College of Professional Studies
Administrative and Technology Management
Work Ethics Program
What matters most to employers today? What are employers looking for in an employee? What gives one applicant the advantage over another? Implementation of the Georgia Work Ethics Program is the answer to these questions. No longer is a technical degree sufficient to obtain and maintain a good job; employees must also be aware of how his/her work ethics affect coworkers, clients/customers, and, ultimately, the success of the business. Employers have already realized this impact and are now demanding that employees come work-ready and not just trained.
"Work ethics have become the major focus of employers in Georgia. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that 80 percent of workers who lose their jobs do so not because of lack of occupational skills, but because of poor work ethics." (Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education) The goal of this program is to provide information to students about the importance of good work ethics and the steps to improve individual work ethics.
This program focuses on the ten work ethic traits employers consider important. The lessons and activities are designed to inform and illustrate the connection between an individual’s work ethics and their effects on a business.
- Attendance: arrives on time and gives advance notice of absence.
- Character: Displays loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, dependability, reliability, initiative, self-discipline, and self-responsibility.
- Teamwork: Respects the rights of others; is a team worker and is cooperative.
- Appearance: Displays appropriate dress, grooming, hygiene and etiquette.
- Attitude: Demonstrates a positive attitude.
- Productivity: Good work habits result in a good work product.
- Organizational Skills: Manifests skill in personal management, time management, prioritizing, flexibility, stress management and the ability to deal with change.
- Communication: Displays appropriate verbal and nonverbal skills.
- Cooperation: Displays leadership skills; maintains appropriate relationships with supervisors and peers.
- Respect: Deals appropriately with diversity and treats everyone with respect.
Although employers may seek employees with technical skills, they also realize the role of good work ethics in business. Surveys over the past decade overwhelmingly show employers’ desires to hire employees with good work ethics--realizing that skills can be taught, but good work ethics are something the employee must possess. Employees are reflections of the company, regardless of his/her position in the company. Having even the sharpest technical skills cannot compensate for the lost productivity caused by poor work ethics. Although technical skills are important in the performance of a job, they are not enough to meet the needs of employers today, who realize the cost of hiring, firing and replacing employees. Completion of the lessons and activities relating to the ten identified traits should prepare technical students for entry into the workplace, development of good work habits and a more satisfying career!