INFORMATION SHEET 3.

1-1
(LO1 Define the purpose of work)

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, you must be able to execute

correctly the procedure in Define the purpose of work.

I. WHAT ARE WORK VALUES

A. Throughout your life you acquired a set of values — beliefs and ideas that
are important to you.
For example:
➢ You may believe that one should always be honest or that one must always
be a loyal friend.
• You live your life according to this set of
values. In order to have a happy, successful
and fulfilling life, you must act upon your
values, both in your personal life and at
work. Taking your values into account
when you choose a career could be the
most important factor that determines
whether you will or won't be satisfied with
that aspect of your life.

• Clarifying your work values, that subset of values that relate to your
career, is essential. Your work values are both intrinsic, relating to the
actual tasks involved in practicing a particular occupation, and extrinsic,
relating to the by-products of an occupation. An intrinsic value might be
helping others,
For example:
➢ An extrinsic value is earning a lot of money.
B. Types of Workplace Responsibility
• For a workplace to function, both employees and employers must live up to their
responsibilities. While some of these responsibilities are formal and easy to
understand or enforce, others are more difficult to conceive and enact. By
understanding workplace responsibilities and working to meet them in all
areas, a workforce can keep its members safe and productive.
C. Job Responsibility
• Some of an employee's more basic and important responsibilities involve
meeting job expectations and fulfilling daily work duties. As a related
1
 workplace responsibility,
employers must find ways to
communicate what each
worker's job entails. Formal job
descriptions spell out employees'
responsibilities clearly and in
written form for future reference.
Performance evaluations help
leaders ensure that employees are
living up to their work
responsibilities, or provide
discipline or training when they
aren't.
D. Self-Responsibility
• Another type of workplace responsibility is self-responsibility,
which refers to each employee taking responsibility for his own
actions outside of normal job duties. Self-responsibility is
related to accountability, which requires workers to accept
blame for their errors or omissions and acknowledge the
successes and contributions of others. Accountability is
especially important among business leadership to establish a
positive workplace culture. Workers are responsible for dealing
with their colleagues and superiors honestly and with integrity.
E. CLARIFYING YOUR WORK VALUES LEADS TO JOB SATISFACTION
• Examples and Definitions of Work Values

1) Autonomy:
receiving no or
little supervision
2) Helping Others: providing
assistance to individuals or
groups
3) Prestige: having high standing
4) Job Security: a high
probability that one will
remain employed
5) Collaboration: working with others
6) Helping Society: contributing to the betterment of the world
7) Recognition: receiving attention for your work
8) Compensation: receiving adequate pay
9) Achievement: doing work that yields results
10. Utilizing Your Skills and Background: using your
education and work experience to do your job
11. Leadership: supervising/managing other
12. Creativity: using your own ideas
13. Variety: doing different activities 2
14. Challenge: performing tasks that are difficult
15. Leisure: having adequate time away from work
16. Recognition: receiving credit for achievements
17. Artistic Expression: expressing one's artistic talents
18. Influence: having the ability to affect people's opinions and ideas