Final answer:
A manager or supervisor has a duty of care when they are responsible for certain processes and outcomes, including the health and safety of their employees. This duty extends to treating temporary workers like permanent ones and responding to emergencies. Judgment and understanding of one's role are key in navigating conflicting responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Duty of Care as a Manager or Supervisor
As a manager or supervisor, recognizing when you have a duty of care involves understanding your responsibilities in various scenarios. From the onset, your manager will typically outline your responsibilities and the outcomes for which you will be held accountable. This can apply to the oversight of processes, achievement of specific goals, or the well-being of employees under your supervision.
When dealing with temporary workers, it is important to understand that they should be treated with the same care as permanent employees. Both the staffing agency and the host employer jointly share the duty to ensure compliance with workplace health and safety standards. Violations may result in both being held responsible.
The concept of duty of care can also extend to more immediate and pressing obligations such as responding to emergencies. Similarly, when you host an event, your responsibilities as host entail providing for the guests and ensuring their safety, which may sometimes conflict with other lesser duties you might have.
Often, you will understand your scope of duty through meetings with your own manager, as they clarify the priorities of your job. Viewing your manager as an important internal customer can help in striving to fulfill not only your basic job responsibilities but also proactively tending to the needs of your manager, thus enhancing job performance and satisfaction.
In any case and role, judgment plays a crucial part. Combining your experience and observations with the expectations set by your role will guide you in decision-making, especially when conflicting duties arise.