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Student name: ______________________________ Date: _____________
MODULE 2
Describe work ethics.
Objectives:
A. Define the
“work ethic.”
B. Define “work
ethics.”
C. Distinguish
between ethical and unethical work behavior.
D. Evaluate
your own commitment to the “work ethic.”
E.
Prepare a list of ethical standards for the performance
of your job.
MODULE 2: INFORMATION SHEET
TO THE STUDENT: Read and study this information sheet and then
complete the student activity
at the end of this section.
What is ethics when used with or without an
"S"?
Have
you ever heard of “work ethics” before? If you look the term “ethic” up in the
dictionary, you will see that it has to do with what is good and bad; that is,
it has to do with moral issues.
There are two ways the term “work ethic” is used today: with and without an “s.” The singular form, “the work ethic,” means something slightly different than the plural form, “work ethics.”
What is
ethics without an “S”?
“The work ethic” is a phrase that describes actions and beliefs of certain people. If a person works very hard and exhibits a great deal of pride in that work, that person is said to have a good “work ethic.” These people tend to be loyal, dependable, self-motivated, and satisfied workers. They believe that they have an obligation to work hard in order to provide for their families, contribute to the economic health of their community, and achieve a level of success for their own self-esteem.
The
“work ethic” concept originated back in the early Protestant church, as part of
the Reformation movement in Europe. People believed that God had given them
each a talent, gift, or skill (or maybe several skills) that they were expected
to use to the best of their ability. To not use their God-given abilities in
service to their fellow citizens was a form of sin, and the “Reformationalists”
dedicated their entire lives to avoiding sin. They wanted to serve God and
their fellow citizens with all their heart, thus fulfilling their purposes in
life.
As
you may see, some aspects of this “work ethic” concept remain in our society
today. The moral obligation that many people feel to engage in productive,
demanding, and appropriate work comes from these religious roots. In fact, our
society sees this desire as a very good one. Employers are pleased when their
employees exhibit qualities of this “work ethic.” The more of these qualities
the worker exhibits, the better worker he or she is considered to be.
So the “work ethic” could be defined as the belief that one should work diligently, beyond minimum expectations, striving for excellence in every aspect of the labor. This belief, along with resulting similar actions by a worker, makes for an employee that any supervisor would be pleased to have.
What is
ethics with an “S”?
With
an “s” on the end, “work ethics” means something slightly different. With roots
in the same religious belief system, the “ethics of the workplace” are usually
thought of today as a set of moral standards for each trade, profession, or job
classification. For example, psychologists would never disclose information
about their clients outside of their professional duties. To do so would be a
violation of their workplace ethics (or their moral/professional standards). A
good mechanic would never repair one item in a car while sabotaging another
part to malfunction later. It would be unethical. In the same way, it is
considered unethical to advertise a certain product as having certain qualities
if it really doesn’t.
At
times, fine lines are drawn between the ethical and the unethical. One
salesperson might believe it is all right to say his/her product is the best,
while another might say there are none better (implying that this is as good as
they come, but no better than other fine models). The sales people may
disagree; the first maintaining there is nothing wrong with his statement, and
the second refusing to “lie” to the customer. These types of differences among
standards can confuse younger workers and many people argue and debate such
issues at length.
As
confusing as it can become, each type of job has certain ethical standards that
most workers agree on for that occupation. Medical care workers agree that they
should do everything they can to save a patient in danger of dying. Most
workers agree that misrepresenting information to a customer or client is
unethical. There are many, many other standards that workers within each
occupation or profession try to live up to. These are workplace ethics (plural,
with an “s”).
There
are also many general ethical principles, applicable to any occupational area.
Honesty, loyalty, confidentiality, accuracy, and open-mindedness are qualities
that most employers hope their workers will possess. You could probably think
of many others as well.
Every
worker, including you, practices workplace ethics. Some workers practice them
more conscientiously than others. Unfortunately, some workers are unethical in
their performance of duties. At times, they break laws and are prosecuted, but
more often they simply fail to live up to accepted standards of doing the job
well. Perhaps they “juggle figures” to make their books balance
(fraud/embezzlement). Perhaps they copy someone else’s work and call it their
own (plagiarism). Maybe they hire a relative or a friend for a job rather than
the most qualified applicant (nepotism). Although these practices could be
challenged if discovered or uncovered, they often go unnoticed to all but the
guilty party.
What
about you?
How good is your understanding of the “work ethic” and “workplace ethics”? Do you exhibit qualities of a strong work ethic? Do you practice good workplace ethics? Do you do your job in a way that would earn respect from your employer? If every one of your actions and attitudes could be seen on videotape and played back in front of your employer, would you be pleased or embarrassed? Would your boss be proud or disappointed? Or worse yet, would you be fired for some unethical act?
The
following activities will help you to be able to describe work ethics (both
with and without an “s”) and to evaluate how ethical your own actions are. Most
workers are reasonably ethical and exhibit at least some qualities of the “work
ethic.” But many employers complain that they only have a few “really good
workers.” It would undoubtedly please the bosses of America if we workers would
launch an “old-fashioned work ethic” campaign, improving the work ethic (and
ethics) in each of our organizations. Will it start with you and me?
MODULE 2: STUDENT ACTIVITIES
TO THE STUDENT: After reading and studying the above information
sheet, complete these activities to demonstrate your understanding.
1. Defining the terms:
In the space below,
contrast the meanings of the terms “the work ethic” and “work ethics.”
2a. Using the terms
Next
to each item below, write the term “ethical” or “unethical,” indicating how
each action should be viewed by workers. If there is some doubt, or the item is
unclear, write “depends,” and state what additional information would be
helpful.
1. A
Dairy Queen worker weighs each cone before serving it to customers.
2. The
mechanic lets his brother use the garage bay for fixing his brakes after the
shop has closed.
3. The
carpentry co-op student enters 5:00 on the time card after his co-worker urges
him to do so, even though she is going home at 4:20 p.m.
4._________________________A nurse
aide works past the end of the shift in order to finish assigned work. The aide
was asked to be certain to finish the work during the shift because there would
be no overtime paid.
5._________________________A machinist co-op student scraps forty pieces and decides not to tell anyone because of the trouble it would cause.
6._________________________An assembler slows down
the production rate at his station, even though he could work faster because
workers at other stations seem unable to keep up.
2b. Check which of the following worker characteristics would reflect a worker with a good “work ethic.”
punctual sociable
respectful uncooperative
independent critical
conscientious loyal
self-centered reports off when ill
works when ill seeks improvement
satisfied
interdependent
takes on no
extras disinterested
*Note to instructor: The above exercises may have some ambiguous or
unclear responses because many issues relating to work ethics are ambiguous.
Please discuss the activities with students and help them draw conclusions
based on your additional input and experience. Students should be able to
justify their responses.
3.
Evaluate your commitment to the work ethic
Rate yourself on a scale of 1-5 on each of the
following items using this scale:
5 - A
leader; consistently act this way and encourage others to do so as well.
4 - A role model; usually act this way and try to
be an example.
3 - A good worker; can be depended upon to act
this way most of the time.
2 - Could improve; not always the best at this,
and should try to do better.
1 - Negligent; never gave it much thought.
1._____
I attend every day, arrive on time, begin my tasks promptly, and work
continually except for scheduled breaks.
2._____
I realize my own errors quickly, admit when I have made a mistake, try to solve
error-caused problems, and avoid making the same mistake again.
3._____
I wear clean, well-fitting clothing, keep my body clean, and dress
appropriately for my assigned duties.
4._____I
complete tasks in the expected time, combine tasks for greatest efficiency, and
refrain from nonproductive time wasting (unscheduled breaks, etc.).
5._____
I conform to all safety rules and exhibit extra concern for the safety of
others.
6._____
I get enough rest, work enthusiastically, and avoid destructive health habits
(smoking, substance abuse, drinking, and overeating).
7._____
I work 60 minutes every hour and seek alternative tasks when assigned work is
complete.
8._____
I avoid complaining and criticizing, maintain a productive pace, and am
committed to the company’s goals.
9._____
I make sure I achieve only the highest quality workmanship and I refuse to be
represented by second-rate work or products.
10.____I work cooperatively to achieve group goals, compliment others’ work, and participate in group efforts.
Add up
your score and see where you could improve:
40-50 - what
a worker!
30-40 - not
bad, most employers would be happy
20-30 - you
could stand to improve your work ethic
below
20 -
you may soon be unemployed
4. List
ethical standards for your job
Prepare a list of ethical standards for workers in
your occupation. List at least five GENERAL ethical standards (applicable to
any job), and at least five ethical standards that apply specifically to YOUR
job.
General Standards:
Your job title:
_________________________________________
Your occupational ethical
standards:
MODULE 2: STANDARDS ADDRESSED IN THIS MODULE
Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards for Career Education
and Work
13.1.11.
Career Awareness and Planning
A.
Analyze career options based on student interests, abilities,
aptitudes and accomplishments.
13.3.11.
Career Retention (Keeping a Job)
A.
Analyze work
habits needed to advance within a career.
Pennsylvania’s Academic
Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking
and Listening (RWSL)
1.1.11.
Learning to Read Independently
E. Establish a reading vocabulary by identifying and correctly using new words acquired through the study of their relationships to other words. Use a dictionary or related reference.
1.6.11
Speaking
and Listening
A.
Listen to
others.
·
Ask clarifying
questions.
·
Synthesize
information, ideas and opinions to determine relevancy.
·
Take notes.
Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills
(SCANS)
PERSONAL
QUALITIES
Self-Management: Assesses own knowledge,
skills, and abilities accurately; sets well-defined and realistic personal
goals; self-starter.
| ©
2003. The Professional Personnel Development Center , Penn State University. |
| To return to the Table of Contents click here. To print copies of the CAPS materials click here. |