust or moisture particles may be
present in the air, eyes may be injured by
flying objects, improper ventilation may be
provided, and electrical service may fail to
meet electrical codes.

c. Old, out-of-date surroundings—
Equipment and facilities may be old and
in a poor state of repair. (Note that not
all facilities that appear old are
hazardous. It depends on how well they
have been maintained.)

d. Unclean and disorderly areas—
Facilities may not be regularly cleaned,
waste may accumulate, and/or
materials and equipment may not be
neatly stored.
The sum of the characteristics of the
location where work is done is called the
______________________________.
 Identify two characteristics in a work
environment and contrast them as
appealing and undesirable.


Earning potential is the wages and other
benefits that an individual receives from
gainful employment. It includes
monetary compensation and employee
benefits.
1. Experience—People who have more
experience usually receive greater pay
(monetary compensation).
 2. Level of responsibility—People who have
greater responsibility usually receive greater
pay.
 3. Education—Pay may vary with the level
of education. Individuals who have specific
training begin with higher pay than those
with less education. (The ability to get a job
depends on education and the skills of an
individual.)

4. Value of product or service—People
who work in occupations that produce
products or services of high value
typically receive higher pay than those
in occupations with products or services
of lower value, such as a veterinarian
receives greater monetary income than
a turf farm laborer.
 5. Productivity—Employers compensate
employees who are more productive at
a higher level. This is especially true with
commissions and piece work, such as the
volume of sales by a salesperson.


6. Competition—Occupations with few
people qualified to do the work typically
have higher pay than occupations
where many people are qualified to do
the work. Employers have to pay more to
get employees in case of a shortage of
qualified people.

Benefits vary similarly to monetary
compensation, though some employers
have better employee benefits
programs than others. Larger businesses
or agencies have printed statements of
policies on benefits, such as personal
leave, health care leave, and retirement
programs.

1. Individuals with more experience
typically receive more benefits, such as
basing the amount of personal leave on
the number of years a person has been
with an employer.
2. Insurance, paid retirement programs, and
other benefits may vary widely from one
employer to another.
 3. Always get information on benefits in
making job decisions. Such information may
be important in making a particular choice.
 4. Self-employed individuals need to plan
their situations so that they have insurance,
retirement, and other benefits that people
often need.

Long-term earning potential is an
important factor in choosing an
occupation and employer.
 1. Entry-level pay and benefits are
important and should be considered
along with the anticipated future
potential.
 2. Experience with one employer may be
very useful in changing jobs later.

Wages and other benefits
received from gainful employment is
called what?
 Name and explain any two factors that
determine the monetary compensation
an employee receives.
