The 18 types of work (and their characteristics)

The human being in his daily life is immersed in activities that need to be carried out for his well-being.

Such as making the bed when getting up, brushing teeth, preparing food, changing a flat tire, among other things, which are absolutely necessary for his comfort. But they also carry out actions that provide them with an economic benefit that guarantees their subsistence, in this case we are talking about paid work.

Man attending to his survival instinct and perpetuating himself in a world as hostile as millions of years ago, he had to use his intelligence and potential to provide his family with food, clothing and a safe place to to live. He made utensils, tools and weapons to defend and protect his family environment.

Over time this development of skills was beneficial for society, so that people continue to do them, but now with a greater meaning. It is because of that In this article we will talk about the different types of work that exist in the world and their characteristics.

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How does the work come about?

The word work is derived from the Latin ‘tripaliāre’ and this from the original ‘tripalĭum’, which refers to a kind of yoke, belt or strap that It was used to whip, discipline, punish or simply beat slaves in the ancient Roman Empire, it was a slave-slave relationship.

Although there were also artisan workers who sold their creations in exchange for money to survive and were not subjected to punishment. Later other positions arose that were of equal importance, where people could work without being slaves. Like the bakery, pastries, textiles, footwear, among others.

Over time, the people in these jobs no longer had their tools and had to start other activities in exchange for a salary. After the end of the Second World War, the world was transformed thanks to the technology that changed the economic relations between companies-employees and countries-societies. With the advent of the internet, the world of work changed completely.

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Establishment of working hours

Today, the working day in most countries is generally eight hours a day, but this was not always the case. About a hundred years ago, women, men, children and the elderly, worked uninterruptedly 12 hours every day, without any time for rest, much less to have a time destined for entertainment or to study and aspire to a better position professional. Workers tired of being exploited began to fight to reduce working hours.

During this time, there were several bloody clashes between the police and the workers and after several days of challenges and confrontations, it was established that the working day was eight hours a day. As a tribute to this struggle, it was established that every May 1 is celebrated the International Worker's Day.

Types of jobs that exist

There are different types of jobs that will depend on the activity or task that is carried out and the capacity of the person or the level of preparation they have.

1. Handwork

It is that type of work that is done with the hands, it is the oldest type of work there is since before the industrial revolution it was the only work that was known. Here we can include bricklayers, mechanics, painters, craftsmen and sculptors.

2. Intellectual work

They are activities that are carried out to find solutions to a certain problem, this type of work is personal, that is, it depends on the person. It is based on the cognitive skills that each one has and depends on mental curiosity, motivation, organization, self-discipline, honesty, perseverance and initiative.

Entrepreneurs, architects, engineers, professors and even the presidents of nations are found in this type of work.

3. Independent and / or autonomous work

It refers to that work where the person performs an activity on their own, does not depend on a boss, the work tools are his property, he does not have a set schedule and is directly focused on the public. Included in this category are entrepreneurs, seamstresses, website designers, independent accountants, among others.

4. Temporary or temporary work

It can be a physical or intellectual work, it is characterized by being a contract with a specific term, without being necessary its inclusion in the company's payroll. It becomes evident in those cases where the company needs to fill a job in special circumstances.

5. Artesanal job

This category groups those activities that have to do with the creativity, imagination and ingenuity of the person. It is normally done without the aid of machinery, each piece, product or object is different from the others.

6. Dependent work

Dependent workers are those people who provide their service to another person either natural or legal, under the figure of the employment contract, there is a subordination and the payment of a salary.

7. Skilled work

It is the type of work that requires the worker to be fully suitable to fill the position that is being offered. The person must be endorsed by an educational institution that accredits or certifies that if she is qualified for this purpose.

Examples of this type of work are: Professors, doctors, lawyers, scientists, psychologists, among others.

8. Unskilled work

It is that job that does not require a staff with an academic training, in some cases they usually require experiences or some specific skill or dexterity, although many times this is not limiting.

Salespeople in stores, drivers, hairdressers, masseurs, are some examples of this type of work.

9. Informal work

They are those activities that are carried out outside of the legal provisions on labor matters, they do not have a economic remuneration established by law, they do not have any social protection or stability economical.

This category includes street vendors, domestic workers and windshield wipers.

10. Formal job

They are those jobs that are guaranteed by the state and / or private company, it is formalized through a contract established between the worker and the employer. The worker enjoys all the benefits protected by the law in labor matters and in turn agrees to cancel the payment of taxes and social security.

11. Underemployment

It is a phenomenon that occurs in the labor market, in which a person works fewer hours or performs a activity that is below their capacity and professional level, receiving a very high salary lower.

This happens very frequently in companies in which a person with a degree of academic preparation, holds a lower position but in the medium or long term can assume a better position.

12. Sinecure

They are those jobs where a person holds a position that is highly remunerated economically but without any type of activity or very little is done. This type of work is generally carried out by deputies, politicians, reality television stars, among others.

13. Registered or blank job

It is that job where the worker enjoys all the benefits established by the State. By guaranteeing health insurance to him and his family, the worker also has vacations, Christmas bonuses and retirement.

The person receives a salary that he guarantees a good lifestyle and access to credits and financial benefits.

14. Unregistered or black job

It refers to a job without a contract or any type of labor benefits, the employer does not allocate part of the workers' salary to cancel what is established in the law. This results in the fact that at the time of dismissal the worker does not have compensation or retirement.

15. Intermittent work

This is a new type of contract where the worker is available to the employer when he needs his services, at that time he has to make the payment established in the contract. If the worker does not show up at the established time, she will not receive any payment.

16. Night work

It is that job that has a working day at night, the schedule is established according to the laws of each country. In general, the schedule is from ten at night to six in the morning the next day, the worker receives financial compensation that is established in the hiring.

17. High risk work

They are those jobs in which the environmental conditions make the tasks to be carried out considered highly dangerous and difficult. They can be performed in confined environments, high-rise spaces, exposure to chemicals, radiation, and high noise concentrations.

It requires constant supervision from other colleagues, they have to be trained personnel for such activity and special permits are needed for its execution.

18. Teamwork

It is a job in which several people perform a specific task but focused on the same end or purpose. It is done in an organized manner with the purpose of achieving a common goal. People with different specialties or knowledge can work together.

Through work, man has conquered different spaces, as well as the respect and consideration of other people, which he has allowed to increase his self-esteem, his professional capacity and the realization of himself as a person, in addition to the contribution he makes to the society.