What is work ethic?

Work ethic is a set of standards of behavior and beliefs regarding what is and isn’t acceptable to do at work. Work ethic can
be strong (good) or poor (bad), it depends on personal views of employees, their motivation, and overall company culture.

• A strong work ethic is an attitude an employee applies to their work that indicates a high level of passion for any
work they do.
• A bad work ethic is an attitude that an employee demonstrates that shows a lack of ambition and professionalism in
the workplace.

People with a strong work ethic often seem as though they have a competitive spirit, although their competitiveness is often
within themselves to achieve their goals within their occupation.

Those individuals with a strong work ethic often present themselves as ‘ideal employees’ because their drive for success
leads them to work to achieve one goal after another.

Work ethic can be nurtured, although it’s often a part of an individual’s character and overall outlook on life.

Why is work ethic important?

Although work ethic may seem to be a personal matter, it is crucial for human resources departments to understand what it
is and how it functions. A company's strong work ethic acts as a behavioral model for the proper way to operate. It
encourages and supports a successful workplace culture. Strong work-ethic individuals are highly motivated and frequently
outperform their counterparts in terms of accomplishing organizational objectives. They set the bar high and inspire others
to put in their all. Of course, everyone should support it and make it a part of the workplace culture. If not, a single person
with a good work ethic among a group of people with terrible work ethics will ultimately adopt the same outlook or will quit
the organization.

Strong and poor work ethic skills and traits

Next, we’ll go into a practical examination of work ethic. We’ll review some common examples of both good and bad work
ethic.

Strong work ethic skills you should develop

Hard work
Hard workers don’t give up when a task is difficult. These individuals show their work ethic in their persistence.

Dedication
Dedication means that an employee always sees their commitments through. They keep their deadlines and complete tasks to
the fullest.

Discipline
Workers that show discipline aren’t swayed by what they want to do. Instead, they continue doing what they should until it’s
complete.

Productivity
Individuals with a strong work ethic often have high productivity and keep themselves busy completing assignments and
meeting their goals.

Teamwork
Team players are individuals that demonstrate work ethic through teamwork. They know their company works when everyone
does their part, and they’re always willing to help a co-worker.

Integrity
Integrity is a strong indicator of a good work ethic. It guides individuals to make choices that are morally sound, and that
are ethically balanced.

Responsibility
Individuals with a strong work ethic are known to be responsible. Being consistent and reliable shows professionalism and
respect for their work.
Determination
Employees can show a strong work ethic by being determined to meet or exceed goals. Even if they’re not familiar with the
task, they will look for resources to help them successfully achieve their goals.

Professionalism
It can be difficult to do the best work on the hardest days; however, individuals with a strong work ethic persevere and
create high-quality work nonetheless.

Bad work ethic skills you should avoid

Procrastination
People with poor work ethic aren’t driven to complete tasks. As a result, they wait until the last minute to complete work and
often produce work of poor quality.

Negativity
Negativity affects others in the workplace and is a common trait of people with bad work ethic because they don’t value
professionalism.

Toxicity
Toxicity is a high indication of poor work ethic. These individuals aren’t concerned with creating a productive, welcoming
work environment and seek to minimize their peers.

Inefficiency
Employees with poor work ethic may demonstrate inefficiency. While they may complete their tasks, they do it in a way that
ultimately takes more time, and costs the company more money.

Irresponsibility
When you have an irresponsible employee, you can see a lack of work ethic in how seriously they take their duties in the
workplace. Irresponsible employees don’t place high importance on their commitments and responsibilities.

Passiveness
Passiveness can be a general personality characteristic, but it can also apply to attitudes in the workplace. This attitude
means that individuals don’t care either way what happens with their job- in other words, they also demonstrate apathy.

Untimeliness
People with a poor work ethic aren’t driven to go to work, nor are they driven to complete projects as part of their job.

Unprofessional behavior
Unprofessional behavior is a strong indicator of a lack of work ethic, as those employees that take pride in their jobs strive
to maintain a professional demeanor.

Work Immersion Rules and Regulations

1. Always be on time.
2. Always wear your prescribe uniform and school I.D.
3. Wearing of earrings for all boys is strictly prohibited.
4. Proper hair cut is required.
5. Using cellphone on-duty is strictly prohibited.
6. Wearing slippers and sandals are not allowed.
7. Maintain confidentially in all work immersion site.
8. Vandalism is strictly prohibited.

Violations of any of those rules are punishable.

Safety Protocols in Workplace

The following safety and health standards, aligned with the minimum public health standards set by the Department of
Health (DOH), shall apply to all employers and workers in the private sector:

A. Workplace Safety and Health

• Increase physical and mental resilience

o Emphasize to workers the everyday actions to stay healthy such as eat nutritious food, exercise
regularly, and have adequate rest;
o Enjoin companies to provide free medicines and vitamins; and
o Provide referral for workers needing counseling or presenting with mental health concerns.

• Reduce Transmission of COVID-19

Prior to entrance in buildings or workplaces Inside the workplace

9.All employees and workers shall: 12. All work areas and frequently handled objects
a. Wear face masks at all times except shall be cleaned and disinfected regularly, or at
when eating/drinking; least once every two (2) hours;
b. Accomplish daily health symptoms 13. All washrooms and toilets shall have clean water
questionnaire prior to entry; and soap;
c. Have their temperature checked and 14. Sanitizers shall be made available in areas where
recorded; and workers pass;
d. Spray alcohol/ sanitizer to both hands 15. Workers shall practice physical distancing at
and disinfect shoes, if practicable. minimum one (1) meter radius space (side, back
10. Equipment or vehicle entering hub operational and front) between workers;
area must go through a disinfection process; and 16. Eating in communal areas is discouraged. If eating
11. Roving officers should instill physical distancing in individual work area is not possible, employer
of one (1) meter in areas where there will be long shall ensure that physical distancing is
queue. maintained; and
For any personnel with temperature >37.5°C even after a 5- 17. Canteen and kitchens should be cleaned and
minute rest, or if the response to questionnaire needs disinfected regularly.
further evaluation, the person shall be isolated in the
designated area and not be allowed to enter the premises.
• Minimize contact rate
18. Alternative work arrangements such as working-hour shifts, work from home, where feasible and on rotation basis;
19. Prolonged face-to-face interaction between workers and with clients are discouraged and masks shall be worn at all
times and not removed;
20. Meetings needing physical presence shall be kept to a minimum number of participants and with short duration;
21. Office tables should be arranged to maintain proper physical distancing;
22. Workstation layout should be designed to allow to unidirectional movement in aisles, corridors or walkways;
23. Number of people inside an enclosed space and elevators shall be limited;
24. Use of stairs should be encouraged subject to physical distancing requirements;
25. Online system for clients shall be highly encouraged; and
26. Roving officers shall ensure physical distancing and observance of minimum health protocols.
• Reduce the risk of infection

In the event that a worker is suspected as having COVID- In the event that a worker is sick or has fever but is not
19 suspected to have COVID-19
• Worker shall immediately proceed to the • Stay at home and keep away from work or
designated isolation area and never remove crowds;
his/her mask; • Take adequate rest and take plenty of fluids
• Clinic personnel attending to the workers should • Practice personal hygiene to prevent spread of
wear appropriate personal protective equipment disease; and
 (PPEs) and if needed, should require transport of • Seek appropriate medical care if there is
the worker to the nearest hospital. Company persistent fever, difficulty of breathing.
protocols for transport and PCR testing should be
in place;
• Decontamination of workplace
• Workplace shall be decontaminated with
appropriate disinfectant (e.g. chlorine bleaching
solution and 1:100 phenol based disinfectant);
• Work can resume 24 hours after decontamination
of work area;
• Workers present in the work area with suspected
COVID-19 worker shall go on 14-day home
quarantine. If the suspected worker tested
negative, co-workers may be allowed to report
back to work.

B. Duties of Employers and Employees

Employers’ Duties Workers’ Duties

27. Provide necessary company policies for the 34. Comply with all workplace measures in place for
prevention and control of COVID-19 taken from the prevention and control of COVID-19 such as
DOH, WHO and reliable sources of information; frequent hand washing, wearing of masks,
28. Provide resources and materials needed to keep observing physical distancing;
the workers healthy and the workplace safe (e.g. 35. Observe proper respiratory etiquette;
masks, soap, sanitizer, disinfectant etc.); 36. Cough and sneeeze into tissue or into shirt sleeve
29. Designate safety officer to monitor COVID-19 if tissue is not available;
prevention and control measures; 37. Dispose used tissues properly; and
30. Enhance health insurance provision of workers; 38. Disinfect hands immediately through proper
31. Where feasible, provide shuttle services and/or washing with soap and water or alcohol-based
decent accommodation on near-site location to sanitizer immediately after a cough or sneeze.
lessen travel and people movement;
32. Enjoin the hiring from the local community; and
33. Put up a COVID-19 Hotline and Call Center for
employees to report if symptomatic, and daily
monitoring schemed of suspect employee
condition.
C. Workplace with Imminent Danger Situation

In workplace where workers are evidently at risk of infection (health-care and other frontline services), the employer shall
comply with DOH Memorandum No. 2020-0178: Interim Guidelines on Health Care Provider Networks during the COVID-19
Pandemic, and shall take extra precautionary measures which include strict hygiene and use of personal protective equipment.

D. Most At Risk Workers and Vulnerable Groups

Employers are highly encouraged to allow workers who are >60 years old, or, of any age with co-morbidities or pre-existing
illness (hypertension, diabetes, cancer or with immunocompromised health status, or with high-risk pregnancy) to do work
from home arrangement.

E. COVID-19 Testing

Employers may test workers for COVID-19. Testing kits used and procured shall be the responsibility of the employer.