Assignments and worker safety
We are committed to a motivating and rewarding work environment in collaborate on achieving it by setting goals with students, and the students are given reviews of their work at the end of the summer.
The projects
The School of Work is an open-air school, and most of the school's assignments involve maintaining greenery and garden beds on both city land and institutional grounds in Reykjavík.
The main tools used for the work are various small hand tools for garden bed care, shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows.
We at the School of Work want to mention that we will continue increasing the diversity of jobs for 9th and 10th grade students. A part of the students who are interested in working on activities other than gardening and maintenance in the School's traditional group setting will be offered other jobs, including helping at preschools, in museums, and at other City workplaces.
It is not clear how many jobs will be available, or what the demand will be, but the time of enrollment will determine who will be chosen for these projects.
Objective
The goals of the founding of the School of Work in 1951 were to ensure that adolescents in Reykjavík had jobs during the summer to mature and instill in them general virtues such as orderliness, punctuality, and a sense of responsibility.
These goals have changed little over the years.
Safety issues, risk assessments and worker safety
The regulation governing the work of young people under the age of 18 requires emphasizing safety and that the mental and physical health of young people will not be endangered. At the same time, it ensures that the work does not have a disruptive effect on their education or development.
The School of Work operates according to a risk assessment specifying the possible hazards, both with regard to bodily stress and physical exertion and when working with machines or in exceptional circumstances. This leads to fewer accidents and injuries.
Students will also be trained in the application of tools and machines and given instructions regarding physical exertion.
- In cases where students work near traffic, they wear reflective vests.
- A specific response plan is in place for injection needles that are found in the City’s garden beds city and out in the open.
- Reykjavík City's Policy Against Bullying, Sexual Harassment, Gender-Based Harassment, and Violence (EKKO) in the Workplace.
Accidents
Several accidents happen every year, but most of them are not serious. Most of them are related to athletics or games during meal and coffee breaks. The School of Work is committed to creating a safe work environment for students.
All accidents that occur during work hours are recorded to enable a timely response, reduce risks, and protect the health and safety of Reykjavík City employees. All incidents that cause injury must be recorded, whether they result in time away from work or not.
If an incident causes an absence from work, it must be reported to The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health and Icelandic Health Insurance (Sjúkratryggingar). The principal of the School of Work is responsible for ensuring this is done. You can contact the principal through vinnuskoli@reykjavik.is
School and working procedures
School and working procedures are intended to promote students' attachment and well-being at work. The School of Work of applies the following rules:
- Students follow the instructor's instructions and treat colleagues and others with courtesy and consideration in their work.
- Students are punctual.
- Students should arrive at work dressed according to the weather and with appropriate packed meals. Energy drinks are not allowed.
- Students are responsible for their own belongings during working hours.
- Mobile use is not permitted without the consent of the instructor.
- School of Work is a tobacco-free workplace. This also applies to vape and nicotine pouches.
Actions Due to Rules Violations
Students who fail to follow the rules of the School of Work receive a warning.
First warning: We can all make mistakes. Team members are expected to follow the team leader's guidance and improve.
Second warning: The team leader has given a second warning. If behavior doesn't change after this warning, the young person will be sent home.
Third warning: On the third warning, the young person is sent home. Young people are also sent home if they possess alcohol or illegal substances during work hours, use violence, or make threats.
Parents or guardians are contacted every time a young person is sent home during work hours.
If a young person is sent home three times during the employment period, they will be immediately dismissed from the School of Work program.
