CAPS Module 2

Student name: ______________________________ Date: _____________

MODULE 2
Describe work ethics.
Objectives:

A. Define the “work ethic.”

B. Define “work ethics.”
C. Distinguish between ethical and unethical work
behavior.
D. Evaluate your own commitment to the “work ethic.”
E. Prepare a list of ethical standards for the performance of
your job.

MODULE 2: INFORMATION SHEET

TO THE STUDENT: Read and study this information sheet and then complete the
student activity at the end of this section.

What is ethics when used with or without an "S"?

Have you ever heard of “work ethics” before? If you look the term
“ethic” up in the dictionary, you will see that it has to do with what is
good and bad; that is, it has to do with moral issues.

There are two ways the term “work ethic” is used today: with and
without an “s.” The singular form, “the work ethic,” means something
slightly different than the plural form, “work ethics.”

What is ethics without an “S”?

“The work ethic” is a phrase that describes actions and beliefs of

certain people. If a person works very hard and exhibits a great deal of
pride in that work, that person is said to have a good “work ethic.”
These people tend to be loyal, dependable, self-motivated, and
satisfied workers. They believe that they have an obligation to work
hard in order to provide for their families, contribute to the economic
health of their community, and achieve a level of success for their own
self-esteem.

The “work ethic” concept originated back in the early Protestant

church, as part of the Reformation movement in Europe. People

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believed that God had given them each a talent, gift, or skill (or maybe
several skills) that they were expected to use to the best of their ability.
To not use their God-given abilities in service to their fellow citizens
was a form of sin, and the “Reformationalists” dedicated their entire
lives to avoiding sin. They wanted to serve God and their fellow citizens
with all their heart, thus fulfilling their purposes in life.

As you may see, some aspects of this “work ethic” concept remain in
our society today. The moral obligation that many people feel to
engage in productive, demanding, and appropriate work comes from
these religious roots. In fact, our society sees this desire as a very good
one. Employers are pleased when their employees exhibit qualities of
this “work ethic.” The more of these qualities the worker exhibits, the
better worker he or she is considered to be.

So the “work ethic” could be defined as the belief that one should work
diligently, beyond minimum expectations, striving for excellence in
every aspect of the labor. This belief, along with resulting similar
actions by a worker, makes for an employee that any supervisor would
be pleased to have.

What is ethics with an “S”?

With an “s” on the end, “work ethics” means something slightly

different. With roots in the same religious belief system, the “ethics of
the workplace” are usually thought of today as a set of moral standards
for each trade, profession, or job classification. For example,
psychologists would never disclose information about their clients
outside of their professional duties. To do so would be a violation of
their workplace ethics (or their moral/professional standards). A good
mechanic would never repair one item in a car while sabotaging
another part to malfunction later. It would be unethical. In the same
way, it is considered unethical to advertise a certain product as having
certain qualities if it really doesn’t.

At times, fine lines are drawn between the ethical and the unethical.
One salesperson might believe it is all right to say his/her product is
the best, while another might say there are none better (implying that
this is as good as they come, but no better than other fine models). The
sales people may disagree; the first maintaining there is nothing wrong
with his statement, and the second refusing to “lie” to the customer.
These types of differences among standards can confuse younger
workers and many people argue and debate such issues at length.

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As confusing as it can become, each type of job has certain ethical

standards that most workers agree on for that occupation. Medical care
workers agree that they should do everything they can to save a patient
in danger of dying. Most workers agree that misrepresenting
information to a customer or client is unethical. There are many, many
other standards that workers within each occupation or profession try
to live up to. These are workplace ethics (plural, with an “s”).

There are also many general ethical principles, applicable to any

occupational area. Honesty, loyalty, confidentiality, accuracy, and
open-mindedness are qualities that most employers hope their workers
will possess. You could probably think of many others as well.

Every worker, including you, practices workplace ethics. Some

workers practice them more conscientiously than others. Unfortunately,
some workers are unethical in their performance of duties. At times,
they break laws and are prosecuted, but more often they simply fail to
live up to accepted standards of doing the job well. Perhaps they
“juggle figures” to make their books balance (fraud/embezzlement).
Perhaps they copy someone else’s work and call it their own
(plagiarism). Maybe they hire a relative or a friend for a job rather than
the most qualified applicant (nepotism). Although these practices could
be challenged if discovered or uncovered, they often go unnoticed to
all but the guilty party.

What about you?

How good is your understanding of the “work ethic” and “workplace

ethics”? Do you exhibit qualities of a strong work ethic? Do you
practice good workplace ethics? Do you do your job in a way that
would earn respect from your employer? If every one of your actions
and attitudes could be seen on videotape and played back in front of
your employer, would you be pleased or embarrassed? Would your
boss be proud or disappointed? Or worse yet, would you be fired for
some unethical act?

The following activities will help you to be able to describe work ethics
(both with and without an “s”) and to evaluate how ethical your own
actions are. Most workers are reasonably ethical and exhibit at least
some qualities of the “work ethic.” But many employers complain that
they only have a few “really good workers.” It would undoubtedly
please the bosses of America if we workers would launch an “old-
fashioned work ethic” campaign, improving the work ethic (and ethics)
in each of our organizations. Will it start with you and me?

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MODULE 2: STUDENT ACTIVITIES

TO THE STUDENT: After reading and studying the above information sheet,
complete these activities to demonstrate your understanding.

1. Defining the terms:

In the space below, contrast the meanings of the terms “the work ethic” and
“work ethics.”

2a. Using the terms

Next to each item below, write the term “ethical” or “unethical,” indicating
how each action should be viewed by workers. If there is some doubt, or the
item is unclear, write “depends,” and state what additional information would
be helpful.

1. A Dairy Queen worker weighs each cone before

serving it to customers.

2. The mechanic lets his brother use the garage

bay for fixing his brakes after the shop has
closed.

3. The carpentry co-op student enters 5:00 on the

time card after his co-worker urges him to do so,
even though she is going home at 4:20 p.m.

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4._________________________A nurse aide works past the end of the shift in

order to finish assigned work. The aide was
asked to be certain to finish the work during the
shift because there would be no overtime paid.

5._________________________A machinist co-op student scraps forty pieces

and decides not to tell anyone because of the
trouble it would cause.

6._________________________An assembler slows down the production rate at

his station, even though he could work faster
because workers at other stations seem unable
to keep up.

2b. Check which of the following worker characteristics would reflect a

worker with a good “work ethic.”

punctual sociable
respectful uncooperative
independent critical
conscientious loyal
self-centered reports off when ill
works when ill seeks improvement
satisfied interdependent
takes on no extras disinterested

*Note to instructor: The above exercises may have some ambiguous or unclear
responses because many issues relating to work ethics are ambiguous. Please discuss
the activities with students and help them draw conclusions based on your additional
input and experience. Students should be able to justify their responses.

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3. Evaluate your commitment to the work ethic

Rate yourself on a scale of 1-5 on each of the following items using this scale:

5 - A leader; consistently act this way and encourage others to do so as well.

4 - A role model; usually act this way and try to be an example.
3 - A good worker; can be depended upon to act this way most of the time.
2 - Could improve; not always the best at this, and should try to do better.
1 - Negligent; never gave it much thought.

1._____ I attend every day, arrive on time, begin my tasks promptly, and work
continually except for scheduled breaks.

2._____ I realize my own errors quickly, admit when I have made a mistake, try to
solve error-caused problems, and avoid making the same mistake again.

3._____ I wear clean, well-fitting clothing, keep my body clean, and dress
appropriately for my assigned duties.

4._____I complete tasks in the expected time, combine tasks for greatest efficiency,
and refrain from nonproductive time wasting (unscheduled breaks, etc.).

5._____ I conform to all safety rules and exhibit extra concern for the safety of others.

6._____ I get enough rest, work enthusiastically, and avoid destructive health habits
(smoking, substance abuse, drinking, and overeating).

7._____ I work 60 minutes every hour and seek alternative tasks when assigned work
is complete.

8._____ I avoid complaining and criticizing, maintain a productive pace, and am

committed to the company’s goals.

9._____ I make sure I achieve only the highest quality workmanship and I refuse to be
represented by second-rate work or products.

10.____I work cooperatively to achieve group goals, compliment others’ work, and
participate in group efforts.

Add up your score and see where you could improve:

40-50 - what a worker!
30-40 - not bad, most employers would be happy
20-30 - you could stand to improve your work ethic
below 20 - you may soon be unemployed

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4. List ethical standards for your job

Prepare a list of ethical standards for workers in your occupation. List at least
five GENERAL ethical standards (applicable to any job), and at least five
ethical standards that apply specifically to YOUR job.

General Standards:

Your job title: _________________________________________

Your occupational ethical standards:

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MODULE 2: STANDARDS ADDRESSED IN THIS MODULE

Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards for Career Education and Work

13.1.11. Career Awareness and Planning

A. Analyze career options based on student interests, abilities,

aptitudes and accomplishments.

13.3.11. Career Retention (Keeping a Job)

A. Analyze work habits needed to advance within a career.

Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking

and Listening (RWSL)

1.1.11. Learning to Read Independently

E. Establish a reading vocabulary by identifying and correctly

using new words acquired through the study of their
relationships to other words. Use a dictionary or related
reference.

1.6.11 Speaking and Listening

A. Listen to others.
• Ask clarifying questions.
• Synthesize information, ideas and opinions to determine
relevancy.
• Take notes.

Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS)

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Self-Management: Assesses own knowledge, skills, and abilities accurately;

sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; self-starter.

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