Workplace Observation Form

Course: Management – Class: 46K23.1, 46K26

Class:

Team members:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Overview and Purpose:

 You – the learner – will conduct workplace observations on your own or with your team
members, at a workplace. Workplace observations are usually for a period of less than a
day, and probably only one hour or so in length.
 These observations give you the opportunity to look and see conditions and activities in a
workplace.
 You can conduct observations at more than one workplace. These can be done on one day,
or over a period of time.
 Observations can be done informally in a public space such as a café, bank, restaurant,
hospital waiting room, or retail store. You can conduct an observation from the side of a
building construction site, inside a busy hotel or at a tourist location. Anywhere where
working conditions and activities of employees can be observed is suitable. These locations
should not require that you ask for permission.
 You can also conduct an observation after acquiring formal permission through a process
similar to that of arranging an informational interview. This approach will be needed at
places that require access into a workplace, where you can stand out of the way in a space
that does not require safety clothing. Examples of these situations include a car repair
workshop, panel beating workshop, or inside a restaurant kitchen.
 The aim is to see different activities and conditions, and then to request greater access to
the workplace that you find the most interesting. You could ask to come back for an
informational interview, job shadowing or for work experience.
A note to instructors: If you have tasked your class with observing a number of workplaces over
a time period, you should continually debrief the learnings in the classroom.
Instructions:
 If you are observing in a public space, you can sit or stand quietly out of the way and take
notes about what you see. If you need to move in or through a busy place, do so while
observing, and then find a quiet place after to write your notes.
 If you have requested permission to enter a non-public space to observe, stay out of the
workers way. However, if someone asks you why you are there or engages you in
conversation, explain and ask as many questions as the situation allows (see Learner
Handout 3: Informational Interview Form).
 Dress appropriately.
 Write a thank you letter or email afterwards.

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Learner Handout: Work Exposure: Form for Workplace Observation

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Learner Handout: Work Exposure: Form for Workplace Observation

Learner Workplace Observation

Your Name:
Date/Duration of Observation :
Name of Company Observed:
Type of Industry:
(e.g.: Manufacturing, Hospitality, IT, Service)
What the Company Does:
What services do they offer, what do they make, what
do they do?
Department Observed:
What services do they offer, what do they make, what
do they do?
Tasks Observed:
What tasks/work do you see taking place?
Skills Observed:
What skills do you see being used?
Working Hours:
What are start and finish times?
What are tea and lunch break times?
Customers:
Who are the main customers?
Main Relevant Jobs Observed (1):
List a job you observed.
Briefly, what does this job involve?
Main Relevant Jobs Observed (2):
List a job you observed.
Briefly, what does this job involve?
Main Relevant Jobs Observed (3):
List a job you observed.
Briefly, what does this job involve?
Main Equipment Observed:
List and explain some of the main equipment you saw?
Workplace Safety (1):
Did you see any health and safety signs?
Describe and draw them on the back of this form.
Workplace Safety (2):
Did you see any safety clothing? Describe it.
Dress Code: What do you notice about how the
workers are dressed?
Workplace Energy: Does this look like a fun or
interesting place to work? Why/why not?
Customer Service (1): What did you notice about their
customer service?
Customer Service (2): Did you observe any good or bad
interactions with customers?
Communication Between Supervisor and Workers
Is communication verbal or written?
Do supervisors explain or just give instructions?
Employee Interaction
Can you observe how employees interact with each
other? Describe what you see.
Employee Satisfaction:
Do the employees look happy, like they are enjoying
their job? Explain why you think this.

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Learner Handout: Work Exposure: Form for Workplace Observation

IMPORTANT:
What management functions do you think that
employees may carry out during their work?
List and explain
Questions Asked (1):
Did you have a chance to talk to anyone at the
workplace?
What questions did you ask?
What did they answer?
Possible Work Experience Opportunities:
Do you think there might be work experience
opportunities here? Why?

REFLECTION
1. List 3 things you learned from your observation

2. List 2 things you can appy right now to improve your working skills

3. List 1 question you still have after the observation

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