Workplace Wisdom Slides Career Readiness
WORKPLACE
WISDOM
"The best way to protect your career is to understand how it works."
Rights
Ethics
Advocacy
The Big Questions
1
What happens if I get sick or injured and can't work for a month?
2
How do I handle something that feels "wrong" at work?
3
When and how do I ask for a raise without sounding demanding?
4
The interview is over... now what? Is the silence normal?
Today, you'll find the answers in your Career Survival Handbook.
Short-Term
Disability
It’s not just for accidents. It’s a safety net for your paycheck when life happens.
Key Definition:
Income protection that pays a percentage of your salary if you are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury.
The "Elimination Period"
The waiting period (usually 7-14 days) before benefits start.
The Payoff
Typically covers 60-80% of your gross weekly income.
The Duration
Usually lasts between 3 to 6 months depending on the plan.
Speaking Up: Ethics & Advocacy
When to act?
Safety hazards or violations
Harassment or discrimination
Unfair treatment/Broken promises
The "Chain of Command"
1 Your Direct Manager
2 HR Representative
3 Ethics Hotline / Legal
Pro-tip: Always keep written records (emails, logs).
The Wage
Negotiation
You don't get what you deserve; you get what you negotiate.
Research
Know the market value for your role in your city.
Proof
List your "wins" and how you've saved/made money.
Timing
Annual reviews or after a major project win.
The Post-Interview Finish
Closing the deal with professionalism.
The 24-Hour Rule
Send a thank-you email to every person you spoke with within 24 hours.
The Content
Thank them, mention a specific topic you discussed, and reiterate why you're a great fit.
Wait Time Wisdom
Follow up after 7-10 days if silent.
Keep applying elsewhere—don't stop.
Silence isn't always a "No"—HR is busy!
MISSION: SURVIVAL
Read your Career Survival Handbook carefully.
Complete the HR Hotseat Worksheet challenges.
Generate 5 "Power Questions" for an HR Representative.
35 Minutes
Work Style Independent or Pairs
Career Survival Handbook Career Survival Handbook
A Guide to Workplace Rights, Ethics, & Advocacy
Employee Resource v1.0
Part 1
Disability
Part 2
Workplace Ethics
Part 3
Wage Advocacy
Part 4
Post-Interview
1. Short-Term Disability (STD)
Imagine you break your leg skiing, or you need surgery that requires a month of recovery. You can't work, but your bills don't stop. That's where Short-Term Disability comes in.
How it works:
The Paycheck: It typically pays 60% to 80% of your regular salary.Eligibility: Most plans cover illness, injury, or pregnancy.Duration: Usually lasts between 9 and 26 weeks.
The "Elimination Period"
This is the most misunderstood part of disability insurance. It is a mandatory waiting period before you can start receiving checks.
Injury
0-7 Days
Illness
7-14 Days
Note: You usually have to use your sick days or PTO during this time.
2. Raising a Concern
The Professional Escalation
Handling a workplace issue requires ethics and strategy . Don't just complain to coworkers; take actionable steps to solve the problem.
01
Direct Resolution
If safe and appropriate, talk to the person involved. Use "I" statements: "I felt uncomfortable when..."
02
Direct Manager
Bring the issue to your boss. Come with facts and dates, not just feelings.
03
Human Resources (HR)
If your manager is the problem or the issue is serious (harassment/legal), go to HR.
Ethics Check: "The Paper Trail"
Regardless of the issue, you must document everything. This protects you and gives HR the evidence they need to act.
What to Document:
Specific dates and times of incidents.Names of anyone who witnessed the event.Exact quotes if possible.Save copies of emails or messages (send them to a personal email if allowed).
3. Advocating for Higher Wages
When to Ask?
During your annual performance review.
HR Hotseat Worksheet HR Hotseat Worksheet
Employee Name
Date
1 Survival Scenarios
Scenario A: The Surgery
Alex works at a tech firm earning $4,000/month. They need surgery and will be out for 6 weeks. Their company offers Short-Term Disability (STD) at 70% with a 7-day elimination period. Alex has no sick days left.
1. How much will Alex's weekly disability check be (roughly)?
2. What happens to Alex's pay during the first 7 days of their recovery?
Scenario B: The Ethics Breach
Maya notices her supervisor is asking her to "adjust" some numbers on a safety report to make the warehouse look safer than it is. Maya is worried about safety, but also her job.
What is the very first step Maya should take? What should she "document"?
2 The Advocacy Lab
Challenge: The Wage Pitch
Draft a 3-sentence "script" you would use to start a conversation with your boss about a raise. Remember: Research, Proof, and Timing!
Challenge: The Post-Interview Polish
You just interviewed for your dream job. Write the body of a thank-you email that includes a "highlight" from the conversation.
The HR Question Bank
During an interview or your first week on the job, you have the right to ask HR questions. Based on your reading, what 5 "Power Questions" would you ask an HR representative?
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Self-Reflection:
Why is it important for an employee to ask these types of questions before signing a contract or starting a new role?
Workplace Wisdom Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson: Workplace Wisdom
Session Goals
Define Short-Term Disability.
Understand reporting ethics.
Practice wage advocacy.
Master post-interview follow-up.
Materials Needed
• Workplace Wisdom Slides
• Career Survival Handbook (1/student)
• HR Hotseat Worksheet (1/student)
Pacing (45-50 Minutes)
05 min
Opening & Slides 1-2
Introduce the "Big Questions." Hook students by asking if they know what happens to their pay if they get a serious flu for 2 weeks.
10 min
Mini-Lecture (Slides 3-6)
Briefly walk through the key concepts: Disability, Ethics, Wages, and Interviews. Keep this fast-paced; they will read details in the Handbook.
30 min
Independent/Small Group Work
Students use the Career Survival Handbook to complete the HR Hotseat Worksheet . Encourage pairs to "role-play" the wage negotiation script before writing it.
05 min
Wrap-up & Exit Ticket
Have 2-3 students share one "Power Question" they came up with for HR.
Worksheet Key & Discussion Tips
Scenario A: Alex's Surgery
Check: Alex earns $4000. 70% is $2800. Weekly that's about $700.Point: The first 7 days (Elimination Period) are unpaid by STD. Alex will likely receive $0 that week unless they have PTO. This highlights the need for an emergency fund.
Scenario B: Ethics
Check: Maya should document the request immediately. 1st step: Try to clarify if she misunderstood. If not, she needs to report to her manager's boss or HR.
Common Student Questions:
"What if my job doesn't offer disability?"
Explain that it's often a benefit at full-time jobs, but part-time/gig workers may need to buy it independently or rely on state programs.
"Isn't it rude to ask for more money?"
Reiterate that it is a business transaction. If the company is getting more value, they should pay more for it.
"What if I send a thank-you and they still don't hire me?"
That's okay! It leaves a professional impression. They might call you for a different role later because you were so polite.
Example "Power Questions" for HR
1. "What does the typical career path for this role look like in 2-3 years?"
2. "How does the company handle professional development or training?"
