Work Ethic Module

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Presentation do you mind?

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Work Ethic Module

EICC Logistics Technician Program

Jul 2008

Objectives

Define work ethic and ethical decision making.

Examine values most sought by employers.

Assess personal values.

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Identify areas in need of improvement.

Design an action plan to improve identified areas.

Reflect on working values and preferences.

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Why Do We Talk About This?

Insufficientfoundational

skills

L Difficulty finding Low skills

From an employee/personal point of view …

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Low Work Ethic

Difficulty finding and/or holding

a good job=

Low wages=

Lower Quality of

Life

Work Ethic = Responsible Workplace Behavior

Why Do We Talk About This?

From a management point of view …

Less Productivity

Less QualityLow Work Ethic

Customer Satisfaction

Suffers

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Work Ethic = Healthy and Prosperous Business

$$$ Loss

Before We Continue …

Ethics is a hard topic but important to explore.We encourage you to relate your own experiences or cases with which you are familiar.We request that you keep everything you hear confidential.

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No external judging of shared experiences is allowed.We want you to reflect and learn from life experiences.

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Brainstorm

What is Work Ethic ?

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What doesWork Ethic involve?

Work Ethic Definition

Ethic: “A code of principles and values which guide our choices and actions, and determine the purpose and course of our lives.”Source: Character at Work – Colorado State University Cooperative Extension

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“Work ethic is a set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work and diligence … work ethic may include being reliable, having initiative or maintaining social skills.” Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_ethic

Work Ethic

All of us can, in one way or another, differentiate right from wrong in most situations …

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… but “ethics is about character and moral courageand how we meet the challenge when doing the ‘right’ thing will cost us more than we want to pay.”

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Work Ethic – Personal Journal

Exercise # 1 Identify situations in your past where it was hard to do the ‘right’ thing.

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(work-related or not)

Work Ethic

Ethics Standards of conduct

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How one should behave is based upon:Moral DutiesObligations Virtues

Brainstorm

What are some examples of our moral duties and obligations ?

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How do we relate our moral duties and obligations

to standards of conduct?

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Work Ethic

Ethics is an action concept, not just a philosophical theory

“Is” vs. “Ought”

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Consequential vs. Inconsequential


Exercise # 2 Identify someone you know whom you admire for their work habits and think what makes them an example

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makes them an example

If You Want … Share Your Appreciation

It’s always nice to let others know when they are doing things right !

Nice surprise !

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Source: http://cbs13.com/watercooler/safe.drivers.sacramento.2.612778.html

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Work Ethic and Good Working Values

Graphic of steps to make ethical decisionsW O R K E T H I C

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Principles of Character

Josephson's Six Pillars of Character

CaringCitizenshipFairness

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RespectResponsibilityTrustworthiness

Source: Character at Work – Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. Adapted from Josephson’s Model for Making Ethical Decisions.

Work Ethic

Let’s watch the “Thank You for Smoking”

movie trailer

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http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/thankyouforsmoking/trailer/

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Work Ethic

When what is good for some, is bad for others …

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We need to …

Make ethical decisions !

Brainstorm

How do I make an ethical decision ?

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What should I consider when

making an ethical decision?

Ethical Decisions

Choices

Ethical dilemma

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Ethical Decision

Principles1. Interest of all

stakeholders2. Ethical > Non-ethical3. Greatest balance of

good in the long run

Ethical principles are the ground rules of

decision making – not just factors to consider

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Ethical Decisions

It is OK to lose …in fact, it is better to lose than to lie, steal or cheat in order to win.

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People who are unwilling to lose have to be willing to do whatever

it takes to win.

Ethical Decisions

One Approach to Making Ethical Decisions

Identify Evaluate Decide Implement Monitor &Modify

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Source: Character at Work Course – Colorado State University Cooperative Extension

• Clarify the problem

• Ethical principles at risk?

• Facts vs. Beliefs/Wants

• Identify truth

• Ponder consequences

• Decide what to do

• Plan how to implement the decision

• Act

• Follow up

• Follow through


Exercise # 3 Let’s consider a case that requires make an ethical decision.

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Case # 1Your elderly grandparents have asked you to visit them over theholidays. (You are away at school.) You have already signed up towork.

The business offers double-time pay when you work holidays. Someof your friends who are visiting from out of town are planning great

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y g p g gparties for Friday and Saturday.

Your parents (who know about work, but not about the parties)advise you to, “Do what you think is best”.

You know that they really want you to spend time with yourgrandparents.

What do you do?


Case # 2

You work in the administration office of a large company. You typea confidential memo for your supervisor, listing the names of tenpeople who will be laid off involuntarily in about one month. Yourclose friend Morgan’s name is on the list.

Th i M b d h h h

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That evening, Morgan stops by to see you and shares that herfamily has finally found the home of their dreams.

With both her and her husband working, they can afford the housepayment, even though money will be tight.

Do you tell Morgan about the lay off?


Graphic of steps to make ethical decisionsW O R K E T H I C

P i i l f Ch

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Principles of Character

Working Values

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Graphic of steps to make ethical decisionsWORK ETHIC

Principles of Character Workplace

Aff t

+YOU and

YOUR CAREER

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Character

Working Values

pBehavior(Your Actions and Decisions)

Affects+

THE COMPANY

and ITS

REPUTATION

Working Values Wanted by Employers

Work HardWork SmartDependable and ResponsiblePositive AttitudeGood teammateAdaptable

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AdaptableHonesty and IntegritySelf MotivatedMotivated to grow and learnSelf confidenceProfessionalism

Source: Attributes Employers Value Most in Candidates. Engineers Week, February 17-23, 2007.

Brainstorm

As a grouplet’s define these

working values

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gand

share the findings

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Brainstorm

What other factorscan affect

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our perception of ethics and values ?

Ethical Behavior

Ethical principles may also relate to themorals valued by our …

Culture

Family

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a y

Spiritual and religious beliefs

Neighborhoods and communities

Ethical Behavior

Should ethical behavior change

with the jobs and professions

in which we are employed ?

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Why or why not?

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Ethical Behavior

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Ethical Behavior

It costs just pennies!

I didn’t have time!

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It doesn't hurt

anybody !I deserveit!

Examples of Myths of Ethical Behavior

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Ethical Behavior

Some reasons why business people act unethically …

RationalizationBad role models in the organizationPeer pressure

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Source: “What is Ethical: Politics, Circumstances, Excuses Can Blur What is Right,” Michael S. Jones, ABCNews.com, February 21, 2002

Difficulty in defining what is ethicalCorporate culturePressure from superiors


Exercise # 4 Assess the different dimensions of value in your current or most recent job

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most recent job.

Self Assessment of Work Ethic

There is always room for improvement !

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To exceed and excel, you must push yourself to higher levels !

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Exercise # 5 Choose areas for improvement.(mark your assessment)

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Brainstorm

Ideas for improvement

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improvement


Exercise # 6 Create Action Plan

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Working Values and Preferences

When Working Values meets Personal Preferences …

What I like

What I do

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to do wellWhat I have to do

Working Values and Preferences

When Working Values meets Personal Preferences …

Company expectations about your

performance and

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What I like

to do

What I do

well

What I have to do

performance and work ethic

become more important than

personal preferences

Working Values– Personal Journal

Exercise # 7 Personal Preferences vs. Expected Working Values

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Working Values

Articulating preferences in the job search and interview

1. Read the job description carefully.Know what the company expects.Even jobs with the same name may require different tasks.

2. Know your strengths and weaknesses.Li t kill

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3. List your skills:Knowledge gained from education and experienceTransferable skills such as the ability to communicate, get along with people, solve problems, plan, create, etc.Personal traits from your areas

4. Be ready to share these during your interview, but word them in a positive way.

Work Ethic – Remember …

What is right and wrong

The foundation of responsible workplace behavioris ethical thinking and reasoning such as:

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What are acceptable standards of conduct

What attitudes and attributes foster and sustain society


Sometimes people must choose

What I want What I want to be

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Ethics have a price but also a value,which makes

self-restrain, sacrifice, service and charity worthwhile.

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You will remember for years how good you felt about making a good decision.

Questions ?

Thoughts ?

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Thank you for your time !

Acknowledgments

Jennifer BestLora Kaisler

ATEEC ServicesTim Cottle

Dissemination PolicyThis product was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The information contained in this product was created by a grantee organization (Eastern Iowa Community College District) and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor or Eastern Iowa Community College District. All references to non-governmental companies or organizations, their services, products, or resources are offered for informational purposes and should not

EICC Logistics Technician Program

July 2008

Mercedes Luna-Riveroresources are offered for informational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement by the Department of Labor or Eastern Iowa Community College District. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it and is intended for individual organizational, non-commercial use only.

Copyright © 2008 EICCD, all rights reserved.Contact Eastern Iowa Community College District for permission.

Case studies and examples are fictitious.Any similarity to persons living or dead is merely coincidental.

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References and Bibliography4H Youth Development (2005). Character at Work: Ethical decision making for the workplace. Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University Cooperative Extension.

Associated Press (2007, December 17). California Police Reward Good Drivers With Coffee. CBS Broadcasting Inc. Retrieved December 18, 2007, from http://cbs13.com/watercooler/safe.drivers.sacramento.2.612778.html.

Brainy Quote (2007). Selections from the database. Retrieved 20 December 2007, from http://www.brainyquote.com/.

Business Education Network (Nd.). Business and Education Partnership Work Ethic Rubric. IA: Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce.

Committee on Standards in Public Life (2007, March 10). The Seven Principles of Public Life. London, UK. Retrieved 21 December 2007, from http://www.public-standards.gov.uk/about_us/the_seven_principles_of_life.aspx.

DeMars, N. (1998, April 2). You Want Me To Do What? When Where & How to Draw the Line at Work. Simon & Schuster: Fireside Edition (ISBN-13: 978-0684850467)

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Fireside Edition. (ISBN 13: 978 0684850467).Jones, M.S. (2002, February 21). What is Ethical: Politics, Circumstances, Excuses Can Blur What is Right. ABCNews.com, [as cited in Business Ethics Activity Book, the: 50 Exercises for Promoting Integrity at Work by Marlene Caroselli, AMACON publisher, June 2003 (ISBN-13: 9780814472002).

Josephson Institute. (2007). The Six Pillars. Character Counts! Retrieved January 2, 2008, from http://charactercounts.org/defsix.htm.National Engineers Week Foundation (2007, February 17-23). Attributes Employers Value Most in Candidates. Retrieved 2 January 2008, from http://www.eweek.org/site/News/stats/attributes.shtml.University of Wisconsin System, Department Chairs (2002, April 3). Ethics Seminar Outline. (Video-conference results). Retrieved 21 December 2007, from http://www.uwsa.edu/gc-off/deskbook/ethics_seminar2.doc.

Wikimedia Foundation Inc. (2007, September). Work ethic. (Wikipedia contribution derived from Daniel T. Rogers. The Work Ethic in Industrial America, 1850-1920. Univ. of Chicago Press, 1978.) Retrieved 17 December 2007, fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_ethic.

Documents

Work Ethic Module