Independent Living Series: Understanding The Workplace

The Independent Living Series was developed to help students prepare for the real-life challenges of working and living on their own. Students step into an unfamiliar environment when they start working. The workplace has its own culture and rules. Understanding the Workplace can be used as a road map to help students successfully negotiate the twists and turns of life as an employee. Making a good first impression is key to future relationships with co-workers and supervisors. Tips on how to learn several different types of jobs gives students an idea of what might be expected of them. Getting your first paycheck can be both exciting and disappointing. This book helps students understand “where the money went.” There are several examples of earnings statements that explain required and optional deductions. Targeted activities show students how you get from “gross pay” to “net pay.” How to be a good employee and get along with co-workers is covered in detail. Students will learn how to break a bad habit, deal with criticism, gain confidence and impress the boss. To do a good job, students will learn how to work successfully with all types of people. Follow-up activities include practical application math and basic comprehension questions to reinforce understanding. Some questions ask students to think about the information given and express their opinions and ideas. The vocabulary section includes a glossary of words and phrases students may not be familiar with plus activities to test understanding of the new words and phrases.