CHARACTER

1. CHARACTER Diversified Career Preparation The Academy of Irving ISD 2005

2. Character • A person’s character is who they are • It tells what they are to are not capable of becoming www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

3. Desirable character traits Responsibility Loyalty Honesty Trustworthiness Dependability Reliability Initiative Self-discipline Instructors require evidence of character traits from their students Character Employers require evidence of character traits from their employees WORK SCHOOL www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

4. An instructor expects students to work along and together toward achieving success in the course The wise student should work with the instructor to achieve educational success Character An employer expects employees to work together toward achieving the objectives of the company The wise employee interested in having a good relationship with an employer helps employer achieve success WORK SCHOOL www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

5. Students to develop certain desirable traits that help them perform their work well so that the student succeeds academically Character An employer, in return for salary or wages and fringe benefits paid to employees, expects employees to develop certain desirable traits that help them perform their jobs well so that company succeeds WORK SCHOOL www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

6. Firm expects loyalty from employees Communicate with supervisor with any problem or complaint Solve internal problems internally Do not criticize goods or services outside company CharacterLoyalty “If you don’t like something about our company, tell me. If there is something you really like about us, please tell others.” www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

7. Employees are goodwill ambassadors for company Keep strategies within company Be proud of work company does and work you do for company If you cannot feel faithfulness and allegiance to company, seek another job CharacterLoyalty www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

8. Reputation for honesty important in developing a good relationship with employers and co-workers Honest employee extremely valuable to businesses – a big problem is dishonest employees CharacterHonesty “How does taking a couple of $1 pens home with me damage my company? A $7 stapler? $2 out of the petty cash fund for a coke and some crackers? A $5 tool? My company can afford these little things, can’t it?” www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

9. Supplies Theft Need honest employees: not steal anything from them, not even office supplies If you take these items — which is really stealing — you have taken around $14 from company Assume company has at least 30 other employees and each pilfered same A loss of $420 occurs. If this thievery goes on every week, company loses equivalent of one employee’s salary CharacterHonesty www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

10. Time Theft If scheduled to work 8 hours a day with two 15-minute breaks and a 1-hour lunch break, need to work 8 hours a day … many people don’t stay on task, arrive late to work, and take extra breaks during day Eating on the job Extend break or lunch times or spend too much time socializing with co-workers or personal callers Take company’s money to sit around while company pays them to work … Stay on task! CharacterHonesty www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

11. Phone Abuse, etc. Personal long distance calls on company phone actually steals money from company Charge these calls to home telephone The more money you lose for your company, the more money you will lose You might not only lose money but also lose your job completely! CharacterHonesty www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

12. Truth Tell the truth in all work matters Never lie on job application, timesheets, or expense statements Never cheat a customer, another employee, or employer in any way Tell employer and others the truth when questioned As an honest employee, be on way to acceptability and good human relations in any business CharacterHonesty www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

13. When employer trusts an employee, means that employer can ask employee to do something beyond the call of duty and expect employee to accomplish it Closing up business at end of day Supervising others Handling company money or keeping a tool room or supply room requires trust Complete a task like these earns employer’s trust CharacterTrustworthiness www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

14. Related to trustworthiness Agree to carry out a task under agreed-upon procedures Handling positions and situations of responsibility are observed Doing a job well and completing on time builds reputation for being dependable and reliable Valuable to any employer CharacterDependability & Reliability www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

15. Willing to take the first step in seeing that work gets done Motivated to do well and enthusiastic about job Industrious – hard worker – diligent about completing responsibilities CharacterInitiative Suppose that you have caught up on your work for a short time. Rather than sit and wait for someone to tell you what to do next, take the initiative to find another task: take inventory of tools, reorganize the supply cabinet, clean, and so on. www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

16. Sees job or task that needs to be done and does it without being asked … going beyond call of duty Although hired for specific type of work or job, situations arise in most companies that require helping out beyond immediate responsibility Employees become ill or have family emergencies that require absence, but work still has to be done Co-worker has an unforeseen overload and really needs a hand to get a project completed CharacterInitiative www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

17. Willingness to pitch in and help out displays initiative Overall attitude of helpfulness makes the company run more smoothly and improves the work situation CharacterInitiative www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

18. Decide to do things because they are profitable and best choice among the alternatives available to help toward goals Accept responsibility for self when motivated to accomplish goals Being self-disciplined is a part of accepting responsibility for own actions Structure time to cultivate and use talents and abilities for betterment of company and self Character Self-Discipline & Responsibility www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

19. Learn to handle emotions Emotional, childish outbursts and unreasonable displays of anger cause others to question maturity Avoid irrational assumption that you have to express all your feelings Control of feelings Anger and irritation can be changed without compromising integrity. Character Self-Discipline & Responsibility www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

20. What is Character? • Maintains honesty • Is trustworthy • Is dependable • Is reliable • Initiates project/works without being told “what” to do • Self-disciplined IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

21. Loyalty • Go to appropriate personnel with problems or concerns • Remember that you ALWAYS represent your company/business • You have a sense of pride • You are able to keep company “secrets” IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

22. Honesty • Being honest makes you valuable • You do not take supplies that you do not need for work • You take appropriate amounts of time for lunch and breaks • You come to work on time and leave on time IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

23. Trustworthiness • You will go beyond the “call of duty” if asked to • You successfully complete your work tasks • You Work while at work IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

24. Dependability and Reliability • Carry out tasks under the agreed upon procedures • You are able to handle a position of responsibility • You make sure that your job is done well and in a timely manner IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

25. Initiative • You are willing to take the first step • You are motivated to take on new tasks • You “help out” when needed IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

26. Self-Discipline andResponsibility • You make appropriate choices • You accept responsibility for your own actions • You structure your time wisely • You use all of your talents and abilities to complete a task IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

27. Top Eight Behaviors That Cause On-the-Job Difficulties • Dishonesty and lying • Irresponsibility, goofing off, and attending to personal business on company time • Arrogance, ego problem, and excessive aggressiveness • Absenteeism and lateness IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

28. Top Eight Behaviors That Cause On-the-Job Difficulties • Not following instructions or ignoring company policies • Whining or complaining about the company or the job • Absence of commitment, concern, or dedication • Laziness and lack of motivation and enthusiasm IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

29. Watch your thoughts …they become word. IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

30. Watch your words …they become actions. IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

31. Watch your actions …they become habits. IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

32. Watch your habits …they become character. IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

33. Watch your character …it becomes your destiny.--Frank Outlaw IN SUMMARY www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

34. CHARACTER: Traits Discussion • Explain the importance of a proper job attitude. • List some advantages of accepting and handling responsibility. • Why is patience an important character trait for a worker? • How does enthusiasm help one advance on the job? • Just how far should an employee go with loyalty? Are there boundaries? • How can a failure to contain your emotions harm your advancement prospects? • What does trustworthiness mean to you? • How does initiative affect your school behaviors? Your work behaviors? • What are some examples of dishonest behaviors on the job? • What does self-responsibility entail? www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline

35. CHARACTER Diversified Career Preparation www.gvtc.org/workethicsonline