This Web Log is for prospective employees, highlighting the personal attributes valued by employers in all types of business.
A Questionnaire was created to ask employyes as to the expectations that the company has on them to understand different working practices and their job roles. The questions would involve both open and closed questions for them to fill out (which would either be a tick box or paragraph to write in). These will be questions asking their personal details within the company, queries about their personal attributes:
- Self motivation
- Leadership qualities
- Respect
- Dependability
- Punctuality
- Problem solving
- Determination
- Independent workers
- Time management
- Team working
- Written numerical and verbal skills
- Planning and organisational skills
Lastly these questions would also be about good working practices and ethics within the company. This would cover health & safety procedures, following legislation and adhering to certain company measures.
Personal Details & Attributes:
In this questionnaire, we first asked the employees about their Personal Details and respective attributes that feel is most valued within the company. To get an idea of what type of employee is filling out the questionnaire we asked them to fill out simple information such as their Name, Age, Gender, Job Title and Company Name. I believe that it was right to ask them to fill this sort of information out so that when I came to analyse my results I would be able to compare different levels of staff, ages and genre to see if there was any trend that could be justified within the company in terms of their employees feelings towards what their employer expects of them. I will also ask what they think their key quality is in the job that they do. They can be chosen from the list of personal attributes shown above.
What came of my results was that there was a spars collection of data retrieved. For example there where equal genders, different age groups and levels within the company that I gave my questionnaire to. Because of these different job roles, it wasn't suprising to see the wide selection of choices that they answered when responding to 'In your job, what do you believe is your key quality?'.
After them stating their quality, I then asked that do they think their key quality is nourished/praised by their respective employeer (and just in case they only write 'Yes' or 'No', I asked them to explain further. The results that came from this where unsurprisingly positive feedback, showing that they were aware that their employer acknowledges and gives their
Another question that I also asked them was 'Do you believe that your employer values the qualities of you and your co-workers? If no, please explain'. I asked this because I wanted to get an idea of how the employees feel that their employers value the qualities that they pertain. The feedback I got from those was generally positive, showing that the relation between employers and employees regarding the value of their qualities.
Data Protection:
In this section, I questionned employers about Data Protection and handling within the company. This included questions about:
- Data Protection Act and the principles.
- Data Handling by the employee.
- How the employer expects the employee to gather, handle and distribute information within the company.
- Codes of Practice regarding the handling of data.
The questions I asked in this section are:
- Are you aware of the Data Protection Act, it's principles and how you should be implementing this understanding within the workplace?
- Does your employer expect you to handle data within a reasonable matter?
- Within the company, does your employer expect you to distribute data effectively and efficiently within the company?
- Does your employer make you aware of any Codes of Practice within the company regarding the handling of data that you recieve?
Feedback regarding this questionnaire is that the employees have a good understanding of this, probably throught some sort of in-house training by the company. The answers gave implied knowledge of the principles of the Data Protection Act and agree that they keep within these rules.
Does your employer expect you to handle data within a reasonable matter?
Within the company, does your employer expect you to distribute data effectively and efficiently within the company?
Does your employer make you aware of any Codes of Practice within the company regarding the handling of data that you recieve?
Health & Safety:
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The following section is to be removed from the blog.
Responsibilites that employees should have in the workplace is to maintain safe and healthy working environment for all other co-workers. Not only this but the employee has the responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health & safety.
Other responsibilities that the employee has to take is to co-operate with their employer, to make sure that you have the proper training before undergoing certain tasks and are aware of the companies' health & safety policies. Another responsibility is to tell their respective employer anything that may affect their ability to work (becoming pregnant, sustaining an injury, ect.). This is because your employer has a legal responsibility regarding your health & safety.*
*This may result in you being suspended for a while until a solution is found, but you would be on paid leave for this.
There is alot of legislation for company environments that regard different areas. Legislation that may affect the workplace environment and them as individuals are:
- Health & Safety:
Office, Shops and Railways Act 1963
- Equality:
Sex Discrimination Act 1975
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
- Employee Protection:
Employement Relations Act 2004
All organisations have to adhere to the legal legislations. The company also has to be aware of new legislation and make sure that it is implemented into the organisation.
Health & Safety:
The aims of these legislation is to raise the standards of everyone within the work environment. This also aims to protect the public who may be at risk by activities of people in the workplace.
Equality:
The Equal Pay Act 1970 was brought in to ensure that both men and women recieve similar pay when working. This piece of legislation is regulated by the Equal Oppurtunities Commission who find people who are still not abiding to this Act.
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 was brought in to ensure that men or women weren't discriminated in the workplace. This includes recruitment, treatment at work and dismissal.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 was brought in to ensure that people suffering both physical and mental disabilities weren't discriminated in the workplace. This also covers discrimination regarding potential employees because of their disability.
Employee Protection:
The Employment Act 2002 gives additional rigthts to employees, such as maternity & paternity leave, termination of working, sunday working and written payslips.
The Employment Relations Act 2004 gives legislation about trade unions, unfair dismissal and grievance & disciplinary hearings.
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In the workplace, various roles have different responsibilities and attributes needed by the employeer. Here, 4 different IT Job Descriptions will be analysed to show what unique skills, qualifications and requirements are needed to work in that area:
Software Engineer:
Typical Responsibilites:
A software engineer would also have to handle deadlines set by their clients, so extra hours might be required.
Qualifications:
Normally a degree in Computing/Computer Science with additional experience in Computer Programming is essential, although a lot of Programming Skills will be learned on-the-job.
Key Skills:
Database Administrator:
Typical Responsibilites:
A Database Administrator is responsible for the maintainance, performace and security of a database. This will also include updating existing databases and building systems for new information.
They will have to iron out bugs in the system by building a test system. Finally they will fill the database with existing information and sorting out storage, back-up and ensuring the database has adaquate storage.
Qualifications:
Normally a degree is needed, otherwise apprenticeship courses in database assistants is another ladder to becoming a Database Administrator. There are also other courses that offer valued qualifications in:
Key Skills:
Network Analyst:
Typical Responsibilities:
Network Analysts have to work closely with Computer Programmers, Designers and Managers to ensure that the computer systems - usually for large businesses - are tailor-made and efficient for that specific company. This job is both business and IT centered as they will have to identify the particular problem areas and then suggesting computer based solutions.
Network Analysts normally work for big retail companies, government departments and financial institutes.
Qualifications:
- Relevant Degree (an optional specific post-graduate degree is also helpful.)
- High experience with programming languages such as:
- SQL
- Visual Basic
- C++
- Java
- Unified Modelling Language
- SAP
Key skills that are required to be a Network Analyst are the ability to explain technical information to non-technical people, excellent negotiation skills and communication skills. Other skills that may be needed are:
Software Tester:
Typical Responsibilities:
Software testers normally have to rigorously test and try to 'break' the new product to help in the design process and developement of the product. They will work closely with Software designers and Programme managers to understand about the software you will be testing, it's key features and the people who will be using.
The software resters would then be running functional tests, stress testing and performance testing for the ultimate goal of ironing out any bugs and improve the quality of the finished product.
Qualifications:
- Experience in a software development background or relevent degree.
- Technical knowledge of many programming languages and platforms.
- Good understanding of the software testing lifecycle.
Sources:
http://www.mylawyer.co.uk/employees-responsibilities-a-A76056D76220/
http://www.slideshare.net/MrMcGowan74/legislation-in-the-workplace#btnNext
http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/279039-software-engineer-job-description
http://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/job-profile/it-jobs/database-administrator-job-description
http://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/job-profile/it-jobs/network-analyst-job-description
http://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/job-profile/it-jobs/software-tester-job-description
