Ethical Business Practices

The work ethic is a cultural norm that advocates being personally accountable and responsible for the work that one does and is based on a belief that work has intrinsic value. The term is often applied to characteristics of people, both at work and at play. In sports, for example, work ethic is frequently mentioned as a characteristic of good players. Regardless of the context, work ethic is usually associated with people who

work hard and do a good job.

Steps Towards Better Work Ethics

1. Attendance - Attendance and punctuality often have a large impact on individual and team success. Tardiness or absenteeism can also profoundly impact job performance and retention.

How You Can Maintain Good Attendance:
•Make work a high priority
•Know your schedule
•Make use of an ALARM clock
•Get enough sleep
•Arrange your transportation
•Inform your supervisor of an absence

2. Character - An employer expects employees to work together toward achieving the objectives of the company. The wise employee who is interested in having a good relationship with an employer will try to help the employer achieve success. Thus employer expects employees to develop certain desirable traits that will help them to perform their  jobs well so that the company can succeed. Some of these traits include the following:

•  Loyalty
•  Honesty
•  Trustworthiness
•  Dependability
•  Reliability
•  Initiative
•  Self-discipline
•  Self-responsibility

3. Teamwork - It is vital that employees work as a team. It is important
not only to their personal success and advancement, but also to that of
their co-workers and to the company. Sometimes working as a team
takes place in a classroom setting. Teamwork doesn’t necessarily mean
helping your classmate. Teamwork in the classroom might be working.

Teamwork involves the following aspects:

• Respecting the rights of others
• Being a team worker
• Being cooperative
• Being assertive
• Displaying a customer service attitude
• Seeking opportunities for continuous learning
• Demonstrating mannerly behavior
• Respecting confidentiality

4. Appearance - A person makes their first impression of someone in

three seconds. If you appear unkempt and wrinkled, someone is going

to think that you do sloppy work. If you dress as a professional, your

first impression will be excellent.

5. Attitude - It is very important to demonstrate a positive attitude,

appear self confident, and have realistic expectations for self.

Developing and maintaining a positive attitude involves setting

realistic expectations for ourselves at school and at work. These goals

should be challenging, but obtainable.

6. Productivity- In order to be a productive student and employee, a

person must follow safety procedures, conserve materials, keep the

work area neat and clean and follow directions properly.

7. Organizational skills - Employers consider effective time
management and organizational skills as good work habits. To begin
managing wisely the time you spend at work, to prepare for
assignments at home, and to manage your life at home and work
simultaneously, you need to know and to put into practice some good
time management techniques.

Some Simple Techniques:|

• Believe - As you enter into your new work place
  believe that you are in control.
• Ask For Help - help comes in many forms so ask for it.
• Prioritize –whats most important?
• Set Timetables - list what you have achieved and what is
  still pending.
• Spend Time Wisely

8. Communication - Is how we interact with each other. Communication
whether it is verbal or nonverbal must be clear, to the point, empathetic, and one must keep in mind that we must always treat others as we would like others to treat us.

9. Cooperation- involves developing good working relationships, following the chain of command, good at conflict management, and being a good problem solver.

10. Respect – it cannot be emphasized enough that every working relationship from the top to the bottom of the chain of command is based on respect. Respect your subordinates as you do your superiors.