Good Work Ethics

CHAPTER 4
WORK

- activity involving mental or physical effort done in order

to achieve a purpose or result

- a task or tasks to be undertaken; something a person or

thing has to do
Ethics are a common and crucial set of behavioral guidelines that
are necessary to exist as a part of society. Ethics, in a way, ensure
that our actions are not aimed at harming anyone. There are certain
ethics that are universal in nature.

For instance, killing someone or stealing money is considered

unethical and unacceptable in any civil society.
What Is Work Ethic? 

The meaning of work ethic refers to a set of behavioral rules that

create a positive environment at work. A strong work ethic can lead
to employees being fairly treated, which in turn motivates them and
develops a sense of loyalty towards the organization.
The Work Ethic Traits Most Valued by Leaders

The modern definition of what constitutes good work ethics

often varies.  Different businesses have different expectations.
Top 10 Work Ethics

1.  Desire to think

Not only has the ability to think critically, but to apply it.  Sees the
value of thinking things through before making decisions and when
resolving problems.

2.  Commitment
Is loyally oriented to the job, company goals and mission.

3.  Honesty
Respects other people’s property, follows rules, keeps promises, and
tells the truth.
4.  Regard for safety
Values workplace safety rules and precautions for personal and co-
worker safety. Avoids unnecessary risks

5.  Professionalism
Takes an appropriate approach to social interactions at work.
Maintains focus on work responsibilities

6.  Motivated
Eagerly focuses energy on accomplishing tasks, also referred to as
demonstrating ownership. Takes pride in work.
7.  Tolerance
Respects diversity in the workplace, including showing due respect
for different perspectives, opinions and suggestions

8.  Flexibility
Is resilient. Able to welcome and adapt to changing workplace
situations and the application of new or different skills
9.  Desire to learn
Willing to learn new processes, systems and procedures in light of
changing responsibilities

10.  Dependability
Motivated to complete assigned tasks well, taking pride in the
accomplishment of work assignments.
Reasons People Lose Their Jobs

Layoff

There's no shame in being laid off from a job. Layoffs are usually made on
a last-in-first-out basis or targeted at areas of a business where efficiency
savings can be made. They're rarely based on performance. Nevertheless,
being laid off can be a major shock, especially if you're not entitled to any
severance pay. The Fair Labor Act doesn't require employers to
compensate workers for being laid off, so you'll only receive a severance
payment if you negotiated one with the company in advance.
Termination

If you've been sacked, it's likely that at least some of your colleagues
would have seen it coming, even if you didn't. Repeatedly turning up late
for work, being rude to your coworkers, customers and superiors or
simply not doing your job properly can get you the can. Your employer
could leave itself open to a wrongful discharge case if it sacked you
without good reason but will typically be able to let you go if you were
hired on an “at-will” basis. You should contact your local Department of
Labor for advice on employment law in your state if you feel you've been
wrongly discharged.
Shutdown

When a business shuts down completely, it's inevitable that all its
workers will be out of a job. If you've just lost your job as a
consequence of the company you worked for closing its doors, you
could have trouble getting any wages owed to you. You'll have to
effectively join a list of creditors if the firm you worked for owed you
money when it collapsed.
Health

Employees who lose their jobs through ill health suffer more
significant depression and detrimental health outcomes than people
who lose their jobs for non-health reasons, according to a 2007 study
from the University of Michigan. If you work as an air traffic
controller, you wouldn't be able to carry on doing your job if you lost
your sight. Although you may be entitled to health insurance,
unemployment and pension benefits from your old job, you'd be faced
with having to retrain for another career.
5 Common Reasons People Get Fired

1. Stealing Company Equipment

It sounds like a no-brainer, but take a step back and you might see
some less-obvious transgressions. Think no one’ll notice if you take a
stack of printer paper home every week? If you accidentally “lose”
your mouse and need to expense another of each? If you pocket
snacks, and tea bags, and community honey every afternoon to stock
your own pantry?
2. Lying to a Client (or Your Boss)

We’re not talking about those little lies everyone tells  at one point
or another. Taking a sick day because you had terrible insomnia
and can’t fathom the thought of putting on pants is one thing, but
telling your boss that a family member died when really you found
a cheap flight to Europe is another, wouldn’t you say?
3. Bullying or Harassing a Colleague

You know this one, right? Sexual harassment or workplace bullying is

intolerable and pretty much guaranteed to get you canned if HR gets
wind of it. Good. But be careful for all the small ways this might
manifest. Shaming a co-worker’s greasy hamburger and fries lunch
could easily be considered obnoxious and mean.
4. Not Doing Your Work

Most of us can relate to going through a rough patch when

motivation seems impossible to grasp and we’re barely eking out
a decent day’s work. Maybe some days, you look back and
wonder how you wasted the whole day. Hey, it happens to the
best of us. But, struggle to complete any work over an extended
period of time, and you can bet your boss isn’t having it.
5. Calling Out or Coming in Late on a Regular Basis

Sick and personal days exist for a reason, and you should use them at
your discretion and with your supervisor’s approval. And sure,
sometimes the flu will knock you out for a week, or you’ll have a
family issue and need to use all of your personal days across a short
period of time. But when you start calling in sick weekly or coming in
late every day, you better believe your manager’s taking notice.
Main Responsibilities of Employees

Employees have responsibilities towards their employers, even if they work

part time or don’t have a written contract with their employers.
These are the main responsibilities of employees:

 to personally do the work they were hired to do

 to do their work carefully and seriously (In some cases, they could be
fired or disciplined if they’re often late for work, or if they’re absent too
often or for no good reason.)
 to avoid putting themselves or others in danger
 to follow their employer’s instructions (There are some exceptions. For
example, if an employer asks an employee to do something dangerous or
illegal, the employee doesn’t have to follow these instructions.
 to be loyal
Employers’ Responsibilities Towards Employees
These are the main ones:

 Employers must give their employees a place to work and make

sure they have access to it. They must give them the tools,
equipment and other things they need to do their work.

 Employers must pay their employees the salary and benefits they
agreed to, including vacation, paid holidays and other types of
holidays.
 Employers must make sure their employees’ working conditions are
safe.

 In some cases, employers must give their employees written notice

that their contracts are ending or that they are being laid off. Note
that employers can pay employees a sum of money instead of giving
the notice.

 Employers must treat their employees with respect. They must make
sure their employees are not harassed or discriminated against.
NOTE:

If an employee signs a written contract with the employer, it might

place more responsibilities on the employer than the ones required by
law.

For example, an employment contract might say that the employer has
to pay employees who have to use their own cars to do their jobs. Or
the contract might also say that the employer has to pay back their
employees for travel or entertainment expenses if they show their
receipts.
Thank You for Listening !