Workplace Ethics Overview

Requisites of Ethical Behavior in the Workplace

• Learning Objectives:
  • Understand workplace ethics.
  • Evaluate the importance of strong work ethics.
  • Explain how work ethics impact organizational success.
  • Determine the role of work ethics in company reputation.
  • Describe the current state of work ethics among employees.

Work Ethics Nature and Definition

• Definition: Employers and employees adhere to beliefs, moral concepts, and standards known as workplace ethics. This impacts employee behavior and attitudes toward their job, career, and productivity.
• Example: Individuals like Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Elon Musk of Tesla, and Tim Cook of Apple exhibit strong discipline and persistence in their pursuit of success, highlighting commitment to a high standard of work.

The Benefit of Strong Work Ethic

• Balanced Workplace Culture: Strong work ethic employees present themselves professionally, respecting coworkers, superiors, and those they interact with. This fosters a positive work environment.
• Higher Productivity: Employees with strong ethics prioritize company commitments over frivolous activities. They are motivated to complete tasks thoroughly and balance work and life effectively.
• Wider Talent Pool: Individuals with strong work ethics maintain their commitment as they advance in their careers. This results in improved employee performance and the ability to retain valuable assets.

Developing Strong Work Ethic Skills

• Hard Work: Persistence is crucial when facing difficult tasks.
• Dedication: Dedicated employees follow through, meet deadlines, and complete tasks thoroughly.
• Responsibility: Strong work ethic individuals are accountable, demonstrating consistency.
• Determination: Employees with strong work ethics demonstrate the determination to meet and surpass their goals. They seek resources as needed.
• Professionalism: Producing quality work remains important regardless of challenges, demonstrating perseverance.
• Discipline: Workers with good discipline are not influenced by personal desires and exhibit consistency in completing their duties.
• Productivity: Individuals with a strong work ethic are highly productive and committed to achieving objectives.
• Integrity: Integrity involves making moral and ethical decisions.
• Teamwork: Team players are willing to help coworkers and recognize that team success is crucial to the company's success.

Ways to Improve Work Ethics

• Cultivate Self-Discipline and Professionalism: Strive for excellence, be persistent and thorough with projects, focusing on long-term goals, and avoid short-term gratification.
• Observe Punctuality and Efficient Time Use: Arrive on time or early for appointments, review notes or speak with instructors. Complete assignments on time, recognizing time as valuable.
• Develop a "Can Do" Mindset: Correctly perform tasks, avoid poor quality work resulting from rushing or poor planning. If a task cannot be done well, avoid undertaking it in the first place.
• Build a Positive Reputation: Be trustworthy, dependable, volunteer for tasks, meet deadlines, and complete additional responsibilities to a high standard.
• Focus and Persistence: Focus on training yourself to work harder for extended periods and balance that focus with enough rest, thereby preventing burnout.
• Start Each Day Positively: Maintain a healthy morning routine which might include meditation, mantras, and exercise. Prioritize your work, personal life and rest.
• Eliminate Distractions: Avoid distractions like emails and social media to maintain focus and emotional connection.

Managing Time

• Time Management: Learning to manage time effectively involves identifying priorities, preventing neglect of important people and aspects of life (e.g., family and social life). Time is a valuable resource, and managing it well is crucial.

Developing Time Management Skills

• To Do Lists: Creating and maintaining to do lists, weekly and monthly planners.
• Preparation: Preparing for activities in advance.
• Punctuality: Arriving on time or at least 15 minutes early.