13. Principal occupation
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Question 13: Principal Occupation
Occupation is understood as the type of specific work that the employed person carried out in the reference period or did, for the first time, if unemployed, whatever the economic industry is that forms a part or the category they have.
[p. 54]
[On the top of the page is a form.]
The information about the occupation is gathered for those who were working the week before the census and also for those who were unemployed, even if for these cases the occupation will be what they did in their last job.
Ask the question such as it appears in the form, that is: What occupation or class of work did you do during the week of June 3 to 9 or in your last job?
The class of job should be written down as completely as possible, indicating the specialty of the occupation, for example, it is not enough to write professor, you should write professor of primary, professor of secondary, university professor, etc.
Also, do not confuse the principal occupation with the profession or craft. Doctors, lawyers or engineers, although they usually work in their profession, can do administrative work in a hospital, as well as judges, as well as managers of companies. Examples of the following "incorrect" and "correct" annotations are given to you that will help you understand better what has been said.
[Below are two columns, one marked "Incorrect annotation" and one marked "Correct annotation". I am going to translate them without using two columns.]
Professor
Correct Annotation
Professor of Primary
Professor of Secondary
Incorrect Annotation
Mechanic
Correct Annotation
Automobile Mechanic
Thresher Mechanic
Incorrect Annotation
Worker
Correct Annotation
Agricultural Worker
Milker
Quarry Worker
Poultry Farm Worker
Incorrect Annotation
Doctor
Correct Annotation
Medical director of a hospital
Head of surgery of a hospital
Medical investigator
Professor of Pathology in the Medical Faculty
Incorrect Annotation
Lawyer
Correct Annotation
Lawyer, professor in the Faculty of Law
First Judge of a Lower Court
Judicial Advisor of a Ministry
Price Comptroller
If a person does not indicate the name of their job, tell them to describe the principal job they do and write it: managing a machine that stamps sheets, feeding animals at a farm, etc.
If the interviewed person had more that one job, write down only the principal one, considering as such the occupation where the largest amount of time was spent.
When a person about whom you are asking for information is absent, investigate their occupation with the remaining members of the household.