Segment one material: Thought of work by John Budd
This article has completely changed my thoughts on employment relations. Initially, I saw work as a punishment. However, in the chapter on the concepts of work, I learn that that was the wrong concept to have. Work is so much more than that. It is a way of life, gaining personal fulfillment through the use of talent and a way of displaying our unique skills. The most crucial thing in this reading is how work has existed since the beginning of time, but its meaning has slowly been distorted over the years, making it look like a duty instead of a way of life. Friends and family members are not familiar with the importance of work, as highlighted in this reading. Most of them see work as a way of making money, yet it is more important than that. It is the way we display our skills and talent. Our work also brings out our personalities and enables us to attain self-fulfillment. Employment relations should ensure that employees are satisfied and happy with their jobs to enhance their productivity. However, I’m afraid I have to disagree with the writer that the work concept has changed over the years. This is because people used to hunt and farm to get food. It is the same today. We work to pay bills and buy groceries, and I think the concept of work remains almost the same. I will apply the knowledge of using work for self-fulfillment to help me enjoy my job more in my workplace.
Segment two material: Understanding the present and future of work in the fissured workplace context
This reading material helped me to see how different the workplace should be in an ideal situation. Unfortunately, things are not as good as they ought to be. I used to think that the labor pricing policies are fair until I read this article. The essential thing highlighted in this reading is how employees are losing the fissured workplace. Friends and family members should understand their workplace rights and strive to fight for them to help solve the fissured workplace problem. Employee relations should know that better payment of wages will benefit them as well because it will increase employees’ productivity. However, I disagree with the writer when he states that the fissured workplace can be fixed by just taking several steps. This is because the labor system is involved with many interrelated factors in play. Many stakeholders have played a part in creating a fissured workplace, which is not easy to fix. I will use the things I have learned from this reading material to bargain for better working terms in my workplace. I am now aware that what has been going on in the workplace regarding low wages is not fair. It is the right of employees to receive fair wages and be provided with a conducive working environment.