Transcript WorkEthic_Notes_v15 - Mercedes Luna-Rivero e

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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.
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Assess personal values.

Identify areas in need of improvement.
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Design an action plan to improve identified areas.

Reflect on working values and preferences.
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Why Do We Talk About This?
From an employee/personal point of view …
Insufficient
foundational
skills
Low
Work Ethic
Difficulty finding
and/or holding
a good job
Low skills
=
Low wages
=
Lower
Quality of
Life
Work Ethic = Responsible Workplace Behavior
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Why Do We Talk About This?
From a management point of view …
Less
Productivity
Low
Work Ethic
Less Quality
Customer
Satisfaction
Suffers
$$$ Loss
Work Ethic = Healthy and Prosperous Business
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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.
 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 ?
What does
Work Ethic involve?
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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

“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
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Work Ethic
All of us can, in one way or another, differentiate right
from wrong in most situations …
… but “ethics is about character and moral courage
and 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.
(work-related or not)
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Work Ethic
Ethics
Standards
of conduct
How one should behave is based upon:
 Moral Duties
 Obligations
 Virtues
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Brainstorm
What are some examples of
our moral duties
and obligations ?
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”
 Consequential vs.
Inconsequential
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Work Ethic – Personal Journal
Exercise # 2
Identify someone you know
whom you admire for their
work habits and think what
makes them an example
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If You Want … Share Your Appreciation
It’s always nice to let others know
when they are doing things right !
Nice surprise !
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 decisions
WORK
ETHIC
Principles of Character
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Josephson's Six Pillars of Character

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



Caring
Citizenship
Fairness
Respect
Responsibility
Trustworthiness
Source: Character at Work – Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. Adapted from Josephson’s Model for Making Ethical
Decisions.
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Work Ethic
Let’s watch the
“Thank You for Smoking”
movie trailer
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 …
We need to …
Make ethical
decisions !
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Brainstorm
How do I make
an ethical decision ?
What should
I consider when
making an ethical decision?
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Ethical Decisions
Ethical dilemma
Choices
1. Interest of all
stakeholders
2. Ethical > Non-ethical
3. Greatest balance of
good in the long run
Principles
Ethical principles are
the ground rules of
decision making – not
just factors to consider
Ethical Decision
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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.
People who are unwilling to lose
have to be willing to do whatever
it takes to win.
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Ethical Decisions
One Approach to Making Ethical Decisions
Identify
• Clarify the
problem
Evaluate
• Ethical
principles
at risk?
• Facts vs.
Beliefs/
Wants
Decide
• Identify truth
• Ponder
consequences
• Decide what
to do
Implement
• Plan how
to
implement
the
decision
Monitor &
Modify
• Follow
up
• Follow
through
• Act
Source: Character at Work Course – Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
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Work Ethic – Personal Journal
Exercise # 3
Let’s consider a case that
requires make an ethical
decision.
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Work Ethic – Personal Journal
Case # 1
Your elderly grandparents have asked you to visit them over the
holidays. (You are away at school.) You have already signed up to
work.
The business offers double-time pay when you work holidays. Some
of your friends who are visiting from out of town are planning great
parties 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 your
grandparents.
What do you do?
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Work Ethic – Personal Journal
Case # 2
You work in the administration office of a large company. You type
a confidential memo for your supervisor, listing the names of ten
people who will be laid off involuntarily in about one month. Your
close friend Morgan’s name is on the list.
That evening, Morgan stops by to see you and shares that her
family has finally found the home of their dreams.
With both her and her husband working, they can afford the house
payment, even though money will be tight.
Do you tell Morgan about the lay off?
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Work Ethic and Good Working Values
Graphic of steps to make ethical decisions
WORK
ETHIC
Principles of Character
Working Values
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Work Ethic and Good Working Values
YOU and
YOUR
CAREER
Graphic
of steps
to
WORK
ETHIC
make ethical decisions
+
Principles of
Character
+
Working
Values
Workplace
Behavior
(Your Actions
and Decisions)
Affect
s
THE
COMPANY
and
ITS
REPUTATION
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Working Values Wanted by Employers
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
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
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
Work Hard
Work Smart
Dependable and Responsible
Positive Attitude
Good teammate
Adaptable
Honesty and Integrity
Self Motivated
Motivated to grow and learn
Self confidence
Professionalism
Source: Attributes Employers Value Most in Candidates. Engineers Week, February 17-23, 2007.
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Brainstorm
As a group
let’s define these
working values
and
share the findings
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Brainstorm
What other factors
can affect
our perception
of ethics and values ?
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Ethical Behavior
Ethical principles may also relate to the
morals valued by our …

Culture

Family

Spiritual and religious beliefs

Neighborhoods and communities
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Ethical Behavior
Should ethical behavior change
with the jobs and professions
in which we are employed ?
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!
I deserve
it!
It doesn't
hurt
anybody !
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Examples of Myths of Ethical Behavior
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Ethical Behavior
Some reasons why business people act unethically …
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Rationalization
Bad role models in the organization
Peer pressure
Difficulty in defining what is ethical
Corporate culture
Pressure from superiors
Source: “What is Ethical: Politics, Circumstances, Excuses Can Blur What is Right,” Michael S. Jones,
ABCNews.com, February 21, 2002
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Work Ethic – Personal Journal
Exercise # 4
Assess the different
dimensions of value
in your current or
most recent job.
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Self Assessment of Work Ethic
There is always room for
improvement !
To exceed and excel, you must push
yourself to higher levels !
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Work Ethic – Personal Journal
Exercise # 5
Choose areas for improvement.
(mark your assessment)
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Brainstorm
Ideas for
improvement
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Work Ethic – Personal Journal
Exercise # 6
Create Action Plan
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Working Values and Preferences
When Working Values meets Personal Preferences …
What I
like
to do
What I
do
well
What I
have
to do
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Working Values and Preferences
When Working Values meets Personal Preferences …
What I
like
to do
What I
do
well
What I
have
to do
Company
expectations
about your
performance and
work ethic
become more
important than
personal
preferences
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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.
2.
3.
4.
Read the job description carefully.
 Know what the company expects.
 Even jobs with the same name may require different tasks.
Know your strengths and weaknesses.
List your skills:
 Knowledge gained from education and experience
 Transferable skills such as the ability to communicate, get
along with people, solve problems, plan, create, etc.
 Personal traits from your areas
Be ready to share these during your interview, but word them
in a positive way.
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Work Ethic – Remember …
The foundation of responsible workplace behavior
is ethical thinking and reasoning such as:
 What is right and wrong
 What are acceptable standards of conduct
 What attitudes and attributes foster and sustain
society
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Work Ethic – Remember …
Sometimes people must choose
What I want
What I want to be
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Work Ethic – Remember …
Ethics have a price but also a value,
which makes
self-restrain, sacrifice, service and charity worthwhile.
You will remember for years how good you felt about
making a good decision.
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Questions ?
Thoughts ?
Thank you for your time !
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Acknowledgments
Dissemination Policy
This 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
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.
EICC Logistics
Technician Program
July 2008
Jennifer Best
Lora Kaisler
ATEEC Services
Tim Cottle
Mercedes Luna-Rivero
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.
References and Bibliography
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4H 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).
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, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_ethic.
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