1 presentation do you mind?. work ethic module eicc logistics technician program jul 2008

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Presentation do you mind?

Work Ethic Module

EICC Logistics Technician Program

Jul 2008

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Objectives

Define work ethic and ethical decision making.

Examine values most sought by employers.

Assess personal values.

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?

Insufficient foundational

skills

Low Work Ethic

Difficulty finding and/or

holding a good job

Low skills

= Low

wages=

Lower Quality of Life

We want you to succeed !

Work Ethic = Responsible Workplace Behavior

From an employee/personal point of view …

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Why Do We Talk About This?

Work Ethic = Healthy and Prosperous Business

From a management point of view …

Less Productivi

ty

Less Quality

$$$ Loss

Low Work Ethic

Customer

Satisfaction

Suffers

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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 doesWork 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

… 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.”

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

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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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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 !

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

Nice surprise ! Would you share your thoughts about his/her work ethic and values with a person you admire?

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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

Principles of Character

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Josephson's Six Pillars of Character

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 Decision

Principles

OptionsChoices Reasons

Ethical dilemma

1. Interest of all stakeholders

2. Ethical > Non-ethical

3. 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.

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 Evaluate Decide ImplementMonitor &

Modify

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

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


Working Values

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Graphic of steps to make ethical decisionsWORK ETHIC


Working Values

Workplace Behavior(Your Actions and Decisions)

Affects

+

+

YOU and YOUR

CAREER

THE COMPANY

and ITS

REPUTATION

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Working Values Wanted by Employers

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 grouplet’s define these working values

andshare the findings

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Brainstorm

What other factorscan affect

our perception of ethics and values ?

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Ethical Behavior

Ethical principles may also relate to themorals valued by our …

Culture

Family

Spiritual and religious beliefs

Neighborhoods and

communities

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Ethical Behavior

Should ethical behavior changewith the jobs and professionsin which we are employed ?

Why or why not?

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Ethical Behavior

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Ethical Behavior

I was told

to do it!It wasn’t my fault!

Everybod

y is doing

it!It doesn't

hurt anybody !

I was doing it for you!

I deserveit!

It costs just pennies!

I didn’t have time!

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Examples of Myths of Ethical Behavior

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Ethical Behavior

Some reasons why business people act unethically …

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

Rationalization Bad role models in the organization Peer pressure Difficulty in defining what is ethical Corporate culture Pressure from superiors

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

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Brainstorm

Ideas for improvement

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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. 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.3. 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 areas4. Be ready to share these during your interview, but

word them in a positive way.

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Work Ethic – Remember …

What is right and wrong

What are acceptable standards of conduct

What attitudes and attributes foster and sustain society

The foundation of responsible workplace behavior

is ethical thinking and reasoning such as:

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Sometimes people must choose

What I want What I want to be

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

Ethics have a price but also a value, which makes

self-restrain, sacrifice, service and charity worthwhile.

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Questions ?

Thank you for your time !

Thoughts ?

EICC Logistics Technician Program

July 2008

Acknowledgments

Jennifer BestLora Kaisler

ATEEC ServicesTim Cottle

Mercedes Luna-Rivero

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 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 Bibliography 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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