Workplace
Skills
Work Ethic
Lesson 1
What is Work Ethic?
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Your definition of what work ethic is?
 Who are examples to you of good work ethic?
 Where do most people learn work ethic?
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Evaluate your skills
 Do you currently have good work ethic?
 What needs to be improved?
 Would an employer think you have good work
ethic?
Work Ethics Defined
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A set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work
and diligence.
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a belief in the moral benefit and importance of work and
its inherent ability to strengthen character.
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the principle that hard work is intrinsically virtuous or
worthy of reward.
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a belief in work as a moral good
Work Ethics Wisdom of Will Smith…
Student Work Ethics
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Students will be evaluated by:
 Site supervisor
 Parent/guardian
 Self evaluation
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Pre-Evaluation of School and Work Ethics
 Internship coordinator will review
 Starting point for you to improve your skills
5 Factors of Strong Work Ethics
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Integrity
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Integrity stretches to all aspects of an employee’s job, An
employee with integrity fosters trusting relationships with
clients, coworkers and supervisors. Coworkers value
employee's ability to give honest feedback. Clients trust the
employee's advice. Supervisors rely on the employee's high
moral standards, trusting him not to steal from the company or
create problems.
Sense of Responsibility
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A strong sense of responsibility affects how an employee
works and the amount of work she does. When the employee
feels personally responsible for her job performance, she
shows up on time, puts in her best effort and completes
projects to the best of her ability
Strong Work Ethics cont.
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Emphasis on Quality
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Some employees do only the bare minimum, just enough to
keep their job intact. Employees with a strong work ethic care
about the quality of their work. They do their best to produce
great work, not merely churn out what is needed. The
employee's commitment to quality improves the company's
overall quality.
Discipline
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It takes a certain level of commitment to finish your tasks
every day. An employee with good discipline stays focused on
his goals and is determined to complete his assignments. These
employees show a high level of dedication to the company,
always ensuring they do their part.
Strong Work Ethics cont.
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Sense of Teamwork
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Most employees have to work together to meet a company's
objectives. An employee with a high sense of teamwork helps a
team meet its goals and deliver quality work. These employees
respect their peers and help where they can, making
collaborations go smoother.
Resource
5 Factors That Demonstrate a Strong Work Ethic
by Amelia Jenkins, Demand Media
© Copyright 2013 Hearst Communications, Inc
Work Ethic Pre-Evaluation
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Attendance
Punctuality
Enthusiasm
Honesty
Appearance
Friendliness
Stays on task
Cooperation
Taking initiative
Journal Entry
 Describe
your best quality from the
Work Ethic Evaluation sheet and why you
gave yourself a high rating in that
category. Then, describe your worst
quality and something you can do to
improve upon it.
Attitude
Lesson 2
Attitude Counts
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Attitude is the way we think, feel, and how we
do things. In the world of work, employers not
only look at your ability to apply your technical
skills & knowledge effectively on the job, they
also look at your attitude at work. Many times
your values help to determine your attitude
toward work.
Positive Work Attitude
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Is looking adversity in the eye… and laughing.
Enjoying the unexpected, even when it’s not what you
wanted originally.
Motivating those around you with a positive word.
Using the power of a smile to reverse the tone of a
situation.
Being friendly to those you don’t know.
It’s getting back up when you fall down. (No matter how
many times you fall down.)
Being a source of energy that lifts those around you.
Positive Work Attitude
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Being happy for someone else’s success.
Having a positive future vision, no matter how bad your
current circumstances.
Smiling.
Being a team player
Telling someone that they did a great job. (And mean it.)
Making someone’s day.
Not letting other people’s negativity bring you down.
Giving more than you expect to get in return.
Being true to yourself… always.
Negative Attitudes to Avoid!
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Making excuses for not completing work
Poor time management
 Missing deadlines
 Always late
Not treating your supervisors with respect
Bad mouthing a job or coworker/gossiping
Being Pessimistic
Not caring
Negative attitudes are like fire at work, they spread quickly.
Most employers do not want to deal with individuals who have
negative attitudes.
Pride
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Pride can also be thought of as “self-dignity”.
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Pride prevents you from doing just enough to get by.
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If you know everything you do at work or school has
your name and signature on it, then you will give it your
best shot and nothing less.
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Be proud of who you are and what you can do! Be
proud of your accomplishments.
Passion
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A simple plain “interest” in any work or career you
choose isn’t enough
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An intense enthusiasm for all things worth doing will pull
you through the challenges of work
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You want work to not feel like work because you love
doing what you do!
Belief
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In order to generate passion, it is important to believe.
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You have to take personal responsibility for your success,
believe that anything is possible, and have the ability to
learn from your mistakes and move on.
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Know that you can achieve all that you set out to do for
yourself.
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Believe in your own capabilities!
What kind of attitude do you have?
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Did you come today with “just another day” attitude? Or,
are you bursting with enthusiasm and positive energy?
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How do you think your attitude impacts your day at
school?
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“We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact
that people will act in a certain way. The only thing we can
do is change our attitude. Life is 10% what happens to
you and 90% how you react to it. “~Charles Swindoll
Dr. Viktor Frankl
Which One Are You?
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There are (3) types of people with (3) different
attitudes in this world:
 Spectators- watchers, play it safe, rely on others,
don’t take control
 Critics- sideliners, find fault, avoid change,
pessimistic
 PLAYERS- learn new things, take risks, confident, see
the “good”
Which One Are You?
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Positive attitudes-PLAYER
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Negative attitudes-Critic
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Lead to better jobs, achievement of goals, happiness
Cause failure, loss of jobs, relationship problems
Neutral attitudes-Spectator
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Missed opportunities, failure to develop new skills, life passing
you by
~Let’s take an ATTITUDE survey!~
Professionalism
Lesson 3
Professional
A person who is an expert at his or her work.
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Professionalism
A specific style of behavior in the workplace.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
Images and other multimedia content used with permission .
Code of Conduct
A set of conventional principles
and expectations that are
considered binding on any
person who is a member of a
particular group.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights
reserved. Images and other multimedia content
used
Employee Expectations
What is expected of the employee to get the job done.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights
reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with
Unprofessionalism
Not conforming to the standards of a
profession; contrary to the accepted
code of conduct of a profession.
Dress
Language
Behaviors
Work ethic
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All
rights reserved. Images and other multimedia
Characteristics of a Professional
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Honest
Skilled
Courteous
Reliable
Considerate
Dependable
Cooperative
Committed
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All
rights reserved. Images and other multimedia
Professionalism is judged by:
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Unwritten rules
Code of conduct
Culture
Expectations and standards
One’s personal values
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reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with
permission.
How Are You Judged As A Professional?
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Your Communication
Your Image
Your Competence
Your Demeanor
Your Appearance
Your Behavior
Your Attitude
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights
reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with
permission.
Unprofessional Behavior
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Conduct that could be characterized as harassment or discrimination.
Verbal threats of violence,
retribution, or lawsuits.
Verbal outbursts.
Inappropriate physical touching
or contact.
Arguing in front of clients and families.
Physical actions that threaten others
such as throwing or knocking down
objects.
Insults, verbal comments, or criticism intended to belittle or berate
others.
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights
reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with
Professional Skills
Professionalism Activity
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Pick a partner, move to a seat next to them
Based on the example you are given:
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Decide who will act out which part
Determine what each of your roles should look like to provide
the best idea of what you are acting out to other classmates
Discuss whether you think it is a professional characteristic or
an unprofessional characteristic
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Be ready to discuss this aspect with your classmates
Be ready to give it your best effort! Remember: attitude is
important