1 - Introduction to Sociology of Work

Question 1

work

Answer 1

paid or non-paid activities related to the production + distribution of goods and services

(market or non-market activities w/ social utility)

Question 2

employment

Answer 2

paid work, it can have different:

• types of employment: employed work for a boss or self employed
• working time regimes: part time, temporary, full time…
• labour protection levels: more vs less formal protection + rights (ex: health care)

Question 3

unemployment

Answer 3

a person aged 15 or over:

• without a job during a given week
• available to start within the next two weeks
• having sought employment at some time during the last four weeks

Question 4

decent work according to ILO

Answer 4

opportunities for work that are productive + deliver:

• a fair income
• security in the workplace + social protection for families
• better prospects for personal development + social integration
• freedom for people to express their concerns
• freedom to organize + participate in the decisions affecting their lives
• equal opportunity and treatment for all women and men

Question 5

dimensions of dignity

Answer 5

in work (intrinsic/subjective)

• autonomy
• job satisfaction
• meaningful work

at work (extrinsic/objective)

• wellbeing
• security
• equal opportunity

Question 6

mission of International Labour Organization (ILO)

Answer 6

devoted to promoting:

• social justice
• internationally recognized human + labour rights

Question 7

UN’s SDG 8

Answer 7

goals to promote:
1. inclusive and sustainable economic growth
2. employment
3.decent work
for all

Question 8

basic income

Answer 8

each citizen would receive money to cover basic living expenses
- give everyone access to same opportunities

• basic income is needed to provide the stability that employment once provided

“poverty is the cause, not the effect of poor choices”

Question 9

phenomenon of bullshit jobs

Answer 9

created as a result of technology being used to make us work more rather than facilitating our jobs

• jobs that are not ‘meaningful’ - do not bring a sense of purpose to the workers (bankers, managers…)

Question 10

deep learning

Answer 10

“jobs are for machines” - 4th industrial revolution
- raises discussion for the need of basic income

“we’ve gone from linear to parabolic”
- an AI named AlphaGo defeated Go champion