Works Ethics, Essay Example

Appearance – Work ethics begins with appearance. Appearance implies the way an individual looks in the workplace, at school, or at home. Appearance is important, because it sets the stage for developing more or less productive business relations: put simply, people judge each other by appearance. Acceptable appearances vary, based on the career, occupation, and the workplace. Regardless of the profession, an ethical individual will follow the established norms and standards of appearance and pursue the principles of cleanliness and neatness at school, at work, and even at home.

Attitude is fairly regarded as one of the most important ethical principles in the workplace. How a person treats his (her) job, his (her) colleagues, and his (her) partners shows the degree, to which a person is ethical. An ethical professional will display positive attitudes toward the job and colleagues and position oneself as a self-confident individual (Applebaum 49). Ethical attitudes are associated with the reasonable amount of criticism, which individuals are willing to accept and analyze (Applebaum 50). Finally, ethical attitudes imply one’s ability to set realistic expectations and willingness to develop collaborative relations with colleagues, partners, classmates, and family members (Applebaum 50).

Productivity is an indispensable component of work ethics. Ethics and productivity are closely interrelated in the sense, that ethics helps individuals to apply their criteria of right and wrong in everything they do in the workplace. Improved productivity, in turn, reinforces the sense of ethics and motivates individuals to improve productivity without crossing the boundaries of ethical conduct. The current state of global business requires that professionals and organizations balance their productivity objectives with social responsibilities and ethical compliance, and individuals/ organizations can be considered productive only to the extent, which makes them ethical and socially responsible.

Organization is the central component and basis of work ethics. In work ethics, organization is both the source and target of ethical attitudes and reactions. How organizations treat ethics and promote ethical conduct will predetermine their chances to meet their strategic goals. Also, ethical conduct in organizations will support professionals in their striving to accomplish their workplace tasks. To be ethical, organizations must have a code of ethics and engage their employees in regular ethics training sessions. The latter will ensure that employees have a clear understanding of ethical conduct and can apply ethical principles in practice.

Communication is essential for work ethics. Effective communication enhances the ethical value of the organization and its employees. Communication helps to keep individuals informed about ethical principles at school, at work, and even in family matters. Communication helps to keep individuals and organizations abreast of any ethical challenges and issues in their individual and professional performance. Effective communication is a cost-effective instrument of promoting ethical compliance in various organizational environments.

Cooperation – Work ethics and cooperation are inseparable. Ethical cooperation in the workplace usually comprises four essential features: joint purpose and cognitive consideration, trust, and ethical consideration (Allwood, Traum & Jokinen 871). Cooperation is the reflection of one’s ethical attitudes toward their obligations. Cooperation enhances the value of ethical compliance and improves the knowledge of the basic ethical principles. Cooperation increases the ethical contribution which individuals can make to their and their organization’s performance.

Respect is one of the fundamental pillars of work ethics. To be ethical means to maintain the highest degree of respect toward ethical principles and the rule of law. To be ethical implies one’s ability to respect unconditionally colleagues, partners, supervisors, classmates, family members, the authority, and property. There is no way to communicate ethical challenges and discuss ethical problems better than firm respect and self-confidence. Respect is the attitude an individual must manifest, in order to be called “ethical”.

Works Cited

Allwood, J., Traum, D. & Jokinen, K. “Cooperation, Dialogue, and Ethics.” International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 53.6 (2000): 871-914.

Applebaum, H.A. The American Work Ethic and the Changing Work Force. Greenwood Publishing Group.