Topic Summary
Different types of work
Here’s some information on all the different ways a person can make a living:
- Full-time work: this is usually eight hours a day for five days a week, but this type of employment isn’t for everyone. Someone may not be able to work a full week because they are a carer.
- Part-time work: an employee can negotiate their days and hours with their employer to accommodate their needs.
- Self-employed or freelance: someone may work for one or more companies, or for their own business. Although they get a lot more flexibility in how they work, they are responsible for handling their own taxes and are unlikely to get employee benefits.
- Shift workers: some employers operate at ‘unsociable’ times and these organisations will often need shift workers (in healthcare or hospitality, for example). This means a worker’s schedule changes regularly and they can do this work on any of the frameworks above.
Many people boost their income by doing side hustles like event photography or selling second-hand clothes online using Vinted or eBay.
Question
Freelance work is:
Discussion
What are the upsides and downsides for each different type of work?
How it works in real life
Choose two adults you know and find out what they like and dislike about their type of work.