Work ethic: what does it consist of?

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Work ethics means that our jobs are defined by values and behaviors guided by respect, coexistence, a sense of justice, professionalism or humility.

Commitment, honesty, fairness, sense of justice… Work ethic is an attribute that all workers look for in their companies and that they also strive to assume themselves. They are a set of values that enrich work settings and turn them into respectful spaces where you can coexist and develop as a professional.

Philosophers such as André Gorz pointed out at the end of the last century that ethics at work is becoming less and less present. In this post-industrial society, he said, we have discovered that working more is not synonymous with producing more and that producing more does not make us happy. There is something wrong in this equation. The revolution of microchipsas he called it, is dehumanizing our jobs.

It is necessary to create more nutritious and respectful work scenarios. What’s more, when a set of basic behavioral standards and norms are stipulated and followed regarding what is and is not acceptable to do at work, the mental health and motivation of a company’s entire human team improves.

Let’s see what this interesting ethical dimension consists of.

Harassment, spreading gossip and rumors are clear examples of lack of work ethic

The pillars of work ethics

In a research work carried out at George Mason University in Virginia, United States, something important was already highlighted in 2002. Work ethic can improve the advancement of any economy. When these basic pillars that make it up are applied in a work scenario, well-being and economic efficiency are optimized.

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As the sociologist and economist Max Weber already pointed out, the instinctive desire to earn money is not in the nature of human beings. People want to earn money to live, and not live just to work. Thus, something that I pointed out is that modern capitalism drives us precisely to the latter: to have an existence dominated exclusively by work.

If we add to this that our work scenarios are increasingly stressful, unfair and precarious, we have the perfect ticking time bomb. Organizations without work ethics are ineffective, toxic, unproductive scenarios, incapable of managing talent and unhappy..

No company or organization has projection if it does not apply those pillars that define it. We analyze them.

The care

The first pillar of work ethics is respecting the interests and integrity of all components of an organization. This means that Both the company itself and the employees must keep in mind the needs and expectations of every person. what is in that context.

Likewise, it is important to know the potential and weaknesses of others to respect or strengthen the latter and optimize the former.

The reliability

Can you trust your coworkers and bosses? Are they figures who fulfill the functions of their position? Work ethics also require that all members meet their tasks, objectives and deadlines. Also that they are figures who, thanks to their work, contribute quality to each process, harmony to the group and support in the face of each challenge.

Dedication to the task and respect for others

A job will be carried out in the best way as long as a person is committed to his task and respects others so that they fulfill theirs. This concerns the entire organizational chart of a company, from the highest-level manager to a subordinate.

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In this way, factors such as workplace harassment or the irresponsibility of some of these figures completely undermine what we understand as work ethics.

When there is harmony, respect for every member of a company and each person takes maximum responsibility for their work, the results come.

Justice and integrity

Justice refers to the treatment we give to each person who has a relationship with a work environment. It means respecting the rights of workers, correctly serving clients, suppliers, investors and even cleaning staff. Every human being deserves dignified treatment and that their rights are respected; and something so basic cannot be missing at work.

Likewise, and with regard to integrity, it is decisive that there is always transparency, respect and honesty. It is a value that we all learn from our parents, that they teach us at school, and that we also apply to our jobs. Being honest is doing the right thing in every circumstance, being loyal, honest and disciplined.

Perseverance and commitment

Perseverance is more than just a personality trait. It is a psychological dimension that we must all develop to be successful in life. So, In a work setting it is key that its members have a persistent attitude, who know how to manage frustration to achieve goals.

The opposite of perseverance is passivity and this trait does not create harmony. If we have, for example, a co-worker or a passive leader, it is very difficult to commit or carry out our own work. The same thing happens with another factor of work ethic: commitment.

Only people committed to their team, their workers, their co-workers and their business project contribute to the advancement and well-being of that organization.

The professional attitude

Professionalism is an attitude that actually integrates all the dimensions mentioned above. It defines people who carry out their work with seriousness, efficiency, respect and expertise.

Cooperation: the art of knowing how to be a team

Cooperating is having skills to create a team, share, reach agreements, know how to disagree, understanding others, respecting differences, helping, empathizing… All these areas make up a beautiful mosaic of indisputable values that make up the most powerful organizations, those that we should all promote.

Only then would work be more dignified, satisfying and optimized not only to achieve objectives, but to contribute to human potential.