Module 1/Session 1.2a Glossary
Adapted from Workinfonet

Attrition
Refers to the jobs that become available when workers die or retire.
Benefits
These are extra wages or other incentives provided to the employees by the employer.
Contract Work
This is work that is done for a specific period of time and a contract is drawn between the employer and the worker. The contract work does not include benefits.
Demand
An occupation is in demand when less than five vacancies are recorded in a month in that occupation.
Demography
It is the study of population patterns and provides statistics on birth, death, age patterns and diseases in a community.
Downsizing
This is when a company reduces its workforce due to the impact of technological changes, changes in government policies or reduced demand of product and services.
Employment Growth
It refers to creation of new jobs in the economy.
Forecast
This is what is expected in the near future.
Globalization
It refers to international exchange or sharing of labour force, production, ideas, knowledge, products and services across borders.
Labour Force
This is the part of working age population either working or actively seeking work.
Labour Market
It refers to the arena where employers, industries or companies (who need labour) come together with workers (who supply labour).
Labour Market Information
This is information on employment, employment trends, wages, standards and qualifications, job openings, working conditions.
Outsourcing
This is when a company gets part of the work sub-contracted to other companies.
Self-Employment
This is working for oneself, having a small business, being a consultant and marketing skills and services to other companies or organizations.
Standard Jobs
these are jobs that offer full-time, full-year work with a single employer, with benefits, career prospects and seniority.
Trends
These are changes in the labour market due to the direct impact of government policies, social, demographic and global trends on the national and local labour markets.
Under-Employment
This occurs when an individual is overqualified for the work he/she does.
Unemployment (Cyclic, Frictional, Seasonal)
- Cyclical Unemployment: This is when workers loose jobs due to slow down in production or lack of demand of certain goods or services and they are rehired again when the demand is up again for their work.
- Frictional Unemployment: This is when people are unemployed for a short time due to various reasons such as changing jobs and/or the previous job not being fulfilling.
- Seasonal Unemployment: This is unemployment that occurs due to changes in seasons, e.g., agricultural workers lose jobs in winter.
Union
This is an organization that represents and negotiates on behalf of a group of workers.

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