A round of applause for the worker (4)
I believe the answer is:
hand
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'a round of applause' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'the worker' is the second definition.
(hand is a kind of worker)
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for hand that I've seen before include "Pass" , "Worker - penmanship - four inches" , "employee" , "Unclenched fist" , "Give worker" .)