THERE is no need for a form of statistics to understand that an employer would choose a potential employee based on a stronger work ethical culture.

‘Work ethics are a set of moral principles an employee uses in his or her job.’ As soon as a youth finishes high school in Guyana, he/she is eligible to work. Many young persons like me, exited high school with little to no knowledge about the working world. Somehow, society expects us to transition from being a child in secondary school straight to a working adult without the necessary information on how we can be successful at the jobs we do.

The list of ethics that we need is endless. However, I narrowed my research down to the top five that I think would be most applicable in our society. Dependability and reliability is very important. Before you start, there is most likely a training or briefing about the job. After completing that, it is up to you to execute the tasks at hand. A dependable person is automatically a reliable person. Being reliable, in return your employer develops a sense of trust for you.

Not just communication, but effective communication is another important work ethic that we should consider. The way we communicate with others in our work environment can either make us or break us. Our body language, speech and tone of voice all have an effect on the relationship we have with our co-workers, clients and employers. It is very important to communicate with others to get your message across so that others can understand. You avoid conflict when you practise effective communication.

Respect can be defined as a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities and qualities of achievements. By you showing respect to your job, the company/organisation you work for, your co-workers and clients and employers, you strengthen your character. Respect increases productivity within your work environment.

Have you ever been to a public entity as a customer and one of the employees was rude to you? Or have you witnessed employees fighting amongst themselves in front of clients/customers? I know I have. The first thing that anyone will think of might be: it is a reflection of the company. Respect showcases professionalism.

You can show respect in your workplace by trying to understand other people’s perspectives and practising a non-judgmental attitude.

TEAM: TOGETHER, EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE.

Teamwork is of utmost importance when it comes to achieving goals. In a setting where many people work together, conflict is also avoided. ‘Many hands make work lighter’ is a quote I always heard as a little child. The more I got older, the more I understood it. Teamwork is sharing different ideas and working together to accomplish a common goal. A workplace where everyone feels comfortable to be diverse and unique will have the most cooperation towards teamwork among its employees. Teamwork should be encouraged by all employers. The school, church and even the family are proof that when people work together, great things can happen.

I saved the best for last; self- discipline. One can never be successful in the other four ethics I provided without a sense of self-discipline. Forty per cent of our behaviour is habit-driven. If you want to control those habits you aren’t too fond of, and also the way in which we conduct ourselves, we need a high level of discipline within us. A self-disciplined person controls what he/she does and says. It’s almost the same as thinking rationally.

It is safe to say the phrase self-control is synonymous to the phrase self-discipline. To be a reliable worker, an effective communicator, respectful individual and a team worker, one must first look at one’s self. We should also take the word self into consideration. Doing self-evaluation checks and looking for faults in our individual characteristics and personality traits and trying to improve on them can also help us in our work environment. Employers should also keep classes or trainings to upkeep and instill the code of work ethics that their employees should stand by. “No ethic is as ethical as the work ethic.”

Work ethics are things you have to develop on your own. They serve as a moral compass that guides you on your road towards success. The good thing about it is that you decide which direction your compass is pointed by the way in which we conduct ourselves and by the use of…

Yes, that’s right, work ethics!