H2.7-2.8 Horse Care H2.7c Work Requirements This presentation has been produced by Ausintec Academy (Study Horses .com) for purpose of Educational Training. It is not for sale and may not be used or reproduced without prior written permission from the Director of Ausintec Academy

Work Requirements Overview Rights and Responsibilities of Employees Rights and Responsibilities of Employers Inductions Behaviour Around Horses Behaviour Around Horses Video Dressing for Work with Horses Business Information Tutorial Summary References This workbook covers further aspects of what can be required of employees in the workplace and horse environment. Horse related businesses can range in size from employing a mere handful of people to larger enterprises which will employ larger numbers of people with different professional specialities related to horses.

Rights and Responsibilities of Employees Within the workplace employees have rights which are what you are entitled to receive in your employment. Employee rights are law and are contained in legislation which relates to employment such as:- leave entitlements anti-discrimination workers’ compensation superannuation occupational health and safety   Employee rights include (in Australia):- Two months paid long service leave after ten years of employment (with the same employer) Parental leave Four weeks holidays each year To work in a workplace which is free of harassment To work in a workplace which is free of discrimination To be able to choose whether to join a union Five days (minimum) sick leave a year To work in a safe and healthy workplace To not be dismissed (sacked/fired) without good cause Some of these rights will depend on your employment status that is, whether you are employed full-time, part-time, temporary or casually. Employees responsibilities are their obligations to the employer and include:- Attending work on the days and at the times required by your employment Being punctual Following and complying with reasonable and lawful instructions of the employer Observing a duty of care Performing work with due care and competence Respecting employer’s interests (i.e., not disclosing business information onto competitors) Keeping private information which the employer considers confidential Being accountable for money and property received whilst employed

Rights and Responsibilities of Employers Employers also have rights within the workplace:- The right of ownership over products or processes that may have been created (or invented) by employees on work time whilst employed To dismiss employees who are negligent, careless, commits acts of disloyalty or criminal offence or causes an accident That reasonable and lawful instructions given are followed by employees That employees will follow a duty of care   Employers responsibilities include:- PAYE (Pay As You Earn) tax instalments are forwarded to the taxation office (Australia) References that are provided do not give false or misleading information to pay wages in line with laws and award rates Ensure a safe, suitable workplace Ensure a discrimination free workplace Ensure a harassment free workplace Act in a manner which conveys trust and confidence Act in a way which will not damage employee reputations or cause distress

Inductions An induction is a session on the guidelines, requirements and responsibilities (policies, procedures etc) that new employees are required to attend. Inductions can be in the form of handouts, videos and verbal instructions, they usually provide the new employee with information regarding:- business history and the goals, objectives, aspirations or mission statements of the company rules and regulations for personnel/employees important members of the business important members of the area the new employee will be working in how the area the new employee will work in contributes to the business’ mission statement, goals or objectives   Some inductions may offer orientation guidelines to new employees. If this is the case it can be helpful to keep this information for later reference or revision. An induction is a perfect time to ask questions in relation to your role and the duties you will perform. In some situations you may be paired up with a person who is already employed by the business and has a good knowledge of the workplace to help introduce you to your duties.

Behaviour Around Horses Horses are prey animals, this means that if they interpret something as a threat they will take to flight (running away). How you behave around horses can influence how they react to you. Even a horse which has known you for a long period of time can decide you pose a threat if your behaviour or appearance changes. For example say you normally enter the paddock carrying two small white buckets but one occasion you enter carrying a large black feed bin, because you have ‘changed’ the normally approachable horse may become a wild fleeing horse. It is better to maintain a quiet and calm manner around horses than to be loud, hurried and complacent. A complacent person puts themselves at risk of injury. However you should remain quietly alert around horses to notice any changes in behaviour. Even if you can’t see a horse you will still be able to hear it. Because horses cannot see directly behind them they can get a fright and even kick if you suddenly appear in their field of vision (this is further explained in the ‘Senses’ chapter of this workbook). When you need to walk behind a horse you have two options. Start at the horse’s shoulder, staying close with one hand on the horse walk around the hindquarters all the time running your hand along and around the horse’s body. By keeping your hand on the horse you let it know where you are. Start the horse’s shoulder and walk in a wide arch around the hindquarters and move back in towards the horse when you approach the shoulder. This method removes you from the range of being kicked.   When moving around horses in a paddock situation it is best to give them a wide berth and when catching and handling horses always use the appropriate equipment for doing so.

Behaviour Around Horses Video

Dressing for Work with Horses When working around horses you will require practical clothing which will protect you from the environment and from injury. You can still dress for the weather especially if it is hot but be sensible, swimwear and thongs/flip-flops are not going to give you much protection from the sun or from being stood on. Casual wear is suitable i.e. a shirt with sleeves, short and enclosed footwear is suitable if you’re not planning to ride. However remember that work with horses can be grubby so don’t wear your best casual outfits. Jewellery is also a hazard because it can become caught in gear. If long hair is tied back it will be out of your eyes and out of the way (a hat or cap can also assist in keeping long hair back). When riding long pants will prevent your legs from chaffing against the stirrup leathers and saddle, they will also protect your legs from vegetation if you’re out on a trail ride. The long pants you wear should be loose enough that you can bend your knee and come down to your ankle. A shirt with sleeves provides sun protection. Head injuries are at the top of the list of horse related accidents so wear a helmet. It should be to the approved standard for your country. Your helmet should fit snugly onto your head without being so tight that it produces a headache. If you nod your head up and down the helmet shouldn’t fall over your eyes, if it does its too big. Helmets should be within 5 years old of the date of manufacture. You should be able to find this date on the helmet tag. Helmets older than 5 years start to deteriorate and may not protect your head. Boots with a small heel are suitable for riding. The heel will help to prevent your foot sliding too far into the stirrup. There should also be little to no tread on the sole of the boot, riding boots will have a very smooth sole this allows the rider to remove the foot from the stirrup easily. Boots with tread will grip to the stirrup which is dangerous should an event arise when you want to get your foot out in a hurry. Boots with laces are also a hazard as they can become tangled around the stirrup.

Business Information The specific goals or objectives a business had will affect the manner in which business is conducted, the treatment of clients and employees and how the business is perceived by outsiders (i.e., the community). Business standards and values can often be found in business plans, mission/vision statements, guidelines, policies and procedures. As a new (or even existing) employee it is important that you are somewhat familiar with your employments standards and values to help assist you in performing your work satisfactorily. Company handbooks and manuals are useful for investigating the basic requirements of your role and will also give information about the purpose of the whole business. These resources may be directly available and accessible to you or you may need to ask a supervisor (i.e., human resource staff, managers etc) for their locality.

After the Video Tutorial View the Power Point Presentation and see if you can discuss each slide View the Video Tutorial again, if necessary Read the Workbook Do the Homework/Extension Lesson Complete the Online Quizzes Complete the Practical Assessments Join Phone Tutorials if available Listen to Phone Tutorial Recordings

References Publication:- Author:- Websites:- Work effectively in a business environment Stephen Harvey Websites:- http://www.workplacerights.qld.gov.au/workers/rights/index.htm http://www.workplacerights.qld.gov.au/employers/rights/index.htm