Demonstrate Work Values LO1
Demonstrate Work Values LO1
Demonstrate Work Values LO1
This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the
following content coverage and topics: -
This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page.
Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to: -
Learning Activities
5. Submit your accomplished Self-check. This will form part of your training portfolio.
6. Ask your instructor for further explanation if you faced problems.
7. You can ask your teacher for a copy of the correct answers.
Definition of Work
Spiritual in Workplace
Happy, collaborative
Opportunities for personal growth
Characterized by « human » or « spiritual » qualities, such as honesty, trustworthiness,
truthfulness, respect, caring
Fosters rich personal relationships
Corporate culture - corporate soul?
The purpose of Work Program provides jobs for graduate students with financial need, allowing
them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service
work and work related to each student’s course of study.
Work Schedule
The college understands that your academic studies are top priority.
Let your supervisor know in advance of your academic schedule.
Provide enough notice when you need additional time away from your duties for studying
or taking tests.
Remember that your job duties are necessary to the department that hired you.
When you are at work, you are a representative of the college and are expected to present a
positive and professional appearance. Your dress and appearance should not be a distraction to
those with whom you work, and it should be within acceptable standards of health, safety, and
public contact set by your supervisor. Some departments or areas have dress and appearance
standards consistent with their functions. It is your responsibility to speak with your supervisor
regarding the dress code of your unit.
What to Remember
This appointment is jobs that can enhance your skills and make future employers
take notice of your experience.
Report to work on time. If you are going to be late or are sick, call prior to your
shift and speak with your supervisor.
Respect the office needs and customer service goals.
Take personal business outside of your working hours or while on break. This
includes phone calls, emails or internet surfing.
Be compliant with university and department guidelines for confidentiality of
department documents. You may be asked by your department to sign a
confidentiality statement.
Homework during working hours is not allowed.
Timesheets need to be submitted every other week to your supervisor. Check with
your supervisor for the exact time and day to submit your timesheets.
Self-Check 1 Written Test
Directions: Answer all the questions listed below carefully. Give brief explanation as much as
possible.
1. What is work? Give at least five basic definitions/logics related to the real environment.
(5 points)
2. What are the natures of human being? (3 points)
3. What is the effect of spiritual attitude in a work environment? (3 points)
4. What is Knowledge, skills, attitudes & values in relation to work? (5 points)
5. What is work ethics? (3 points)
6. What are the values of ethics in the workplace? (3 points)
7. Why we practice values in a workplace? (3 points)
8. What is the purpose of work for a human being? (3 points)
9. What it mean by good customer service? How it is related to work ethics? (5 points)
This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the
following content coverage and topics: -
Work values/ethics
This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page.
Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to: -
Learning Activities
5. Submit your accomplished Self-check. This will form part of your training portfolio.
Ethics are talked about frequently and addressed in the news when unethical decisions are found.
Sadly, people do not hear about ethics when others are engaging in ethical behavior on a daily
basis. Keep in mind that things that are not illegal may be unethical. Ethics are an individual
belief system that consists of knowing what is right and wrong. Ethics can vary person to person.
Ethics is in part analyzing decisions, beliefs, and actions.
Within the business context, businesses are expected to have good ethical values and act socially
responsible. The problem is that the ethics of a business is a mixture of individual sets of ethics.
This is why it is important to have good individuals as employees. It is also equally important
that when you go to work somewhere that you feel like you share the values of those you work
with. Ethics is not just talking about the right thing. It is doing what is right in every decision that
is made.
Then where do ethics come from? People begin to develop their internal beliefs from the time
they are small children. Factors such as the conditions that an individual grows up in affect the
way that they see the world. For example if a child was raised in a household with a lot of
violence, they might feel that fighting is okay. The beliefs of the peers around you may influence
how you see things. It is human nature to want to belong and some are more apt to give into peer
pressure. People have a lot in common with their peers due to similar values in the first place.
However, it is hard to find two people that feel exactly the same about every situation. Some
people would feel that if they found money that they should be able to stick it in their pocket and
keep it. Others would feel as if they should take it to the lost and found area. Keeping money that
you find on the ground in a public place is not illegal, but some people would not be able to
benefit from a situation while the person who lost it could be potentially found. Powerful
situational factors may cause people to compromise their values and resort to measures that they
would not normally take. If someone is having financial problems, then they are more likely to
steal. An individual that is very angry with another person may have a hard time being objective
and fair.
Then why do people engage in unethical behaviors? Many people feel that they won’t be caught.
An employee that steals a few dollars out of petty cash may eventually result to taking large
amounts of cash if they are never caught. Someone with lots of authority may feel like they can
cover their tracks by lying to subordinates. Some people are unethical because they can justify
what they are doing. If an employee sees other people not being punished for unethical behavior,
then they may feel like they should be able to do it to. Some individuals make a poor choice and
instead of coming clean about it feel the need to make more choices to cover it up. Once bad
decisions are made, they tend to get worse until they are eventually caught. The biggest reason
people are unethical is because they feel that they can gain from it, or that they need to hide
something that can hurt them.
There are many things that an organization can do to facilitate good ethical behaviors. One of the
best things to do is to make sure that the underlying culture of an organization promotes strong
values. People should not be punished for coming forward with problems. As a matter of fact,
workers should be allowed to communicate problems anonymously. Some organizations have a
phone number to call or a suggestion box. Always allow employees to share any ethical concerns
with authority above them when there are ambiguities about the right thing to do. Include a code
of ethics as a written document for employees to read. Develop brochures, mission statements,
and other media that express the company beliefs. Higher authorities within the organization
should possess the beliefs and demonstrate the values that they want to see their employees have.
Another method for implementing ethical conduct is to make sure that unethical conduct can’t
occur. The ability to safeguard resources is an important function of internal controls. Examples
of internal controls are to make sure that more than one employee works with cash and
accounting related materials. This way there is more than one person who knows what is going
on and can identify theft. Other methods are to require signatures, to lock up valuables, use
security cameras, have employees rotate jobs, and randomly check employee work. The more
secure your business is, the less likely that individuals within the organization will make
unethical decisions.
Objectives
significance of values
Structure
1 Introduction
2 Vision
3 Values
4 Values and Attitudes
5 Adherence to Core Values
6 Value Actualization
7 Globalization and Core Values
8 Work Ethics
9 Corporate Governance
10 Corporate Governance and Business Ethics
Work values/ethics/concepts
Commitment/ dedication
Sense of urgency
Sense of purpose
Love for work
High motivation
Orderliness
Reliability and dependability
Goal-oriented
Sense of responsibility
Being knowledgeable
Loyalty to work/company
Sensitivity to others
Compassion/caring attitude
Introduction
Values provide a framework for making choices between desirable and undesirable responses.
Values also refer to priorities that an individual assigns to multiplicity of goals. It thus provides
direction to and determines intensity of individual responses. Stronger the value system more
intense will be the action in pursuit of that value. In order for organization to achieve unity of
action amongst diverse employees it is imperative for them to articulate core values and seek
adherence to those values by individuals. The core values of an organization are derived from the
vision and expectations of strategic stakeholders.
As organizations struggle to survive in a highly uncertain and turbulent environment, they have
no option but to carve out a space for themselves in the global economic order. Organization
cannot longer afford to remain passive recipient of environmental forces; instead their sustain
growth will depend on becoming active agents in trans-forming the environment to make it
conducive to give expression to their ideas and intentions. It is these compulsions that have led
most organizations to develop vision and articulate a set of values providing focus to their
responses to the demands of internal and external stakeholders.
Vision
The vision statement serves as an anchor and provides unified direction and focus organization to
survive in an increasingly turbulent environment. An exciting, challenging and excellence
centered vision gives a sense of pride to the organization members as they are able to identify
themselves and work towards the attainment of the overall objectives of the organization.
Values
Values are derived from the basic assumptions held by a group of people about themselves,
others and the world. Rockeach (1973) defines values as "a specific mode of conduct or end-state
of existence is personally or socially preferable to an opposite or converse mode of conduct or
end-state of existence." Values provide a framework enabling individuals to prioritize their
actions, make a choice of options, determine preferred ways of responding and distinguishing
between desirable and undesirable response. Values thus affect all our decisions and actions and
have a self prophetic impact on our being. Given its significance, it is obvious that unity of
action amongst employees towards the common purposes of the organization cannot be achieved
unless they adhere to a common set of values.
Values operate at least at three levels: individual, socio-cultural and organizational levels.
Individuals belonging to the same socio-cultural milieu may differ in terms of their value system.
At individual level, value tends to differ in, term of their importance and intensity. Every
individual therefore develops a hierarchy of values.
Socio-cultural value systems are derived from the basic belief about the nature of society and its
relationship with environment. It has its historical roots in cultural traditions of the society and in
its triumphs and trials. Likewise organizations designed by people develop their own value
system arising primarily cut of compulsions to survive as a viable entity.
Values are expressed in terms of attitudes which in turn provide direction to one's responses. For
example, a Professor who believes strongly in the work ethic will tend to express attitudes
towards a student and methods of studies as a means of reflecting this value. It is not uncommon
to hear managers making statements such as "there is no substitute to hard work in this
organization. It is the hard work which has helped the organization achieves new heights
everyone is expected to follow this ethics.”
In pre-liberalization era, value system in organizations grew primarily out of the societal value
system making the organizations microcosms of larger society. In the current and emergent
scenario, organizations need to make deliberate choice with regard to developing value systems
which would enable them to gain and maintain competitive edge. Most organizations therefore
articulate core values such as quality, customer satisfaction, environmental protection,
employees’ development, human dignity and respect, technological development, social
responsibility, etc.
Core values that organizations seek to pursue may be at variance with the societal value system
as also the value profile of individual employees as organizations expand their activities across
rational and regional boundaries.
Most organizations articulate certain core values that must be adhered to by the employees.
Identification with these values by the employees is significant as it becomes a substitute for
sacrifices made by them by virtue of their membership in the organization. Employees learn to
accept these values and start believing that the organization will not do anything that would hurt
them. The personal costs of working long hours, meeting strict deadlines and the like are
overcome by adhering to higher human values such as serving the community or the society with
high quality products and services.
Value Actualization
Although organizations have been quick to realize the significance of value driven responses,
and have thus articulated their core values, adherence/internalization of those values on the part
of the employees still remains an illusion. Because of abstract nature of values, employees often
find it difficult to give concrete shape and translate the values in their day to day activity, divided
as they are along the lines of function, hierarchical levels, nature of product and services'. It is
advisable therefore within the overall framework of the corporate value system, every
department, every function and identifiable product or service group must develop operational
values relevant to the demands of their task and their respective contexts.
One of the challenges faced by organist ions functioning in the global economy is to maintain its
core values despite the differences in respective local cultures in areas of its operation. The
organization’s core values may not be congruent with the existing societal value system thereby
necessitating special drive in upholding its core values. For example, most multinationals
working in India will have service orientation as an important core value that they attach
importance to. However, in India due to the legacy of the bureaucratic regime and state
controlled economy, service orientation as a value is not attached the same importance as is
required in a globally competitive environment.
Work Ethics
Ethics influences most of the managerial decisions and internal and external activities of an
organization. While ethical behavior includes good, right, just, honorable, and praise-worthy
behavior, unethical behavior is behavior judged to be wrong, reprehensible, or failing to meet an
obligation. Work ethics is no longer confined to efficiency and productivity improvement but
encompasses a wide range of behavior associated with managerial roles in organizations. Work
ethics therefore has to be broadly seen in the context of organizational ethics. Organizations are
experiencing pressures both from the government and public to become transparent in their
dealings with and accountable to various stakeholders like the public, the government,
customers, and the employees. On the other hand, there is compulsion on the part of the
organizations to maintain high level of efficiency, productivity and competitive edge for their
sheer survival.
Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance is the need for transparency, social accountability and social
responsibility. Effective corporate governance requires a clear understanding of the respective
roles of the board and of senior management and their relationships with others in the corporate
structure. The relationship of management with stockholders should be characterized by candor,
their relationships with employees should be characterized by fairness, their relationship with the
communities in which they operate should be characterized by good citizenship and their
relationship with the government should be characterized by a commitment to compliance.
A good corporate governance structure is a working system for principled goal setting, effective
decision-making and appropriate monitoring of compliance and performance. Through such a
vibrant and responsive structure, the management can interact effectively and respond to
changing circumstance, within a framework of strong corporate values.
Corporate Governance is attracting the concern of investors and the public in general. There is a
need for transparency, social accountability and social responsibility. Organizations are required
to comply with legal requirements, ensure respect for people, communities and the environment.
An example of such an initiative is of an NGO called Parivartan who has decided to promote
openness in government. It empowers the citizens to access government files through incredibly
simple mechanisms of filling a form and submitting it to the department concerned.
Self-Check 2 Written Test
Directions: Answer all the questions listed below carefully. Give brief explanation as much as
possible.
1. Is social responsibility an example of ethical behavior? Yes □ No □ (1 point)
2. Do organizations need to have a clear statement of vision, and values? What purposes do
they serve? (2 points)
3. What do you understand by the term values? How do values shape the behavior and attitude
of an individual? (3 points)
4. The changed business scenario has necessitated a shift in the value orientations of individuals
and organization. Outline the various factors that demand such a shift. (2 points)
5. What steps should organizations take to internalize their core values? (3 points)
6. Collect instances of value conflicts and management of ethics in folk tales, mythology and
legends. Establish relevance of all or some of these in your current work setting. (3 points)
7. Bring out differences, if any, between work ethics and organizational ethics. Why is it
necessary for organizations to have a set of ethical standards? (3 points)
8. How does organizational ethics affect managerial decision making? Recall situations in
which you faced ethical dilemma in taking decisions? How did you resolve those dilemmas?
(3 points)
This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the
following content coverage and topics: -
Ethical problems
This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page.
Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to: -
Learning Activities
11. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to LO4. However, if your rating is
unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions or go back to Learning Activity #3.
12. Submit your accomplished Self-check. This will form part of your training portfolio.
13. Ask your instructor for further explanation if you faced problems.
14. You can ask your teacher for a copy of the correct answers.
The following are some of the ethical problems that have a negative impact on the value of work
activity.
Discriminatory practices
Violent
Gambling
Vandalism
Black mail
Sexual harassment
Falsification
Bribery
The first step is recognizing the problem and identifying the source of the conflict.
You also must keep all parties informed of your legal and ethical obligations.
Engage clients or involved parties in dialogue, and brainstorm the “best” course of action.
Make sure you are constantly keeping in mind the mission of the profession and
If you are still unclear about what to do, discuss the situation with your field instructor.
Protect the identity of the client if necessary, and present the situation as a “hypothetical”
case if you need external help.
Character Communication
Appearance Respect
Attitude
Productivity
Common Reasons Why Employees are fired
1. Being late or absent from work: Shows lack of responsibility hinder productivity
6. Not carrying your weight: not doing your part – relying on others to do your job for you
7. Dress Code: this can be a safety issue as well as a disregard for rules (Remember that you are
a representative of your company how you dress and act can reflect on the company)
8. Being troublemakers: stirring up dissent among others causing arguments and problems
17. Not getting along with others: co-workers, boss, and/or customers
18. Failing to follow rules and policies: not following instructions “Doing your own thing”
20. Making fun of, harassing, or discriminating against others: this could also land in court!
• NOTE: Other policy types could include public policies or institutional policies
(not covered here)
Procedures:
• Describe the “How” and are generally methods by which policies are
accomplished.
• Identify the people, places, processes, forms, and actions necessary to carry out
one or more policies or to support or influence other procedures
• NOTE: Procedures that address a single process such as how to complete a form
or cash a check are often referred to as “Desktop Instructions” or “Work
Instructions”
Directions: Answer all the questions listed below carefully. Give brief explanation as much as
possible.
1. Write at least five ethical problems that affect the value of work. (5 points)
2. How a person having ethical problem can solve his problem? (5 points)
3. Write at least five work ethics from the top ten. (5 points)
4. Write at least ten reasons for an employee to be fired from a company or an organization. (10
points)
5. What is your immediate action after you fired from an organization due to your ethical
problem? (5 points)
This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the
following content coverage and topics: -
This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page.
Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to: -
Learning Activities
19. Submit your accomplished Self-check. This will form part of your training portfolio.
20. Ask your instructor for further explanation if you faced problems.
21. You can ask your teacher for a copy of the correct answers.
Our behavior within the workplace can contribute positively to creating a productive and
harmonious environment in which company staff can be inspired and achieve their full potential.
However, when behavior is inappropriate or dysfunctional it can have serious consequences on
productivity, job satisfaction and on the physical and psychological well being of staff. The
company Code of Conduct sets out the behavior or conduct expected of all staff of the company
whether they are on company grounds or representing company elsewhere. All members of the
company community have a duty of care to each other and must comply at all times with the
Code. The company aims to prevent and minimize behavior which may adversely affect the
harmony of the workplace and/or cause harm or injury to others.
The Code of Conduct describes how staff of the company should treat other members of the
company community. In summary, the Code requires that staff model professional behavior and
standards of conduct and therefore behave:
Behavior or conduct which is not consistent with the Code is unacceptable and will not be
tolerated at the company. Staff, supervisors and managers have a responsibility to take action in
relation to unacceptable behavior.
Reports or complaints of unacceptable behavior will be taken seriously by the company and
handled in a confidential, impartial and fair manner, taking into account the principles of
procedural fairness. The company is obliged to take action when it becomes aware of
unacceptable behavior which may have an adverse affect on the well being of staff. Such action
may include disciplinary action under the relevant collective agreement.
Unacceptable workplace behavior is inconsistent with the behavior described in the Code of
Conduct. Differing social and cultural standards may mean that behavior that is acceptable to
some may be perceived as unacceptable or unreasonable to others. In determining whether
behavior is unacceptable or unreasonable, consider what a “reasonable person” would judge to
Prepared by: Date: Nov, 2011 Page _ of 8
Shegaw and Engdawork Author: Electrical/Electronics/Bio-Medical Department
be unacceptable or unreasonable having regards to the circumstances. The information below
provides further guidance on what is unacceptable workplace behavior in a company.
Behavior which would be considered unacceptable at a company includes (but is not limited to)
the following:
Aggressive or abusive behavior such as threatening gestures or actual violence or assault
Verbal abuse (for example, yelling, screaming, abusive or offensive language)
Being under the influence of illicit drugs or impaired by alcohol
Unsafe work practices or behavior which may harm the staff member or others
Bullying, harassment or intimidation
Stalking
Unwelcome physical contact including that of a sexual, intimate or threatening nature
Teasing, name calling or ridicule or making someone the brunt of pranks or practical
jokes
Withholding approval for or denial of requests maliciously, discriminatorily, unfairly or
without basis
Excluding or isolating individuals
Undermining performance, reputation or professionalism of others by deliberately
withholding information, resources or authorization or supplying incorrect information
Malicious or mischievous gossip or complaint
Abusive or harassing notes, emails, telephone calls, text messages, etc during or after
working hours
Belittling opinions or unreasonable and unconstructive criticism
Offensive gestures and behavior
Stealing or misuse of the company resources
Viewing inappropriate images or pornography in hard copy or electronically
Directions: Answer all the questions listed below carefully. Give brief explanation as much as
possible if needed.
6. Behavior in the workplace can create a productive and harmonious environment. (2 points)
A) True B) False
7. The Code of Conduct describes how staff of the company should treat other members of the
company community. (2 points)
A) False B) True
8. Write at least five model professional behaviors and standards of conduct in a workplace. (5
points)
9. Write at least four basic elements of the company code policies and instruments to create a
better work environment. (4 points)
10. Unacceptable workplace behavior is consistent with the behavior described in the Code of
Conduct. (2 point)
11. Write at least five examples of unacceptable workplace behavior or conduct that affects the
work place relation. (5 point)