NCERT Class 11 Home Science Work Worker and Workplace

B. WORK, WORKER  AND WORKPLACE

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this section the learner is able to—

• identify the components of work.

• define work, worker and workplace.

• describe the importance of workplace design for better work efficiency.

• explain the interdependence among work, worker and workplace.

10B.1 INTRODUCTION

All of us work for long hours daily – while children study and attend to other essential tasks, parents earn livelihood and manage the home. Although we perform a lot of activities everyday, have you ever thought of the number of ways in which you can perform one activity? Why is it that you perform well in certain activities and not so well in others? Nisha, a skilled   labourer,  is unable to perform well because of her inconsistency in work. Her place of work has a very poor work environment. The place is uncomfortable and the work-stations are also poorly designed .As a result, she has lost interest in her work. She can deliver better results and optimally utilise her resources (skills and knowledge)  i f  the work environment improves. There can also be factors other than work environment that may affect work performance. Let us try to understand these. For optimal performance, it is important to understand work in relation to the environment in which it is performed — the workplace and those who perform it — workers. This understanding helps to reduce the energy used and time spent on the task, thereby increasing work efficiency. At the same time, it will also prevent fatigue and other health problems. It is

therefore necessary to create a healthy work environment for the worker instead of forcing the worker to perform the task in an uncomfortable workplace.

For example, your mother works in the kitchen and has to bend again and again to pick up utensils which may be kept at a distance from the kitchen counter. In this case, she would be using more energy and spending more time to take out the utensils and will also experience fatigue and backache. On the other hand, if the utensils are kept near the counter and at a suitable height she will be able to work more comfortably, thereby, increasing her work efficiency!

The diagram above clearly shows the interdependence between work, worker and workplace. To understand this relationship well, the following three components should be studied in detail.

10B.2 Work

To create a better match between worker, workplace and the equipments or tools used, understanding work is of prime importance. Work is defined as the activity directed towards making or doing something. Work is to exert oneself physically and/or mentally in order to do or complete a task. It forms the basis for accomplishing our goals. It is something that is done or performed, especially a duty, task or an activity. For a student, work primarily means studying to gain knowledge.

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