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Home | Meet the trainees | Cheeky Chops | Train your senses | Second helpings | Jamie reflects | Take the heat? | Careers in catering | Find out more
Could you take the heat in Jamie's kitchen? If the going got tough would you get out of there or get stuck in? Take this test to find out if you could handle some of the challenges that crop up in the workplace. There's also some good advice that could help you become a model employee.
You wake up with a sore throat. It's a work day but you feel quite bad. Do you
A: ask your mum or a friend to call your boss?
B: not bother to tell anyone at work, stay in bed a little longer, catch up on daytime TV, then hook up with your mates later in the afternoon?
C: make a quick call to work, then go back to bed?
You've had a row with your boyfriend/girlfriend, and feel down. Do you
A: feel glad that at least you've got work to go to, as it will take your mind off things?
B: think it's better to keep your problems to yourself, so go to work as normal but avoid talking to anyone or taking part in social things?
C: just not bother turning up for a few days?
You don't have any money to pay for the journey to work. Do you
A: tell your boss you don't get paid enough?
B: buy a travel pass?
C: stay at home and listen to the new CDs you bought instead?
You want to get a job like the rest of your mates, but as you've got a child to look after, you think your chances are pretty slim. Do you
A: ask to see someone at the local employment centre, or a careers officer, to find out about the different kinds of help, support and special grants available for single parents who want to work?
B: worry that problems with childcare, or other difficulties at home, could result in you finding it hard to keep a job down?
C: think: 'There's no point in looking – no-one is going to employ a single parent, anyway'?
You find it hard getting into work on time. Do you
A: turn up late and hope no one will notice?
B: think up some good excuses?
C: try getting up earlier, so that if your journey to work takes a little longer, you'll still be there at the same time as everybody else?
Your boss tells you he is not happy with your work. Do you
A: tell him it wasn't your fault?
B: explain what went wrong?
C: tell him to where to stick his job and storm out?
You want to earn money but sometimes you feel bored learning how. Do you
A: hope that the person next to you is taking everything in so that you can ask them to tell you what it was all about later?
B: tell yourself that it will all be worth it in the end?
C: think: 'I'd rather be out having a laugh with mates instead – I can't be bothered with this'?
Answers below
-------------------------------------A: Don't be daft. This will only prove that you can't do things for yourself, which means that you are less likely to be given responsibility, and could miss out on the best jobs.
Try again!
B: Daytime TV is rubbish, anyway. If you do go out to hang around with your mates, chances are somebody will spot you, which means you risk not getting a good reference for a job that you really want in the future.
Try again!
C: If you really don't feel that you are up to going in, call work first thing in the morning so that your boss and work-mates don't get annoyed when you just don't turn up. Jump back into bed and pull the covers up.
Well done, please try the next question
A: Going to work and seeing your mates will lighten your mood, and help you realise that there will always be plenty to laugh about.
Well done, please try the next question
B: Just because you're miserable, why should you make everyone else feel that way, too? Get it off your chest by asking someone you like out for lunch and telling them what's been going on. You'll feel better, honest.
Try again!
C: Not only will this make you rather unpopular with your work-mates, it will also make you feel worse than you already do. Everyone's entitled to take a few days off when they need to – ask your boss if you can take a holiday soon.
Try again!
A: Life may be tough but it could be worse. And, if you're earning money, it can't be that bad. Try to budget your money when you get paid, or ask someone else to help you do it.
Try again!
B: Want a few extra pounds in your pocket? Buying a season ticket as soon as you get your wages is the best way to make sure that you can always get where you want to go, and as they usually come with a discount, you'll have more to spend, too.
Well done, please try the next question
C: All this will do is prove that you can't handle having money of your own. Borrow from a friend or someone in your family, or you won't be going anywhere fast...
Try again!
A: The good news is there is plenty of help and advice out there. Also, getting a job will give you more time to yourself, to do something that you want to do.
Well done, please try the next question
B: Your child's care should be just as important to your boss as it is to you – after all, he doesn't want to lose you. Just keep your work informed of any problems at home and you will get the support you need.
Try again!
C: Single parents deserve the same chances as everyone else. These days, most workplaces are keen to support single parents – some even provide childcare facilities on the premises.
Try again!
A: Believe us, people will. Not only that, they will start to wonder why you should get paid the same as them. If you think you are going to be late, call work from your mobile and let them know...
Try again!
B: They may sound pretty convincing to you but take our word for it, no-one is likely to believe your weird and wonderful tales of how long it took you to get to work that day. Even if you did bump into David Beckham on the bus...
Try again!
C: You'll soon get into the habit of waking up early. In fact, after a while, you'll start doing it on automatic pilot. And, an extra ten minutes to yourself is a great way to ease into the day.
Well done, please try the next question
A: Take our word for it, unless you've got a truly valid reason for why things went wrong, making excuses will only make you look more of a divvy.
Try again!
B: Even if you do feel like losing it, staying calm is the best way to take control of any situation. Listen to what your boss has to say, then, when they have finished, explain your side of the story. If you feel that your boss is in the wrong, say why – but calmly.
Well done, please try the next question
C: You might feel understandably upset and angry, but walking away won't really help. It will only make your boss think that you can't handle things when the going gets tough.
Try again!
A: And who do you think is going to be happy to sit through the boring stuff, just so you can copy their notes? Make your own notes – it will stop your mind from wandering, and you won't have to depend on anyone else to help you out.
Try again!
B: Learning the basics can seem tedious at times – we all get fed-up from time to time. But the great thing is, once you know the basics, everything else gets easier and you'll soon be moving on to more interesting things.
Well done, please read the quiz summary
C: If you can't be bothered, you risk coming across as being a rather boring sort yourself, and people will stop being bothered with you.
Try again!
Well done – you've successfully negotiated some of the tricky situations that crop up in the world of work.
There's no getting away from it – if you're getting paid to work, or even if you are on work experience, you're expected to be there on time and ready to do your job to the best of your abilities.
Remember, if you treat your boss with respect, they're more likely to respect you. But there's no need to put up with any workplace bullying either.
When things get tough, remember the money and your plans to work your way to the top. One day, you could be in charge and you'll be dishing out the orders yourself.
Act like a professional – and you'll be treated like one.
Help and information
It's always good to talk to someone if you have a problem that may be affecting your work. If you don't feel able to confide in your boss, there may be a Human Resources (Personnel) person you can speak to.
If you want straight-talking advice on any health and wellbeing matters, visit our just ask service. Or, for further information about organisations or helplines that can offer support, go to our get help directory.
The Channel 4 stress magazine has a section on stress and work and includes a feature on bullying in the workplace. The Channel 4 feature not all baby blues includes sources of help for lone parents.