This is Keira. She has just graduated from university and is now applying for work to various companies. Unfortunately, Keira has never received any training or information on what to know and do for work. If you feel the same experience, here are some informations you need to know before applying a job.

At work, there is a relationship between employer and employee. This relationship is called an employment relationship, a legal relationship that occurs when a person does the work and benefits for what she/he does.

Positions that exist in an employment relationship are:

• Employer: those who employ and is responsible for paying salaries and social security
• Own-account worker or self-employed worker: those whose work is not tied to a particular company or institution. Self-employed workers fulfill their livelihood through business, contract, or freelance activity.
• Contributing family workers: those who work for a family economic activities. Sometimes, they do not get paid.
• Full-time workers: those with paid jobs and full-time jobs, usually work for 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week.
• Part-time workers: those who work fewer hours than full-time workers. Part-time workers have the same rights as full-time workers, which include: join organization, occupational health and safety, be spared from discrimination, social security, be spared from unilateral termination, and work leave.
• Apprentices, trainees, or interns: those who usually work to gain knowledge and acquire skills. The rights and responsibilities of an apprentice will be different from a worker because the scope of their work is more limited.

Now, Keira has decided to become a worker in a company. When you are accepted, you will receive a contract of employment to be mutually agreed upon. Learn your contract well.

The following are the things that should be considered in a contract:

1. Employer's name and address
2. Employee's name
3. Employee’s job title and job description
4. Place of work
5. Salaries
6. Hours of work
7. Starting and completion date of the contract
8. Holiday
9. Provisions on warnings and dismissals
10. Other specific provisions that may be required such as overtime and social security

You have the right to ask questions when given a job contract, for example question around probation, termination, contract extension, salary time, reasons to get fired, or about contract changes.

Once the contract is mutually agreed upon, you are officially a worker. As a worker, you are entitled to join a workers’ union in addition to the various rights ruled by Labour Laws. Workers' union can help you negotiate issues regarding your right to work.

Now you and Keira are better prepared to work. There are still many employment issues that you should learn like social security, working conditions, and occupational health and safety. But don’t worry! You will learn it on the next video!

Let’s be aware of our rights at work!