Work Ethics Program
| PURPOSE |
| WORK ETHICS |
| RESULTS |
| POLICIES/PROCEDURES |
| STUDENT EXPECTATIONS |
| WORDS OF WISDOM |
| WORK ETHICS LINKS |
Griffin Technical College's primary mission as a technical college is to instruct students in the competencies which qualify them for employment and/or advancement in existing or potential technical fields It is this College's vision that completers of Griffin Technical College's programs will be recognized as being the most competent employees in the workplace. The businesses and industries in our service area will be more productive and globally competitive as a result of our helping them to access information and apply technologies. This can best be accomplished by providing these employers with the most well-rounded graduates we can give them.
In addition to the workplace competencies that potential employers most readily identify as necessary, such as resource management, information systems, and technology, there are interpersonal competencies and personal qualities that are deemed to be equally as important. Among these are the ability to work well with others, self-esteem, sociability, integrity, honesty, self-management, and responsibility. The Work Ethics program at Griffin Technical College is designed to instill in students these characteristics, as well as others, and to help students develop these skills to a marketable level.
All Griffin Technical College students are given a Work Ethics grade for each class each quarter. This grade is not calculated in the GPA, but it is a part of the student's official transcript. It is, therefore, very important that every student is made aware of the significance of this grade as potential employers may request a transcript from the student before hiring the student.
Today's workforce is a demanding place and requires its workers to demonstrate a high degree of knowledge, skill, and positive attitude in order to be responsible and productive employees. Griffin Technical College is dedicated to providing the student with the quality of institution that is expected and deserved but also to helping the student develop the interpersonal skills needed to excel in today's workplace.
Griffin Technical College promotes employability skills in its students through participation in the Work Ethics Program, as described fully in the DTAE Work Ethics Manual.
Business and industry leaders have identified essential work ethics that should be taught and practiced in order to develop a viable and effective workforce. The ten work ethics traits identified are stated below.
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Attendance: Attends class, arrives/leaves on time; notifies instructor in advance of planned absences; and makes up assignments punctuality.
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Character: Displays loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, dependability, initiative, self-discipline, and self-responsibility.
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Teamwork: Respects rights of others; is a team worker, is cooperative; is assertive; displays a customer service attitude; seeks opportunities for continuous learning; and displays mannerly behavior.
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Appearance: Displays appropriate dressed, grooming, hygiene, and etiquette.
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Attitude: Demonstrates a positive attitude; appears self-confident; and has realistic expectations of self.
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Productivity: Follows safety practices; conserves materials; keeps work area neat and clean; and follows directions/procedures.
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Organizational Skills: Manifests skill in personal management, time management, prioritizing, flexibility, stress management, and dealing with change.
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Communication: Displays appropriate nonverbal and verbal skills.
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Cooperation: Displays leadership skills; appropriately handles criticism and complaints; demonstrates problem-solving capability; maintains appropriate relationships with supervisors and peers; and follows chain of command.
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Respect: Deals appropriately with cultural/racial diversity and does not engage in harassment of any kind.
RESULTS OF THE WORK ETHICS PROGRAM
Three primary results of the Work Ethics Program make it a winning proposition for all concerned. These results are as follows:
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Students begin employment with positive work ethics skills which will enhance their value as employees.
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Instructors develop more motivated and attentive students.
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Employers acquire employees with desirable work habits.
WORK ETHICS PROGRAM PROCEDURES
Griffin Technical College's Work Ethics Program involves the following procedures:
Instructors are briefed on how the program works, and the interconnectedness of the four major components is explained. The four components to be discussed include the following:
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The general student orientation.
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Weekly instructional module presentations.
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Grading by exception.
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Reporting of students' progress.
Each instructor has access to a copy of the DTAE Work Ethics Manual and refers to it as necessary for a detailed explanation of each component of the system.
Explanations of general orientation to students. Instructors are informed that there is a general briefing that is held to acquaint students with the DTAE Work Ethics Program. The briefing that is held to acquaint students with the DTAE Work Ethics Program. The briefing is conducted by GTC instructors and specifically outlines the reason for the program, its objectives, and the methods used for evaluation and reporting. A video orientation is utilized for briefing students who miss the general session. Instructors must ensure that all students either attend the general session or view the video.
Explanation of weekly instructional emphasis. Good traits are best fostered through continuous reinforcement. Therefore, during the quarter, one desirable trait is selected for emphasis each week. Weekly mini-lessons lasting at least five minutes are used to discuss the trait and explain its importance. Instructors will conduct these sessions according to the guidelines presented in the Weekly Instructional Module section of the DTAE Manual.
Explanation of daily grading by exception. The evaluation process is based on the principle of daily grading by exception. Each student begins the quarter with a grade of "Meets Expectations," and instructions are required to record change only for those students who display poor work ethics or those who display exceptionally good work ethics on a given day. An exception form is processed for these students. Full explanation of this process may be found in the Evaluation Section of the DTAE manual.
Explanation of mid- and end-quarter report procedures for students with exceptions. During the fifth week of the quarter, each student with exceptions is given a copy of the Work Ethics Evaluation Exception Form that displays his/her current work ethics standing.
Administrative monitoring. Instructional supervisors make frequent checks on instructo4r records to ensure proper implementation. The supervisor should check to see that Exception Forms are being properly used and that weekly instructional mini-lessons are delivered.
WORK ETHICS EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS
As a student you are expected to:
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Attend each scheduled class period and be in class on time.
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Complete assignments on time.
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Prepare for class by reading assignments, completing homework, and bringing to class all necessary supplies and/or equipment. Evidence of this will be class participation, instructor observations, lab assignments, and testing and evaluation.
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Demonstrate proper use of time by beginning and ending work as expected, observe policies on break and lunch periods, and use work time appropriately.
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Encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity and foster commitments and team spirit.
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Display an high level of effort and commitment to performing work, operate effectively within the defined structure, and demonstrate trustworthiness and responsible behavior.
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Participate in activities by contributing to class discussions, completing assignments, and being involved in lab activities.
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Observe established policies on safety and notify proper authorities of circumstances or situations that present potential safety hazards.
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Use all equipment and tools in a safe and proper manner. do not use or knowingly permit others to use tools and equipment improperly.
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Present a neat, clean appearance, dress appropriately, practice personal hygiene, and wear clothing suitable to the job task and environment based on customers served.
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Communicate accurate information to others in a professional and courteous manner, convey a willingness to assist, work to resolve conflicts and to identify solutions in which all parties benefit, and demonstrate concerns for treating people fairly and equitably.
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Display a willingness to cooperate and accept constructive feedback. Treat your instructor and classmates with respect, courtesy, and tact.
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together." - Vista M. Kelly
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." -- Teddy Roosevelt
"Character, not circumstances, make the man." -- Booker T. Washington
"Genius is the ability to put into effect what is in your mind." -- F. Scott Fitzgerald
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." -- Thomas Edison
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else." -- Judy Garland
"It is amazed what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the CREDIT." -- Harry S. Truman