student work ethic examples

52 Work Ethic Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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A person who has a strong work ethic is someone who is a diligent, self-disciplined, and virtuous worker. They try their hardest at work to do their best work as productively and ethically as possible.

Employers value people with work ethic because they will be trustworthy and reliable employees. Therefore, in interviews and job applications, you are often asked to describe a time when you demonstrated strong work ethic.

Examples of work ethic include always turning up for work on time, consistently working hard while on the clock, and aiming to produce the best quality work you can within the shortest timeframe.

Good Work Ethic Examples

• Turning up early for work so you can start as soon as your shift begins.
• Working late to get the job done.
• Not stopping until your task list for the day is complete.
• Working hard even when you’re unmotivated.
• Waking up with a desire to be productive for the day.
• Looking for more tasks to do once your assigned tasks are completed.
• Having the initiative to find more work to do even if you haven’t been assigned that work.
• Always looking for new ways to increase productivity at work.
• Suggesting new and innovative ways to improve the workplace.
• Organizing groups when working in teams rather than waiting for someone else to take the lead.
• Putting your hand up to do extra roles within the team at work in order to demonstrate your abilities and value to the workplace.
• Having a competitive spirit where you will work hard to make sure that you’re number one.
• Being a university student who will put in long hours studying in order to submit an assignment on time.
• Being the university student who doesn’t just study in the last few weeks before an exam, but who studies every single week of school in order to make sure you succeed.
• Working extra hard in order to show your boss that you deserve a pay rise or promotion.
• Getting a promotion out of recognition that you are the hardest worker in the team.
• Turning up on the weekend for a shift because the workplace suddenly got busy and needed a back-up on short notice.
• Finishing your projects 2 weeks before deadline because you work so hard.
• Deciding to continue working hard even if your colleagues are slacking off.
• Making sure you’re back from your lunch break and ready to start work on time, every time.
• Setting personal productivity goals at work and trying to beat them each week.
• Having the self-discipline to not check your phone at work because you want to keep busy.
• Turning up early to meetings to make sure you definitely don’t miss any of the first few minutes.
• Being the sort of person who has to do physical labor in their workplace every day in order to feel healthy and fit.
• Following-up on emails with your boss if she forgets because you’re on top of the work and want to make sure it gets done.
• Taking pride in your work and making sure it’s the best it can possibly be every single time.
• Adhering to workplace standards of behavior at all times, especially when others are encouraging you not to.
• Maintaining professionalism at work all the time, including when interacting with colleagues and clients.
• Conducting regular self-assessments then testing to see if you can outdo that self-assessment the next week.
• Setting medium-term goals for yourself and trying to reach them for your own personal interest.
• Keeping an inquisitive mindset at work and always looking to learn better ways of doing things from colleagues.
• Choosing not to say anything negative at work or in the locker room in order to maintain a professional workplace culture.
• Dressing professionally at work in order to maintain the respectful image of the workplace.
• Being passionate about what you do and giving it your best.
• Regularly asking your boss to assess your performance and give feedback in order to identify new ways to work better.
• Putting as much effort into a task that is less enjoyable than the amount of effort you put into tasks that you love doing at work.
• Keeping a positive outlook at work and ensuring your colleagues know you’re attentive and open for collaboration.
• Approaching customers and asking them if they need help rather than sitting back and waiting for customers to approach you.
• Making up for lost time if you turned up late.

Poor Work Ethic Examples

• Turning up late to work regularly.
• Taking extra long lunch breaks.
• Doing the minimum possible work then standing around and talking for the rest of the day.
• Trying to avoid the boss in order to avoid them asking you questions about how your work is going.
• Leaving tasks to the last minute before completing them.
• Never studying for exams.
• Always being the person asking your professor for an extension on your papers.
• Making unconstructive comments about your boss and colleagues at work.
• Avoiding responsibilities and instead trying to get other colleagues to pick up that work.
• Calling in sick to work when you’re not actually sick.
• Taking credit for work that another colleague did.
• Trying to find ways to get around the rules at work.
• Choosing not to contribute ideas during a brainstorming session because you find the work boring. 

How to Demonstrate Work Ethic in a Job Interview

1. talk about when you went above and beyond at work.

People with high work ethic tend to go above and beyond in the workplace. This is because they turn up to work with the determination to do their personal best every single time.

You could go above and beyond when submitting a project that does more than the basic outline asked for, or when you spent extra time on a task to make sure it was perfect.

Here’s an example of what you could say:

“One example of how I demonstrated work ethic was when my team was preparing a conference weekend for our workplace. We could have simply booked the most well-known caterers in town, but instead, I went to each catering company and asked them to demonstrate why I should choose them. Thanks to this extra effort, we got a 25% discount on our catering services and the food was delicious!”

2. Talk About How you Test Yourself at Work

One of the best ways to show work ethic is to talk about how you test yourself and try to set personal bests. This might be by literally timing your speed on tasks or by using more subjective measures like asking your boss to set you some goals that you can try to meet.

Here’s an example:

“To me, work ethic is about doing your absolute personal best every day. I get to work and challenge myself to meet my personal best every day. I love to try to squeeze out 1% more effort from myself by testing myself against my previous time to complete a task.”

Of course, this quote misses one important point: quality! Don’t forget to let your potential employer know that your idea of work ethic includes a focus on both productivity and quality.

3. Express your Aspiration for Career Advancement

Often, employers and HR departments associate aspiration with work ethic. People who are aspirational in their career will come to work hoping to impress their boss.

Aspirtaitonal people will want to do well at work and stand out in order to be positioned as the best employee. This, in turn, should help them achieve career advancement.

So, in your job application, you could write:

“I am applying for this job because it helps to fulfill my desire to work within an organization with career advancement opportunities. The size of the company means I will always have internal advancement opportunities that help me meet my career goals while adding extra value to the company. I intend to come to work every day looking for ways to excel in my job with the goal of positioning myself well for future internal job opportunities.”

Notice here how the phrase ‘work ethic’ wasn’t used once? Nevertheless, through the vignette, it was obvious that the applicant is going to come to work with something to prove to themselves and the company. They’re not going to settle with mediocrity.

Work ethic is one of the most desirable workplace skills you can have. It’s a skill that transcends all job roles and titles, and is perhaps the single most important skill for someone looking for career advancement.

If you can use these work ethic examples to demonstrate to a hiring manager that you have excellent work ethic, you can situate yourself in the best position possible to get that job you want. But once you’ve got the job, you need to demonstrate that you weren’t making things up. Proving your work ethic on the job is up to you!

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Number Games for Kids (Free and Easy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Word Games for Kids (Free and Easy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Outdoor Games for Kids
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 50 Incentives to Give to Students

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Importance of Good Work Ethic in School and Life

Your good work ethic tells future employers what they might expect from you on the job. But did you know it can also set you up for success? A good work ethic can be the determining factor in just how well you’ll do in school –and in life.

What Are Work Ethics?

Work ethic is a set of values based on discipline and hard work. It affects how you handle your responsibilities and how seriously you take your work. With a good work ethic, you’re motivated and ready to be professional at school and then in the workplace .

Here are five characteristics of a good work ethic and just why they’re so important to you and your future:

5 Characteristics of a Good Work Ethic

• Attendance and punctuality: Whether in school or work, you learn and accomplish most when you show up, on time and prepared. You can’t learn if you’re not there! And when you come late, it’s unlikely that you’re really ready to do your best work. Good attendance and punctuality are two important pieces of a good work ethic –and they’re easily addressed and accomplished.
• Goal setting: Before you can accomplish your goals, you need to know what they are. People with good work ethics are goal-oriented and dedicated to achieving the success they envision. They understand that there are many steps to success and they’re willing to take them all.
• Hard work: At the foundation of a good work ethic is a whole lot of hard work. In school, it may mean staying after for extra help from your instructor or fine-tuning your assignments to reach perfection. At work, you may want to come in a little early or stay late so you do the best job you can.
• Positive attitude: Your positive attitude can set you apart from your peers –and it can be infectious, spilling over to other employees and making you welcome on any work project. Approaching every task—big and small—with a good attitude shows that you’re a team player dedicated to not just your own success, but also to the success of your company.
• Accomplishment: The more you accomplish, the more likely you will be the person chosen for further advancement. Your good work ethic is likely to be recognized, acknowledged and rewarded and can serve as a building block to your future success.

At Porter and Chester Institute, we understand that your career training isn’t just about what you learn in our labs. That’s why we also emphasize the importance of real-world skills that will help you succeed in your career and in your life.

Explore our career training programs to find out which is right for you. We’ll give you everything you need to develop and further your good work ethic in the workplace.

Identify goals, personal strengths and important facts about your potential career path so you can make an informed decision about your future. It takes just a few minutes!

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A Strong Work Ethic Can *Make* Your Career and Character—Here's How to Develop It

It pays to work hard

Julie Nguyen is a certified relationship coach and freelance mental health and sexuality writer. Her writing explores themes around mental well-being, culture, psychology, trauma, and human intimacy.

Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and a professor at Yeshiva University’s clinical psychology doctoral program.

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Characteristics of a Strong Work Ethic

How to develop a strong work ethic, work ethic skills for success, the downside to a strong work ethic.

My mother was relentless in instilling a strong work ethic in my family. Growing up, we didn’t have much. But we believed in self-reliance and getting things done, no matter what, to get the things we did have. Her value systems forever shaped my attitude and behaviors, teaching me to channel a wholehearted commitment to my actions. 

Chrystal Ramos , a Headspace mental health coach and coach manager, defines a strong work ethic as the ability to set goals and stick to those objectives until they are achieved. According to Ramos, dedication, discipline , productivity , and flexibility are essential qualities for success.

Dreaming about your desires is one thing; taking action to go after them is another. Here’s how and why you should develop a strong work ethic.

Jeremy Dela Rosa , executive advisor for founders and spiritual life coach, notes possessing a strong work ethic can help you show up to work with increased focus, courage, and problem-solving. 

A work ethic is made up of many qualities that contribute to your success and effectiveness in the workplace. Dela Rosa shares some characteristics below: 

Reliability and Integrity

“Follow through on your commitments to build trust . When others trust you, it cultivates a willingness to give you their time, attention, energy, and ideas,” Dela Rosa says. Examples include meeting your deadlines, following through on your projects, and being on time. “More importantly, when you can trust yourself - your confidence rises, fear loses its hold on you, and making decisions becomes easier.”

Flexibility

Dela Rosa points out that society is undergoing rapid shifts, affecting virtually every job on the market today. Adaptability is key to navigating these changes: “Set yourself up for success by accepting that things never remain static, be willing to let go of old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve you and the team, and constantly experiment with new ideas. By letting go of your personal preferences and comfort zone, you will find new perspectives, clarity, and creative solutions with greater ease.”

Set yourself up for success by accepting that things never remain static, be willing to let go of old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve you and the team, and constantly experiment with new ideas.

Humility and Ownership

You won’t know everything and you’ll make mistakes. That’s OK. “Recognize that this is not a reflection of your inherent worth, but rather an opportunity to learn, improve, and take accountability where you can do better and try new angles. Doing so dramatically improves your working relationship with others and builds loyalty with your customers.”

Collaboration

“We live in a world of immense complexity, with many layers of systems constantly interacting with each other - economic, technological, social, legal, or environmental,” Dela Rosa says. “Your ability to support and work with others is an absolute necessity. Without it, you can’t be a team player and tackle challenges with others. This requires clear communication, reciprocity, integrity, and a genuine interest in the well-being of others.” 

Perseverance

"It may seem easier to give up sometimes, for it often takes multiple tries to get things right," Dela Rosa explains. "Whether it be in life, business, or relationships - the greatest rewards are hidden behind the discomfort. Having the grit and resilience to overcome adversity is a superpower, letting you ascend to unimaginable heights.” 

Benefits of Developing a Strong Work Ethic

Developing a strong work ethic is rewarding as you can see your tangible results and it enhances your professional reputation. As your reputation builds, you prove you can take responsibility for your outcomes, sharpening your ability to thrive in dynamic work settings. 

“There are few things more satisfying than seeing your creations completed, shining with a high quality that only you could produce at your best,” Dela Rosa continues. “Whether it be a happy customer, an increase in sales, a more efficient process, or a more beautiful product - having a strong work ethic enables you to consistently deliver, and deliver well.”

A strong work ethic helps you organize your priorities, tasks, and time effectively to meet challenges head-on, reinforcing positive habits. Despite inevitable moments of stress, procrastination, overwhelm, and distraction, you can rely on your hard-earned discipline to push your projects to completion.

“When you deliver consistently, people start to notice. They trust in your capabilities, they respect your input, they gravitate towards your energy, and they become your biggest supporters,” he says. “Your efforts can open up opportunities for a salary increase, promotion, partnership, or a dream job.”

If you don’t have a strong work ethic, it’s easy to feel demotivated, underperform, and turn in sloppy work at your job.

A solid work ethic is needed to maintain motivation, productivity, and high-quality work. When you care about your goals, team, and overall output, it becomes easier to approach your career with a positive attitude and commitment to excellence. 

Ramos says, “A person can develop a strong work ethic by finding out their ‘why’ and ‘what?’.  Why are you here?  What do you want to accomplish?  What do you ultimately hope to achieve?” Engaging in a contemplative dialogue with yourself to identify these motivations and then defining the core principles are pivotal steps to establish pillars in how you approach work.

Dela Rosa shares tips he uses in his coaching practice to guide new founders, entrepreneurs, and members of organizations through this process. 

• Set a vision for who you are and what you stand for: “Understand who you truly are and what you value most. Is it integrity, consistency, quality, speed, pragmatism, creativity, compassion? Envision yourself operating at your absolute best and what that looks and feels like. Then show up each day and make the choices that represent that ideal self.”
• Practice self-discipline: “Believing in something and acting on it are two different things. Each day, commit to small achievable actions and activities that adhere to your goals and principles. Over time, this consistent behavior will turn into habits and routines and yield compounding returns.”
• Set boundaries : He recommends being firm around distractions such as social media, email, and nonessential meetings. Learn to say no when necessary and commit to following through on your true priorities to get your tasks done.  
• Surround yourself with motivated people. “Individuals naturally conform to their environment, and that includes other people. Surround yourself with peers and colleagues who share similar values and work ethics. Their positive influence and feedback can help motivate and inspire you to stay focused and committed to your own goals.”

A 2022 study found job satisfaction is determined by the concept of “realizing a perfect image of oneself,” which is less about viewing your job as a forced obligation and more about seeing it as a space to refine and master your skills.

As you accomplish goals with cognitive effort, your brain releases dopamine, flooding your body with satisfaction. So, whether it’s doing a good job flipping burgers or project managing, doing those tasks with intrinsic motivation pulls the same reward chemical levers in your brain.

This perspective is especially relevant today, as society increasingly shifts away from hustle culture to combat the burnout experienced by younger generations within the capitalist framework.

Among Gen Z, there’s a notable embrace of “ quiet quitting ,” which rejects the idea that work must be the center of your life. At its best, its values can enforce strong boundaries for work/life balance, reclaim your time, and find meaning in your work since you're making time in life for your happiness.

What are some work ethic skills for success? For starters, Dela Rosa suggests being curious about your job which will incentivize you to seek out new knowledge and acquire new skills. He explains that conscientiousness, paying attention to details, and striving for diligence play a big role in your daily efforts.

“The greatest problem solvers are proactive, self-driven, forward-thinking, and solutions-focused,” he says. “By taking initiative, anticipating future needs, and creating solutions before being asked, you lead the way in preventing delays, minimizing disruptions, and accelerating progress. These are key elements to improving work ethic.”

Examples of a Strong Work Ethic

Let’s explore how a strong work ethic can show up in different professions. In education, it might be a science teacher who passionately conducts engaging experiments in class to excite students. In healthcare, it looks like a nurse who goes above and beyond to provide compassionate care to their patients. In entrepreneurship, it may be demonstrated by a founder tirelessly dedicated to their vision, working around the clock to achieve their goals. 

According to Ramos, here are some other pillars you can add to your work ethic to help you succeed further:

• Advocating for yourself: This helps you take control of your career, how you interact with others, and the projects you’re taking on.
• Prioritizing and being intentional about planning your work-life: Manage your time and energy so you can be thoughtful about caring for yourself while juggling work commitments. 
• Educating yourself as a subject matter expert: By staying updated with continuous learnings, you can learn new perspectives and also network with other individuals in your field. 
• Asking for feedback: This feedback helps you identify blind spots, understand how others perceive your work, and grow professionally. 
• Seeking out mentorship: A mentor can look out for your career path, provide opportunities for growth, and offer support and guidance. 

Most importantly, a strong work ethic benefits the team. Dela Rosa says, “When I recollect the best people I’ve worked with, I always remember the ones who were reliable. They showed up with a smile on their face, followed through, and owned their mistakes. Not only did I feel safe and confident they were on my team, but it was an absolute joy to be in their presence and collaborate.”

Although having a strong work ethic can help you get ahead with your job, it can have detrimental effects on your personal life and mental health when taken too far. Dela Rosa notes a strong work ethic can sometimes translate into excessive self-criticism , workaholism, and perfectionism if one strives for flawless execution. To avoid this pitfall, he recommends practicing self-compassion, setting realistic goals , and celebrating your achievements –no matter how small.

“Working long hours and neglecting personal needs can result in burnout, which impacts mental and physical health,” he says. To prevent burnout , he advises his clients to delegate tasks and focus on their health, hobbies, loved ones, and restorative activities such as meditation, exercise, or reading.

Too much focus on your work ethic may lead to excessive performance and criticizing people who aren't able to match your pace. Doing this can disconnect you from your empathy and emotions as you focus more on doing than being. “Judging others based on their work habits can create tension and undermine team cohesion,” Dela Rosa says. “Focus on your own progress and appreciate diversity in working styles. It fosters a supportive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.”

What This Means For You

Developing a strong work ethic can be a powerful asset in life. By being driven and actualizing your ambitions, you can count on yourself to see your goals through to the end. As you apply yourself and set your goals, it’s important to recognize when you need to recharge to take care of yourself .

When you’re able to effectively channel your hard work, you can fulfill your dreams and find your individual independence.

Grabowski D, Chudzicka-Czupała A, Stapor K. Relationships between work ethic and motivation to work from the point of view of the self-determination theory .  PLoS One . 2021;16(7):e0253145.

Westbrook A, Braver TS. Dopamine does double duty in motivating cognitive effort .  Neuron . 2016;89(4):695-710.

By Julie Nguyen Julie Nguyen is a certified relationship coach and freelance mental health and sexuality writer. Her writing explores themes around mental well-being, culture, psychology, trauma, and human intimacy.

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The Power of a Strong Work Ethic: Why It Matters and How You Can Improve It

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A great work ethic can take you far in life. This quality is celebrated in everything from academia to the work world. Work ethic is not only in the professional world but is also integral to our wellbeing. If you understand how it really functions, you'll be better equipped to take the simple steps needed to improve your own work ethic. To that end, we've compiled a guide to all things work ethic: what it means, why it matters, and what you can do to boost yours.

What Is a Strong  Work Ethic ?

Ask 10 different people what it means to have a strong work ethic, and you'll almost certainly receive 10 different answers. In general, however, most work ethic definitions contain the following key components:

• Planning. People with a strong work ethic know how to work smart, not just hard. Often, this means creating detailed outlines for when and how they'll complete key tasks. Goals must be quantifiable and achievable—and they must be revisited and updated regularly.
• Habits. Whether they're good or bad, habits dominate your life. If you have a strong work ethic, you'll make the effort to cultivate excellent habits instead of resting easy with the poor ones that get you nowhere. Not only do these habits keep you on track, but they can also help you achieve your loftiest goals with less effort.
• Passion. While a sense of duty can take you far, it'll only do so much when you lack passion for your work or schooling. It certainly won't keep you on track on its own, but it can be an amazing supplement to the qualities highlighted above. Red-hot passion keeps you yearning for greatness—and motivates you to take action when obstacles stand in the way.
• Grit. When the going gets tough, how do you respond? If you rely exclusively on natural talent, you won't get far. Respected psychologist and science writer Angela Duckworth explains in Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance that this quality has little to do with luck, but rather, is about "passion and perseverance for long-term goals."

Benefits of Having a Strong  Work Ethic

The benefits of a strong work ethic extend to every aspect of your life, including not only your academic and professional achievements, but also your relationships, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. Noteworthy advantages include:

Better Academic and Job Performance

From college to the workplace, a strong work ethic will set you up for success through every stage in your professional trajectory. Your work ethic is what gets you to hit the books when procrastination calls—and it's what keeps you on track at the office when social media or email compel you to procrastinate. Through hard work, you'll gain invaluable knowledge and abilities (including both technical and soft skills) that boost your performance in many aspects of life.

Taking Pride in Your Work

When you coast through life, accomplishments may be few and far between. Even when they do arrive, it's tough to take pride in something you didn't achieve through your hard work.

The smallest achievements feel extra satisfying when you have a strong work ethic. Instead of reflecting on hollow victories, you can pat yourself on the back for both the win and the work it took to get there.

Developing a Wonderful Reputation

Ask employers if they prefer raw talent or a strong work ethic, and the vast majority will be more enthusiastic about the latter. It doesn't take long to identify which professionals possess this quality. If this is evident in your day-to-day habits, you can expect to gain a strong reputation, and, ultimately, a strong professional network.

Improving Work-Life Balance

Having a strong work ethic does not mean that you have to run yourself ragged. In fact, the opposite is true: When you develop self-discipline and time management skills, you'll make better use of every minute on the job.

In turn, you can dedicate more energy to pursuits outside of the workplace. Instead of scrambling to achieve inferior results after procrastinating, you'll complete tasks on time—and with less stress.

How to Develop or Improve Your  Work Ethic

Everybody possesses unique gifts and weaknesses, so it's perfectly normal for some people to have an easier time developing a solid work ethic than others. Certain traits—such as being organized or detail-oriented—become evident early on, even when the people who hold these qualities have never made an active effort to develop them.

With that being said, current or previous struggles with work ethic don’t prevent you from acquiring it. Work ethic is a lot like a muscle—with regular practice, it will become stronger over time. Follow these simple steps to give your work ethic a boost:

Find Your Why

Which aspects of your life do you expect will improve once you've achieved a better work ethic? Do you find these areas personally compelling? If not, you may need to find a new “ why” that motivates you to keep working hard. This will vary significantly from one person to the next but will often involve intrinsic goals, such as helping vulnerable community members or spurring innovation.

Avoid Perfectionism

It may seem counterintuitive, but perfection often stands in the way of professionalism. It's frequently used as an excuse for procrastination; if you can't do something perfectly, why bother at all? If you have a strong work ethic, however, you'll focus on putting in the work rather than worrying exclusively about the results.

Build a Community

Developing a better work ethic doesn’t have to be a solo venture. You need strong support from all types of people, including not only partners and family members, but also friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. The more people you share your mission with, the more often you'll receive the words of encouragement  you need when things get tough.

Strong  Work Ethic  Examples

By now, you should understand why work ethic is so important and what it takes to give it a boost. To illustrate the value of this prized trait and the role it plays in the real world, we've highlighted a few situations that exemplify this concept:

• Internships and externships. Hands-on work experiences provide wonderful opportunities to get noticed by potential employers. An intern or extern with a great work ethic is sure to attract attention. This could be as simple as arriving early to each shift or taking the effort to apply academic findings to the real-world work environment.
• Engaging with classes. If you have a strong work ethic, simply showing up for class won't be good enough. Instead, you'll need to fully engage with the material by volunteering to answer questions, meeting with instructors during office hours, or staying after class to ask questions.
• Adopting healthy habits. A solid work ethic could push you to shop for produce when a visit to the local fast-food drive-through seems more appealing. It will also help you move your body each day through moderate exercise—resulting in major improvements in physical health, as well as a much-needed daily dose of endorphins.

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At The College of Health Care Professions, we understand that there's more to the college experience than academic coursework alone. We want students to gain not only technical skills but also soft skills like a strong work ethic. We're here to support you on your journey. Contact us today to learn more .

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How to Develop a Strong Work Ethic

• Tutti Taygerly

Hiring managers want to see your motivation, can-do attitude, and dedication.

In our early career years, it can be challenging to figure out what behaviors are and are not acceptable in different professional environments. Employers are now expecting more of entry-level workers and they want to see that you have good work ethic. So what is work ethic?

• Work ethic refers to a set of moral principles, values, and attitudes around how to act at work. It often surrounds what behaviors are commonly acceptable and appropriate (or not).
• Qualities like reliability, productivity, ownership and team support all demonstrate professional integrity, or a strong commitment to ethical behavior at work. In contrast, low-quality work, tardiness, or lack of attention to details demonstrates bad work ethic.
• If you’re new to the workplace, a good way to start is by observing. Pay attention to how your coworkers behave in meetings to gain a better understanding of their “etiquette,” as well as the communication styles of different people and teams. Another essential part of building good work ethic is adopting a “do it like you own it” attitude. You can do this by being proactive in small, but powerful, ways.

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Have you ever wondered about how to behave appropriately at work? Throughout your career, and especially in the early years, it’s challenging to figure out what behaviors and attitudes are and are not acceptable in different professional environments. The more you traverse companies and industries, the clearer your understanding will become. When you’re just starting out, though, it can be hard to pin down these behaviors.

• Tutti Taygerly is an executive coach and speaker with 20+ years of product design experience in Silicon Valley. Her book Make Space to Lead: Break Patterns to Find Flow and Focus on What Matters Most (Taygerly Labs, 2021) shows high achievers how to reframe their relationship to work.

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10 Outstanding Work Ethic Examples to Inspire Success

Understanding the Importance of Work Ethic

Defining work ethic.

Work ethic can be defined as the set of principles and values that guide an individual's approach to work. It involves a strong commitment to responsibilities, a positive attitude, and a sense of personal accountability for delivering high-quality results. Having a solid work ethic is not only beneficial to your own success but also influences the success of the team and organization you are a part of.

Developing a strong work ethic requires self-discipline and a dedication to continuous improvement. It involves setting high standards for yourself and consistently striving to meet or exceed them. By demonstrating reliability, diligence, and professionalism in your work, you not only enhance your own reputation but also contribute to a positive work culture that fosters productivity and growth.

The Role of Work Ethic in Success

Work ethic plays a pivotal role in determining our level of achievement and fulfillment in our careers. When we consistently demonstrate a strong work ethic, we earn the trust and respect of our colleagues and superiors. This, in turn, opens doors to new opportunities and advancement. Moreover, a strong work ethic instills discipline, perseverance, and the ability to overcome challenges – qualities that are essential for long-term success.

Furthermore, a strong work ethic is often contagious and can inspire those around you to elevate their own performance. By embodying a commitment to excellence and a proactive approach to tasks, you set a positive example for others to follow. This not only creates a more cohesive and motivated team environment but also cultivates a culture of success within the organization as a whole.

The Components of a Strong Work Ethic

Responsibility and reliability.

Being responsible and reliable is at the core of a strong work ethic. It means taking ownership of your tasks and delivering on your commitments. A responsible individual takes initiative, meets deadlines, and ensures that their work meets or exceeds expectations.

Responsibility also extends to acknowledging mistakes and learning from them. A strong work ethic involves accountability and the willingness to take corrective action when necessary. By admitting errors and working towards improvement, individuals demonstrate integrity and a commitment to personal growth.

Dedication and Determination

Dedication and determination are key components of a strong work ethic. It involves setting clear goals , staying focused, and putting in the necessary effort to achieve those goals. Even when faced with obstacles or setbacks, individuals with a strong work ethic persevere and find ways to overcome challenges.

Moreover, dedication goes beyond mere task completion. It encompasses a passion for one's work, a drive to continually improve, and a willingness to go above and beyond expectations. By approaching tasks with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, individuals with a strong work ethic inspire those around them and contribute to a culture of excellence.

Professionalism and Respect

Professionalism and respect are essential qualities in any workplace. Those with a strong work ethic act with integrity , treat others with respect, and maintain a high level of professionalism in their interactions. They understand the importance of teamwork and collaboration, striving to create a positive and supportive work environment.

Furthermore, professionalism involves effective communication, both verbal and non-verbal. Clear and concise communication fosters understanding and prevents misunderstandings. Respectful communication, whether with colleagues, supervisors, or clients, builds trust and strengthens relationships, creating a harmonious and productive work environment.

Exploring the 10 Outstanding Work Ethic Examples

Example 1: punctuality and time management.

One standout example of a strong work ethic is punctuality and effective time management. Being punctual demonstrates respect for others' time and shows a commitment to meeting deadlines. Additionally, effective time management allows individuals to prioritize tasks, allocate resources wisely, and optimize productivity .

Imagine a scenario where an employee consistently arrives late to work, causing delays in team meetings and project timelines. This lack of punctuality not only disrupts the flow of work but also sends a message that the individual does not value their colleagues' time. On the other hand, someone with a strong work ethic understands the importance of punctuality and strives to be on time, setting a positive example for others.

Example 2: Initiative and Self-Motivation

Initiative and self-motivation are essential qualities that propel individuals to take action and go above and beyond what is expected of them. Those with a strong work ethic proactively seek opportunities to contribute, innovate, and continuously improve their skills and knowledge.

Consider an employee who consistently takes the initiative to propose new ideas or suggest process improvements. This individual's self-motivation drives them to think creatively and find ways to enhance their work environment. Their strong work ethic not only benefits their own growth but also inspires others to think outside the box and strive for excellence.

Example 3: Quality of Work

A strong work ethic involves a commitment to delivering high-quality work. Individuals with this ethic pay attention to detail, seek feedback to improve their performance, and take pride in the results they produce.

Imagine a situation where two employees are given the same task. One employee with a strong work ethic meticulously reviews their work, double-checks for errors, and ensures that the final product is of the highest quality. The other employee, lacking a strong work ethic, rushes through the task, neglects important details, and produces subpar work. The difference in the quality of work is evident, highlighting the importance of a strong work ethic in achieving excellence.

Example 4: Teamwork and Collaboration

Successful individuals recognize the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving shared goals. They actively contribute to team discussions, respect diverse perspectives, and are willing to lend a helping hand to their colleagues.

Imagine a team where each member possesses a strong work ethic. They actively listen to one another, value each other's contributions, and collaborate effectively to achieve the team's objectives. This synergy creates a positive work environment where ideas flow freely, conflicts are resolved constructively, and collective success is celebrated. A strong work ethic not only benefits the individual but also fosters a sense of unity and camaraderie within the team.

Example 5: Adaptability and Flexibility

Another outstanding example of a strong work ethic is the ability to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing work environment. Individuals with this ethic embrace new challenges, willingly adjust their approach when necessary, and demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity.

Consider a situation where a project encounters unexpected obstacles, requiring the team to quickly pivot and find alternative solutions. An individual with a strong work ethic remains calm, assesses the situation objectively, and adapts their strategies accordingly. Their ability to embrace change and remain flexible not only helps overcome challenges but also inspires confidence in their colleagues and stakeholders.

Example 6: Problem-Solving Skills

Strong problem-solving skills are highly valued in any workplace. Those with a strong work ethic approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset. They actively seek innovative solutions, think critically, and persevere until the problem is resolved.

Imagine a scenario where a complex issue arises, causing a significant disruption in the workflow. An individual with a strong work ethic takes charge, gathers relevant information, and collaborates with others to identify potential solutions. They analyze the problem from different angles, think outside the box, and persistently work towards finding a resolution. Their problem-solving skills, coupled with their strong work ethic, contribute to the overall success of the team and organization.

Example 7: Honesty and Integrity

Honesty and integrity are non-negotiable aspects of a strong work ethic. Individuals with this ethic possess a moral compass that guides their actions and decisions. They are trustworthy, act ethically, and take responsibility for their mistakes.

Consider a situation where an employee faces a dilemma that tests their integrity. They could choose to take a shortcut that compromises the quality of their work or act honestly and follow the established procedures. An individual with a strong work ethic would choose the path of integrity, even if it means facing challenges or setbacks. Their commitment to honesty builds trust among colleagues and stakeholders, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.

Example 8: Positive Attitude

A positive attitude is contagious and can uplift the entire work environment. Individuals with a strong work ethic approach challenges with optimism, maintain a can-do attitude, and inspire others with their resilience and enthusiasm.

Imagine a workplace where an employee consistently radiates positivity, even in the face of adversity. Their strong work ethic enables them to tackle challenges with a smile, find silver linings in difficult situations, and motivate their colleagues to keep pushing forward. Their positive attitude creates a supportive and energizing atmosphere that enhances productivity and fosters a sense of unity.

Example 9: Persistence and Resilience

Persistence and resilience are crucial when faced with setbacks or failures. Those with a strong work ethic do not let adversity discourage them. Instead, they learn from their experiences, adapt their strategies, and persevere until they achieve their desired outcomes.

Consider a situation where an employee encounters a series of setbacks while working on a project. Despite the challenges, an individual with a strong work ethic remains determined, learns from each setback, and adjusts their approach accordingly. Their resilience allows them to bounce back from failures, maintain focus on their goals, and ultimately achieve success. Their unwavering commitment to their work serves as an inspiration to others facing similar obstacles.

Example 10: Continuous Learning and Improvement

Finally, individuals with a strong work ethic are committed to continuous learning and improvement. They seek out opportunities for growth, stay updated with industry trends, and invest in developing their skills and knowledge.

Imagine an employee who actively participates in professional development programs, attends workshops, and seeks mentorship opportunities. Their strong work ethic drives them to continuously expand their knowledge and skills, ensuring they remain relevant in a rapidly evolving work landscape. Their commitment to continuous learning not only benefits their own professional growth but also contributes to the overall success of the organization.

By embracing these ten outstanding work ethic examples, you can take your professional journey to new heights. Remember that success isn't solely determined by talent or luck; it is equally influenced by the values and behaviors we embody. So, cultivate a strong work ethic, and let it guide you towards a successful and fulfilling career!

Embracing a strong work ethic is just the beginning. To truly thrive and find joy in your professional life, it's essential to be part of a team that feels like family—a team that invests in and supports a culture of belonging. At Candor, we're dedicated to helping you and your team cultivate this environment, where every day feels like play and culture is a shared journey. Don't let your team's potential go untapped. Sign up for Free today and start building a workplace where everyone feels at home, where culture is a democracy, and success is a collective achievement. Join Candor and step into a future of collaboration, authenticity, and happiness at work.

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The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and Augusta Technical College instruct and evaluate students on their work ethic in all programs of study. Ten work ethic traits have been identified and defined as essential for student success. These traits are as identified:

• APPEARANCE: Displays appropriate dress, grooming, and hygiene.
• ATTENDANCE: Attends class; arrives/leaves on time; notifies instructor in advance of planned absences.
• ATTITUDE: Demonstrates a positive outlook; demonstrates mannerly behavior; follows chain of command.
• CHARACTER: Displays loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, dependability, reliability, initiative, self-discipline, and self-responsibility.
• COMMUNICATION: Displays appropriate nonverbal, verbal, and written skills.
• COOPERATION: Handles criticism, conflicts, and complaints appropriately; works well with others.
• ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS: Prioritizes and manages time and resources effectively; demonstrates flexibility in handling change; follows directions and procedures for the work environment.
• PRODUCTIVITY: Completes tasks assigned efficiently, effectively, and timely; demonstrates problem-solving capabilities.
• RESPECT: Tolerates other points of view; acknowledge and appreciates rights of others, has regard for diversity.
• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with others toward a common goal in a respectful and cooperative manner; participates appropriately as a team member.

Why Work Ethics Matter

Strong work ethics are a top concern both state wide and nationally. The Georgia Department of Education created a program— GeorgiaBEST —to educate and train students in the area of work ethics. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that 80 percent of workers who lose their jobs do so not because of lack of occupational skills, but because of poor work ethics.

EXPLORING THE WORK ETHIC OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A TEST AT A SMALL REGIONAL UNIVERSITY IN THE MIDWEST

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How To Answer “Describe Your Work Ethic” (With Examples)

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You may hear an interviewer ask “Describe your work ethic”, so it’s important to know how to answer so that they can see what kind of person you are and what you will bring to the table.

To help you prepare for this common interview question , we’ll go over how to answer “Describe your work ethic”, provide work ethic examples and answers, and the do’s and don’ts when describing your work ethic.

Key Takeaways:

This question can feel like a curveball because there are so many different ways to describe your work ethic, but overall it is simply telling a company what kind of worker you are.

When you consider that work ethic is defined as the belief that hard work is morally beneficial and a driver of strength, you can see why this value in particular is of interest to hiring managers.

When describing your work ethic it’s important not to lie or exaggerate on what you are saying because they will find out once you start.

How to answer interview questions about “describe your work ethic”

Examples of the best answers to “describe your work ethic”, why do interviewers ask “describe your work ethic”, do’s and don’ts for describing your work ethic, list of words that describe your work ethic, how to answer “describe your work ethic” faq.

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To answer “Describe your work ethic,” you should create a list of traits that accurately describe how you behave in a work environment. To help you with this task, ask yourself some of the following questions:

How do I like to be managed ?

What is my greatest accomplishment ?

What type of work environment do I thrive in?

How do I tackle challenges at work?

How do I get motivated ?

These questions should inspire you to think about your experiences and how you work. Do you prefer management that allows you to work independently? That means you are confident in your abilities and decision-making.

Did you accomplish closing on a big project due to putting in extra hours? You could describe yourself as tireless and devoted. Think about certain keywords that stick out in your mind and add them to your list.

Here are some other characteristics that are indicative of a solid work ethic:

Enterprising

Enthusiastic

Fast-learning

Remember, having specific examples for each characteristic is key to being able to successfully sell yourself and ace the question during your interview. You want to use work experiences to show the interviewer evidence of how you exemplify these characteristics.

This is called the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Response.

Below are some example answers to “Describe your work ethic.” Remember that there is no wrong answer for describing yours, as each individual performs and approaches work scenarios differently.

Traits: driven, efficient example answer

I am driven to find the most efficient processes at work. In my last position, I was able to streamline the entire content production process from start to finish. I utilized tools such as Asana and collaborated with other team members to develop a system that worked best for our needs. Ultimately, other departments took notice of the increased production for my team and asked to shadow our meetings to learn more.

Traits: enthusiasm, passion example answer

I am enthusiastic when it comes to taking on new tasks, and my managers often consider me for new opportunities. At my last job , I took the lead on spearheading a March Madness giveaway for our audience in order to increase engagement and drive conversions. I conceptualized the promotion and liaised with other departments to ensure that all necessary elements were completed. My passion and enthusiasm for the project resulted in my editorial director asking me to launch several campaigns with other verticals within the organization.

Traits: positivity example answer

I pride myself on always having a positive outlook and motivating my colleagues to do the same. After one of our busiest weeks, I decided to organize a retreat for our department. I believe in positive reinforcement and keeping morale in the workplace high, which is why the event was very important to me. We did plenty of activities to build teamwork and create a happy, fun environment. This happened to be the first employee retreat at the firm and is now something that management plans every quarter thanks to my efforts.

Traits: strategic example answer

I have proven to be a strategic thinker that always has long-term goals in mind. I was able to renegotiate our 3-month, $50,000 contract with a vendor into a 6-month, $120,000 agreement. I did this in order to help my team reach our projected revenue for Q4.

Traits: reliable, responsible example answer

I take pride in the fact that my team members and those from other departments can always count on me. When I receive a Slack message, I always do my best to respond promptly. I became a major point of contact within my organization due to the roles I played on various projects. I believe it is always my responsibility to provide resources to my colleagues the best I can.

Traits: trustworthy, committed example answer

My work ethic is centered around being trustworthy and committed. I believe trust is the foundation of any successful endeavor, and I strive to uphold it in all aspects of my work. I am also deeply committed to the tasks I am given. I approach every project with dedication and perseverance.

Interviewers ask “Describe your work ethic to try and find out how much value and dedication you put into your work. They want to know if you are a self-starter or if you require a great deal of guidance to find direction.

Recruiters want to gauge how efficient you will be at completing tasks and if you will make the goals of the organization drive how you handle individual and team tasks. When an interviewer says, “Describe your work ethic”, here are the questions they are trying to find answers to:

Do you hold yourself accountable for your actions?

Do you work well with team members?

Are you dedicated to completing tasks?

Are you willing to go above and beyond?

Are you consistent?

Can your team members count on you?

Will you be a good fit for the company culture?

Every employer wants to hire candidates that will come to work and exceed expectations, so being able to express that you have a good work ethic is a sure way to impress recruiters.

Here are some tips for what to do and what not to do when describing your work ethic:

What to do:

You should practice your answer and provide details when answering this interview question. Below are more things you should do when answering this question:

Do practice. Practicing how you will answer the question beforehand will help you to be concise in your delivery during the interview. You want to be able to clearly articulate your answers to interview questions, and this is especially important during timed rounds with multiple people.

Do consider the position. While you likely have dozens of examples that you could use to describe your ethic, try to keep the position at hand in mind. You want the interviewer to be able to relate your previous experiences to the new role, allowing them to see the value of adding you to the team. Consider the keywords and phrases that were used in the original job posting.

Do provide details. Part of answering the question correctly is being able to provide specific details. If you give a trait and then a very surface-level explanation, this may be a red flag to recruiters that you either did not have the experience or you just are not particularly strong in that area. That is why proving how you demonstrated instances of good work ethic is key to winning over the interviewer.

What not to do:

You should avoid being negative or exaggerating your answer. Below are some more things you should avoid when answering this question:

Don’t over-exaggerate. This is another way of saying to be honest during your interview. Give accurate accounts of your experiences and how you performed. Being truthful will allow you confidently answer any follow-up questions the interviewer may have, plus what you say may later be verified by one of your reference contacts.

Don’t be negative. It should go without saying that you should only discuss positive experiences during your interview. Sometimes, applicants will try to spin their weaknesses into a positive, but this is unnecessary when it comes to describing your work ethic. Choose to convey your best traits and work examples.

Don’t just list adjectives. The last thing your recruiter wants to hear is a long list of adjectives without any type of support . Think back to the preparation stage, where you have your traits and examples readily available and fresh in your mind for the interview.

Of course, having a word bank can provide a good starting point when considering which traits fit you best. Take a look at some of the words below that are commonly associated with work ethic:

Cooperative

Disciplined

Organizational

Professionalism

Responsible

Trustworthy

What are the characteristics of a good work ethic?

Some characteristics of a good work ethic include persistence and determination. Other characteristics include having a positive attitude, being punctual and showing up on time, and being professional.

What does it mean to have a good work ethic?

Having a good work ethic means you take your work seriously and you want to go above and beyond. If you have a strong work ethic, you will often place a high value on your professional success. When you have a strong work ethic, you are often reliable, trustworthy, and responsible.

Charter College – Importance of a Good Work Ethic at School and in Your Career.

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Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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Work ethic in the workplace

Discover work ethic definition, examples of strong and bad work ethics. Why it is important in the workplace. Learn how to improve your work ethic.

Ivan Andreev

Demand Generation & Capture Strategist, Valamis

January 17, 2022 · updated July 10, 2024

15 minute read

In this article, you’ll learn what defines a strong work ethic, and how to develop it within your company.

You’ll also learn what affects the work ethic of various personnel, and how you can help them improve it.

What is work ethic?

Why is work ethic important, what are the benefits of having a strong work ethic in an organization, strong work ethic examples, bad work ethic examples, strong work ethic skills you should develop, bad work ethic skills you should avoid, how to develop a strong work ethic in an organization (tips), faq about 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.

Work ethic may seem like a subjective topic, but for human resources departments, knowing what it is and how it works is important.

A strong work ethic within the company serves as a behavioral model for the right way of working. It supports and fosters a productive working culture.

Employees with a strong work ethic are highly driven and often far exceed their peers in terms of achieving company goals.

They lead by example and motivate others to work hard. Of course, it must be part of the work culture , and everybody should support it.

Otherwise, one employee with a strong work ethic in a collective of people with poor work ethic will eventually exhibit the same attitude or will leave the company.

Bad work ethic, put another way, can lead to demotivation, loss of effectiveness, sometimes even to high turnover rate and other damaging consequences.

So, it is vital for the HR department to track and adjust work ethic within the company, department, or even of the particular employee.

We won’t say that employees with a strong work ethic are better choices for promotion within the company, but they are the first candidates for this, because of their drive and commitment to their job.

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Employees are more productive and dedicated. They help each other, and so on. Cover this more.

1. A balanced, respectful workplace and culture

Employees with a strong work ethic present themselves as professionals in every sense of the word.

They respect their fellow employees, their higher-ups, and those that they come into contact with.

Not only does this present a polished image for your organization, it also creates an environment that other people are happy to work in.

2. Higher productivity

Employees with a strong ethic put their commitments to the company before other, frivolous activities.

While there’s no reason to work rather than attend to a family emergency, these employees won’t slack off on a project because they’d rather do something they’re not obligated to instead.

A high drive for work ethic means that they take enough gratification in their job to complete every task, and correctly prioritize their work/life balance.

People with a strong work ethic take pride in their jobs and see every task they do as important.

These are employees that rarely, if ever, arrive at the job late. Not only that, they complete all assigned projects in a timely manner and avoid holding up the workflow of the rest of the organization. This creates efficiency and a sense of expediency in the workplace.

3. A wider talent pool

The employees that show the highest work ethic are also those that continue their dedication as they advance in their careers. Better managers make for better employees underneath them.

When you scout employees with a strong work ethic from the beginning, you can keep your strongest assets within the company.

Work ethic examples

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

People with a strong work ethic are often referred to as true professionals. Next, we’ll look at some examples of a strong work ethic in the workplace.

First example:

Barney is the employee that always follows through on his commitments. If he agrees to take over another co-worker’s shift, he always shows up. If commits to a deadline, you can count on him to meet that deadline.

Everyone knows him as the guy they can rely on. He gets satisfaction in being the person that never shows up late, and always completes work of the caliber, no matter what the task is.

Second example:

Angela’s supervisor asked her to coordinate reports between patient in-services and insurance. Unfortunately, Angela isn’t very familiar with processing certain insurance claims.

Rather than giving up, Angela decides to expand her skillset. She networks with her co-workers in the insurance department and asks questions of her supervisor to ensure she completes her task to the best of her ability.

In the process, she expands her skills to make sure she meets her goals.

Third example:

Barbara is known for her meticulous work. She never misses a deadline, and still doesn’t sacrifice the quality of her work to do so.

While it may take more focus, and time for certain tasks, she always delivers high-quality, reliable work. Her supervisors know that they don’t need to double-check her work.

No matter what day, what time, or what the circumstances are Barbara never turns in work that would be considered sub-par.

Individuals with bad work ethic aren’t very hard to point out. However, clear examples can help you point out specific factors that are a problem. If these are corrected, the employee’s performance will also improve.

Jim’s supervisor asked him to review the financial reports from last quarter to look for purchases from one client. The supervisor gave him this task about a month ago and asked him to complete it within a few weeks.

Now, a month has passed, and Jim still hasn’t reviewed any of the reports. Rather than starting early, he’s left it to the last minute and turns in an incomplete report.

Jim is a standard example of poor prioritization and a weak work ethic.

Sheila is sometimes bothered by the tasks required of her. However, she never addresses this with her superiors. Instead, she complains to co-workers, friends, and anyone that will listen about her job.

Ultimately it displays a very poor image of the company and creates a more hostile working environment for her co-workers.

Being resentful and complaining, rather than seeking solutions, is another strong indicator of poor work ethic.

Jeff is an employee that isn’t bothered by work schedules. Every weekday he’s supposed to show up at 9 am.

While other employees show up on time or even early, Jeff is rarely, if ever at the office on time. He makes excuses about traffic or other problems but never bothers to get up earlier to correct the issues.

His constant tardiness shows a lack of respect for his job and fellow coworkers. His coworkers know him as unreliable and irresponsible as a result.

Repeated tardiness is another common sign that an employee has a bad work ethic.

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.

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

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

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.

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 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.

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

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.

Next, this list will give you the best tips available for developing a strong work ethic within your company.

1. Lead by example

People look to their leaders for the behaviors they should emulate. Supervisors and the HR department are perfect examples of this.

Show employees the value of a strong work ethic by embodying it yourself, and encouraging supervisors in all departments to do the same.

2. Organize team workshops

Employees tend to be more motivated when they work as a team, and learning skills for their job is no different.

Allowing everyone to work together in a team workshop breeds a more positive environment in the office, and often gives individuals an extra reason to try and excel at learning a new skill.

3. Organize feedback sessions (discussions)

Getting feedback helps you know how employees feel about the company.

You can choose to do individual interviews, group discussions, or even anonymous surveys. The most important part is to get honest, unfiltered feedback.

This feedback can tell you if there’s a general lack of work ethic in the company as a whole, in certain departments, or if certain individuals diminish work ethic.

4. Team building activities

People work harder when they feel like part of a team, and they don’t want to let their teammates down.

Use team-building activities to build rapport between employees, and grow their skills for teamwork.

Working as a team player is an important skill for developing an attitude of a strong work ethic.

5. 1-on-1 meetings to improve attitude

Address problems within your company as soon as possible- but keep it professional.

Don’t try to confront an employee in front of their peers, which can cause embarrassment, and lower morale and motivation. Instead, if you find an individual with problematic attitudes or behaviors, pull them aside for individual meetings.

Try to understand any issues they feel are causing the problem, and help coach them into better work behavior.

6. Encourage mentoring

One way to help enhance work ethic is by giving employees time to learn from a more experienced employee with a strong work ethic.

Mentors understand what less experienced employees deal with, and issues that might cause a negative attitude.

Set aside time and select mentors to be available to ‘coach’ other employees, and ultimately enhance their performance.

7. Keep a professional demeanor

Professionalism is a cornerstone of a strong work ethic.

Remember, a strong work ethic shows that you have great pride in the work you do, and a strong drive to continually succeed.

That also means that you see yourself as part of the team, and want to represent yourself, your coworkers, and your place of work to the very best. You never act in a way that creates a hostile or uncomfortable environment for your peers- you’re too busy trying to achieve your next goal.

Likewise, you don’t create conflict, and address everyone else within the company with the same respect you feel you deserve. You keep a clean-cut, professional appearance that shows you care about how you represent yourself and the company.

What does work ethic mean?

Work ethic represents a set of ethical attitudes towards work that regulates employees’ behavior at work.

What is a strong work ethic?

A strong work ethic refers to an outlook that compels people to succeed within their jobs.

How to develop a strong work ethic?

Create an atmosphere of mutual respect and professionalism among employees. Encourage employees to think of themselves as team players.

How to improve work ethic?

Maintain a professional attitude even in difficult circumstances. Remember that you’re part of a team, and that team needs all players to succeed. If possible, find a mentor (such as a more experienced employee at your company) to help guide you.

What are important skills of strong work ethics?

The most important skills for a strong work ethic include:

How to describe your work ethic?

Highlight positive traits about yourself that show your work ethic. Make these traits specific to you and your attitude. Avoid simply listing skills or traits; instead, try to connect them with job experience or examples.

How do you complete your work? Are you: timely, reliable, professional, or driven? Do you: always arrive on time, consistently complete quality work, support your team members?

Use these traits to build your answer, and make sure you can give relevant examples for each.

What is the protestant work ethic?

The Protestant work ethic is a theory applied to many different subjects, including sociology, theology, and other related studies. You may also hear ‘Protestant work ethic’ referred to Puritan or Calvinist work ethic, although the principles are the same.

In essence, this theory says that people are influenced by the values in their Protestant faith, and tend to demonstrate a more frugal lifestyle, discipline, and diligence in their everyday lives.

What is poor work ethics?

Poor work ethic shows when employees demonstrate bad work habits, including a lack of productivity, lack of concern for deadlines, and poor quality of work. In general, poor work ethics are an overall disregard for the job and professionalism.

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Greater Good Science Center • Magazine • In Action • In Education

Five Steps to Get Students Thinking About Ethics

When grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the students in a seventh-grade science classroom in northern New Jersey wrestled with a question: How do we ensure that all community members have equitable access to much-needed resources after international weather events?

The storm had left the town’s only supermarket without power, creating a need for food over the next two weeks. Working in small groups in a science classroom, students were challenged to design a greenhouse prototype out of recyclable materials that could grow food year-round. This sustainable structure could potentially supply food throughout the year and during another prolonged power outage.

As educators, we are nurturing tomorrow’s leaders, who will be called upon to solve global problems like climate change. And in order to do that, they must learn ethical thinking. But how do we teach ethical thinking in the classroom without making it feel like an additional instructional task for teachers?

At the Rutgers Social-Emotional Character Development Lab , we have developed a step-by-step framework that builds upon principles of social-emotional learning (SEL) that you may already be teaching in your classroom—as well as established processes for problem solving and decision making—to help students examine real-world issues through an ethical lens. Research suggests that these kinds of lessons can help students grow into global citizens with the skills to address the big issues our world is facing today.

Five steps for ethical decision-making

Teaching ethical thinking aligns with the mission you may have as an educator to promote global citizenship. “Being a global citizen means understanding that global ideas and solutions must still fit the complexities of local contexts and cultures, and meet each community’s specific needs and capacities,” explains AFS-USA. While investigating real-world problems from many perspectives, students gain an appreciation for many sides of an issue and avoid the pitfall of simply reinforcing their preexisting attitudes .

Ethical thinking also enriches social-emotional learning. According to researchers Michael D. Burroughs and Nikolaus J. Barkauskas , “By focusing on social, emotional, and ethical literacy in schools educators can contribute to the development of persons with greater self-awareness, emotional understanding and, in turn, the capability to act ethically and successfully interact with others in a democratic society.” The five steps below serve as a seamless way to integrate ethical decision making into a science or STEM class.

These steps come from our Prosocial Design Process for Ethical Decision-Making, which itself is a synthesis of three frameworks: prosocial education (which focuses on promoting emotional, social, moral, and civic capacities that express character in students), the Engineering Design Process (an open-ended problem-solving practice that encourages growth from failure), and the IDEA Ethical Decision-Making Framework . This process offers a way for students to come up with creative solutions to a problem and bring ethical consideration to global issues.

1. Ask questions to identify the issue. Students begin with a current topic , like climate change, genetic engineering of crops, the use of insecticide to control pests in agriculture, oil spills in the ocean, or deep sea mining.

Then, they reflect on open-ended questions as a way to start thinking about a solution. For example, they might ask, “What is the ethical issue?” to envision the problem and consider the perspectives of those involved in the problem.

Let’s imagine how this process might work in the seventh-grade classroom mentioned above. First, students may contemplate how equity plays a role in the distribution of resources during a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy. One student, Naya, recounts how her family only had access to canned goods during the two-week power outage, as they could not afford the grocery store prices for the limited items kept frozen by a generator. This prompts her to pose the following question to her group: “How will we make sure that the food grown in the greenhouse is equitably distributed? Who will pay for the materials to build and maintain the greenhouse?”

To deepen the inquiry, group members might ask additional questions, such as “Who are we creating a product for, and why is it important to find a solution?” and “What are the power dynamics at play in this problem?” As students engage in discussion, they are practicing teamwork and learning to advocate for the rights of others—SEL skills that help them to consider the perspectives and diverse needs of all people affected with an inclusive ethical lens.

2. Consider the perspectives of people impacted to brainstorm solutions. In this step, students engage in open and honest dialogue on how the problem can affect individuals, groups, and wildlife in the community.

In the Hurricane Sandy example, some students talk about how much pressure the mayor has to ensure that response efforts run smoothly and equitably, and that all members of the community have the necessary resources that they need to be safe, fed, and sheltered. Meanwhile, another group’s conversation centers around a single-parent household with four children, very little income, and no family nearby to offer support.

In considering different people’s points of view, it is essential for students to engage in perspective taking so that their solution is representative of the broadest set of the public’s needs possible. This governing commitment points them toward ethical conduct for the greatest good.

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Through this work, students build their relationship skills and self-management, the ability to manage their thoughts, emotions, and behavior effectively. They actively listen to their peers and demonstrate cultural humility . When a conflict arises, they not only work on resolving it constructively but also practice self-discipline. By practicing these skills, students act as leaders who are mindful of divergent and diverse perspectives, keeping equity at the forefront of decision making.

3. Analyze research to design and test solutions. This begins with students carefully comparing the pros and cons of the solutions they came up with for the people impacted. As students narrow down their thinking toward a single solution, they critically examine the evidence-based reasons in their thinking and approach the decision with fairness and justice. Along this line, students should take care to factor in the mission, vision, and values of the groups they plan to serve.

Once a solution has been decided upon, creating a prototype is essential to test it out. This can be done in a cost-effective and sustainable manner through community or parent donations, upcycling, or digital formats. As students collaborate, again reinforce the norm of allowing multiple viewpoints to strengthen the model or prototype. Such open communication will permit new iterations of the prototype to emerge and improve its overall quality. Groups should finalize their design by considering whether all group members have an identifiable contribution to the final solution and are satisfied with it.

The SEL competency of responsible decision making includes “learning to make a reasoned judgment after analyzing information, data, and facts” and “anticipating and evaluating the consequences of one’s actions”—and this is exactly what students do in this step. The groups will test out their prototype to gather feedback from the people impacted to see how the solution meets their specific needs. They will then use this feedback to make adjustments to their design in the fourth step.

4. Evaluate and iterate for an ethically justifiable solution. “Will this greenhouse design work in different parts of the world?” asks Shaniqua in the New Jersey classroom. The opportunity for students to revisit and revise their initial solution is an essential component in ethical problem solving.

As students reconsider their initial design in light of further evidence or arguments, the group should consider ways to respectfully challenge and resolve disputes. For example, Prince believes that his design is the best for any area of the globe, but no one listens to his input.

As educators, we can use an opportunity like Prince’s input being overlooked to cultivate students’ relationship skills and responsible decision making. This step requires students to work on developing empathy and gaining an appreciation for the feelings and viewpoints of others. They learn that throughout the design process, they are bound to encounter conflicts, and resolving them effectively requires that they actively listen , are open-minded to the ideas and needs of others, and embrace the iterative nature of the process. This step also emphasizes responsible decision making, which, when used purposefully, can help students to look beyond their own needs to the greater good. The argumentative reasoning of this phase demands students’ thoughtful care and stewardship of all people affected, with an ethical lens. According to medical ethicists, decisions should be made on the basis of sound reasoning (i.e., evidence, principles, arguments) that “fair-minded” people can agree are relevant under the circumstances. Evidence-based reasoning ensures that the most ethical and justifiable solutions can be achieved under the circumstances and constraints.

5. Communicate findings to all relevant stakeholders. Sharing out the students’ findings with an authentic audience is essential to making the project genuine. Taking public action in sharing their discoveries or design is a critical lever in an ethical framework. Students gear up to practice the skill of self-management , as well as setting personal and collective goals.

In New Jersey, students in their teams have already discussed how they will communicate their greenhouse design and organized their presentation; they have engaged the SEL skills of self-discipline and self-motivation. Acknowledging different cultural and group norms for communication is also essential and most effective in reaching the intended audience when sharing the results.

As your students share their findings with the world, emphasize how their decision-making process created an opportunity to serve the public good. By making their results public, and sharing their rationale and evidence, their ethical conduct can spur additional research and action. In essence, the experience underscores how sharing scientific thinking for the public interest and public consumption can further scientific development.  This ethical framework guides students to think beyond themselves to identify solutions that impact their community . The added SEL benefits of self-reflection, social awareness, relationship skills, and appreciation of the world around them awaken students’ consciousness of core ethical values, equipping them to make decisions for the greater good. Using prosocial science topics like climate change empowers students to engage in relevant, real-world content to create a more equitable, sustainable, and just world where they experience how their humanity can impact the greater good.

About the Authors

Karen Cotter

Karen Cotter, Ed.D. , has been a teacher/professor in STEM/STEAM education for over 25 years in grades 6-16. She is an adjunct professor at Caldwell School of Business and Computer Science and in the Department of Educational Technology STEM certificate program at New Jersey City University.

Laura Bond, M.A. , has served as a K–8 curriculum supervisor in central New Jersey. She has taught 6–12 Social Studies and worked as an assistant principal at both the elementary and secondary level. Currently, she is a field consultant for Rutgers Social Emotional Character Development Lab and serves on her local board of education.

Lauren Fullmer

Lauren Fullmer, Ed.D. , is the math curriculum chair and middle school math teacher at the Willow School in Gladstone, NJ; instructor for The Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools—a partnership between Rutgers University and St. Elizabeth University—adjunct professor at the University of Dayton’s doctoral program, and a consulting field expert for the Rutgers Social-Emotional Character Development (SECD) Lab.

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“Describe Your Work Ethic”: 3 Examples of Smart Answers

By Status.net Editorial Team on February 8, 2024 — 9 minutes to read

When you hear about work ethic, you might think about staying late at the office or checking emails around the clock. However, work ethic is really about your attitude and behavior towards your job and responsibilities. It’s a set of values you hold regarding the importance of work and how you perform it.

Preparing Your Response

When gearing up to answer the question about your work ethic, focusing on specific experiences and values that shape your professional approach is key.

Reflect on Your Experiences

Think about your past jobs, volunteering roles, or any projects you’ve tackled. Remember situations where your work ethic was put to the test. For example, did you ever meet a tight deadline without sacrificing quality, or maybe you were the go-to person for problem-solving? These instances give a glimpse into how you handle your responsibilities.

Identify Core Values

Next, pinpoint what you believe are the pillars of your work ethic. Is punctuality your strength? Or perhaps you pride yourself on consistency or teamwork? Knowing these will help you weave a narrative that genuinely represents your professional mindset. You might say, “I value transparency and open communication because it streamlines collaboration and builds trust.”

Formulate Your Narrative

Now, combine your reflections and values to create a compelling narrative. Instead of merely stating, “I’m hardworking,” tell a story that shows it. For instance, “In my last role, my commitment to meeting client expectations meant that I often led team brainstorming sessions to ensure we delivered innovative solutions on time every time.” This gives life to your work ethic, allowing the interviewer to see your qualities in action.

Structuring Your Answer

When crafting your response to “Describe Your Work Ethic,” it’s important to remember that the way you structure your answer can be just as telling as the content. Use real-life examples and organize your thoughts to make a lasting impression.

Situation or Task

Identify a specific scenario or responsibility from your previous experience where your work ethic was tested or showcased. Describe the context in a way that someone unfamiliar with your job can understand the importance of the situation. For example, you might mention a tight deadline on a project at your last job where you were responsible for leading your team to success.

Explain the steps you took in response to the situation. Be specific about your role and what you did to address the task at hand. For instance, if you stayed late for several nights to ensure the project met its deadline or took the initiative to solve an unexpected problem, this is where you share that.

Share the outcome of your actions. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with data or concrete results. If staying late led to the project’s on-time completion and a 20% increase in client satisfaction, those details illustrate the impact of your strong work ethic.

Example Answers

Example 1: commitment and reliability.

Your commitment to your job means you’re always punctual, and you meet deadlines consistently. For example, you might say, “I prioritize my responsibilities to ensure I’m always on time and meet project deadlines. My previous manager often depended on me to deliver work promptly, which helped maintain our team’s reputation for reliability.”

Example 2: Team Collaboration and Support

Working well with others shows that you value teamwork and are willing to support your colleagues. You could explain, “In my previous role, I was the go-to person for collaboration. I helped organize team meetings and contributed to creating a supportive work environment where all opinions were valued.”

Example 3: Efficiency and Quality Focus

Being efficient and maintaining high-quality standards is about balancing speed with attention to detail. You might describe this balance by saying, “I streamline my processes to be as efficient as possible without compromising on quality. At my last job, this approach allowed me to increase productivity by 20% while also reducing errors in my work.”

Tailoring Your Answer to the Job Description

When you’re asked to describe your work ethic during a job interview, aligning your answer with the job description can demonstrate that you’re a perfect fit for the role. Carefully read the job description and identify the key qualities the employer is looking for. Here are ways you can tailor your response:

• If the job calls for teamwork , you could say, “I thrive in team settings where collaboration leads to innovation. In my last role, I contributed to a group project that increased our department’s efficiency by 15%.”
• For roles emphasizing innovation , mention, “I’m constantly looking for ways to improve processes. I once reorganized an outdated filing system, which saved hours every week.”
• Where attention to detail is paramount, try, “I pride myself on my meticulous nature. For example, by carefully auditing reports, I’ve helped correct critical financial discrepancies.”
• If the job requires strong communication skills , you may share, “I believe in clear and concise communication. This was key when I successfully mediated a conflict within my team.”
• A role that values adaptability might resonate with, “I’m quick to adjust to changes. When a major product shift happened, I was among the first to adopt the new procedure, setting a positive example.”
• When customer service is a priority, you could respond, “Ensuring client satisfaction is a priority for me. I once stepped in to resolve a complaint and turned the situation around, retaining a key account.”
• Leadership qualities can be showcased with, “I lead by example and with empathy. I spearheaded a volunteer initiative that both helped the community and boosted team morale.”
• If problem-solving is highlighted, consider saying, “I tackle challenges head-on and with creativity; I developed a solution that reduced common customer questions by 30%.”
• For roles looking for self-motivation , indicate, “I’m driven to exceed my targets. Last quarter, I surpassed my sales goals by 20% through persistent effort.”
• When time management is essential, state, “I prioritize my workload effectively. This approach helped me successfully manage multiple projects without missing deadlines.”

By specifically addressing what the employer needs, using concrete examples, and integrating those with your personal experiences, you paint yourself as the ideal candidate. Relate these qualities back to tangible outcomes from your previous work to strengthen your answer.

Describing Work Ethic Without Experience

When you’re asked to describe your work ethic but lack formal job experience, focus on the qualities and behaviors you’ve demonstrated in other areas of life. Think about the group projects you completed in school or volunteer work you’ve been involved with.

• For instance, you can illustrate your reliability by recounting a time you consistently met deadlines for class assignments or managed a schedule for a sports team, ensuring practices and games went smoothly. This shows employers that you take commitments seriously and manage time effectively.
• You can highlight your initiative through examples like starting a club at school or leading a group project. By sharing these experiences, you convey a proactive approach to taking on tasks and a willingness to lead when necessary.
• You can mention your collaborative spirit by detailing an instance when you worked with classmates to achieve a common goal, revealing your capability to work well with others toward success.
• Discussing your adaptability , you can talk about a situation where you handled unexpected changes during an event you helped organize. This demonstrates your ability to remain flexible and level-headed in the face of challenges.
• You can demonstrate your perseverance by explaining situations where you encountered difficulties during volunteer work, yet you continued working until you resolved the issues. Employers appreciate individuals who don’t give up when faced with obstacles.

It’s important to be honest and provide real-life instances that exemplify these traits. Your examples give potential employers insight into how you will perform on the job, despite the lack of traditional experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When describing your work ethic in an interview, being vague is a common pitfall. Instead of general statements like “I work hard,” provide specific examples that showcase how you’ve applied your strong work ethic to achieve results.

• Avoid overusing buzzwords like “team-player” or “self-starter” without backing them up with concrete experiences. Saying you’re a “perfectionist” can also backfire, because it could imply a potential for inefficiency.
• Being negative about past experiences can reflect poorly on you. Even if you’ve faced challenges, focus on how your work ethic helped you overcome them rather than complaining about previous roles or employers.
• Resist the temptation to exaggerate . If you claim to be the first one in and last one out every day, ensure this is a truthful representation, as it may be verified with references.
• Ignoring the cultural fit is an error. Your description of your work ethic should align with the company’s values. Researching the company culture and incorporating it into your answer can show a thoughtful approach.
• Lastly, don’t miss the opportunity to be personable . Share stories that reveal not just your commitment to work but also how you connect with colleagues and contribute to a positive workplace environment. Usually the interviewer wants to see how you’ll fit as a team member, not just as an individual contributor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does having a strong work ethic mean to you, and how do you reflect this in a professional setting.

Having a strong work ethic means you’re committed to delivering quality work consistently. You might show this by being punctual, meeting deadlines, and going the extra mile to ensure a project’s success.

Can you provide examples of how you have demonstrated a good work ethic in your previous roles?

In past roles, you may have volunteered for additional duties or taken on challenging projects to demonstrate initiative. Staying late to meet a crucial deadline or helping colleagues with their workload can also exemplify a strong work ethic.

How do you maintain a consistent work ethic even during challenging situations at work?

You remain focused on your goals and prioritize tasks even when times are tough. Seeking support when needed and maintaining a positive attitude can help you overcome obstacles while still upholding high standards.

Could you share your approach to balancing quality and efficiency in your daily tasks?

To balance quality with efficiency, you might implement time management techniques, such as creating to-do lists or using productivity tools, ensuring that you are effective without compromising on excellence.

In what ways do you go above and beyond what is required to ensure work success?

You might take additional courses to improve your skills or proactively seek feedback to enhance your performance. Sometimes, contributing ideas during team meetings or mentoring new staff members can also be ways to exceed expectations.

How do you plan to showcase your work ethic to potential employers during your job interview?

During interviews, you’ll want to share specific stories that highlight your reliability, dedication, and willingness to learn. You’ll also express your enthusiasm for the role and demonstrate your professional values through your demeanor and engagement.

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Work Ethic: 5 Easy Steps for Developing a Good Work Ethic

Has your work ethic ever been questioned? Ever been guilty of making excuses or procrastinating? Here are 5 steps you can take now to develop a good work ethic that will make you a valuable employee.

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Back in the 1990s, there was a television show called, "Kids Say the Darndest Things!" It was based on a feature that was heard on Art Linkletter's old-time radio show and long-running T.V. series in which kids would share their candid – and unintentionally funny – thoughts and reactions.

Well, it's not just kids who say the darndest things. How about adults?

Findings from an annual survey conducted by the opinion and polling gurus at Harris Interactive, Inc. for CareerBuilder, indicate that the most common excuse employees have given for not showing up to work is being sick.

Thirty percent of workers, however, have called in sick when they have not actually been ill. This speaks to the work ethic of those individuals who called in sick even when they weren't.

The study was conducted online and included 2,494 hiring managers and human resource professionals and 3,976 workers across industries and company sizes.

Employees gave all sorts of excuses for not coming to work. Just didn't feel like going. Needed to relax. Had to catch up on sleep. Needed to run errands. Had a doctor's appointment.

Then there are the more creative explanations.

• My toe got stuck in the faucet.
• I was too upset after watching "The Hunger Games."
• I forgot I had been hired for the job.
• My dead grandmother was being exhumed for a police investigation.
• My dog was having a nervous breakdown.
• I was suffering from a broken heart.
• A bird bit me.
• I got sick from reading too much.
• I dyed my hair at home and turned it orange.
• My sobriety tool wouldn't allow the car to start.

While you could admire the honesty (and ingenuity) of these employees, most of us would agree that their work ethic needs, well… some work. In order to develop a strong work ethic, follow these five easy steps for work ethic development outlined below and explained in the next section.

Steps for Developing a Good Work Ethic

• Practicing Punctuality
• Developing Professionalism
• Cultivating Self-Discipline
• Using Time Wisely
• Staying Balanced

Here are some things you can do now to develop a good work ethic.

1. practice punctuality..

Develop the habit of being on time or early for all appointments. Getting to class ahead of schedule gives you the opportunity to talk with your professor or get mentally prepared by reviewing notes. If you're taking classes online, stick with your study schedule, hitting the books at the time you planned.

2. Develop professionalism.

Professionalism goes beyond a crisp white shirt and tie. It includes your attitude, values, and demeanor. Practice being positive and cordial. Refrain from gossip. Be respectful of others. Develop a reputation of integrity, which means being honest, just, and consistent in what you say and do.

3. Cultivate self-discipline.

Anything worthwhile achieving takes discipline – staying focused on the long-term goal and not being side-tracked by short-term gratification. Train yourself to be persistent and to follow through on projects. Strive for excellence in your assignments.

4. Use time wisely.

You might have heard it from your grandmother, but Benjamin Franklin was actually the first to say, "Never leave that 'till tomorrow which you can do today." It's age-old advice, but far from outdated. Complete assignments on time. Ban procrastination from your life, keeping in mind something else Franklin, said: "Time is money."

5. Stay balanced.

Having a good work ethic does not mean keeping your eyes glued to your computer monitor. It includes knowing how to take care of yourself. Getting proper sleep. Eating right. Taking time to relax and recharge. Keeping your priorities in life clear helps you maintain the proper perspective at work.

Maya Angelou said, "Nothing will work unless you do."

Develop a good work ethic now, and who knows? It could prevent you from getting your toe stuck in a faucet later in life.

Do you agree? Can you develop a strong work ethic? Or is it something you're either born with or not? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Other posts you may be interested in:

• Why Developing A Good Work Ethic Is Essential To Career Success
• How To Be On Time: 7 No-Brainer Tips
• Video Resumes Show Off Your Star Qualities
• Preparing For a Job Interview: A 10-Step Checklist
• Using Social Media To Get Hired

Image Credit : gregloby on Flickr/Creative Commons

Mary Beth Erskine See more from this author

• 23 Ethical & Unethical Behavior Examples in Workplace: Common Examples and How to Solve Them

Workplace ethics are a dynamic set of values that vary with people and their definition of a workplace. For some, it is a physical office they go to every day, while others, their home office.

It doesn’t matter whether you work from home or commute to work everyday, workplace ethic is required to build a successful career. Organizations are known to embrace ethical practices and behaviors to increase productivity and uphold integrity—while setting a penalty for workers who default workplace ethics.

Following a predefined workplace ethic is a little harder for freelancers and business owners because there is usually no disciplinary committee to punish them for defaulting. It is however evident that for them to not lose clients, they need to imbibe workplace ethics into themselves.

What does Workplace Ethics mean?

Workplace ethics are the set of values, moral principles, and standards that need to be followed by both employers and employees in the workplace. It is the set of rules and regulations that need to be followed by all staff of the workplace.

These ethics are implemented by employers to foster both employee-employee relationship and employee-customer relationships. An organization may decide to put these ethics into writing or not—they are however meant to be followed. 

There exist some general workplace ethics that do not need to be defined by the employer, but are common ethical behaviors employees need to exhibit. In the same vein, some organization-specific ethics may need to be defined in a company handbook.

Examples of Ethical Behaviors in The Workplace  

Examples of ethical behaviors in the workplace includes; obeying the company’s rules, effective communication, taking responsibility, accountability, professionalism, trust and mutual respect for your colleagues at work. These examples of ethical behaviors ensures maximum productivity output at work. And could be pivotal for career growth.

• Obey The Company’s Rules & Regulation

 At the start of an employee contract, companies may need the employee to sign various documents, including the company rules and regulation agreement form. Also, the employee may be given a handbook that may serve as a guide.

Some common rules are tardiness, inappropriate dressing, and language, etc. Due to the excitement of getting a new job, some employees do not properly read these rules and may end up deferring them in the future.

Therefore, it is important that new employees properly read these rules & regulations in other not to defer them.

• Communicate Effectively

Effective communication is very important to avoid misunderstandings when dealing with issues in the workplace. Communicating effectively may mean different things to people at different points in time.

Let us consider the hypothetical situation of an employee trying to relay information to a French-speaking customer. The best way to communicate effectively with the customer is to have an employee who can speak French relay the information. 

Effective communication may also have an employee breaking one of the rules and regulations of the company without getting penalized for it. An employee reaching out to HR that they will be coming in late due to some unforeseen circumstances may be spared for coming late if the situation is properly communicated. 

• Develop Professional Relationships

Good professional relationships are not only a thing that fosters teamwork among employees, but also help with individual career development for employees. Developing professional relationships with coworkers or other professionals outside the workplace will also directly or indirectly improve productivity. 

Professional relationships between low-level and high-level employees will make it easier for ideas to be shared and knowledge to be passed to junior employees. That way, the company can confidently have an intern work on a tough project to meet a pending deadline due to the guidance from older employees.

Salespeople, for one, need to build external professional relationships with professionals from other organizations—especially those who are potential clients. These relationships will help create a contact person in another organization in case they need to sell a product to them.

• Take Responsibility

  It is important for employees to always take responsibility for decisions made both individually and in a team. This is, in fact, a leadership trait that every employee who is looking to take up a managerial position in the future should exhibit.

Understandably, employees may want to save their job and are therefore scared of taking responsibility for a particular event. However, they shouldn’t let this fear take them.out of the team.

For example, the communications team came up with a marketing strategy for the company and it failed. The team members are to jointly take responsibility for this failure, not individuals coming out that they weren’t part of the decision making process.

If the strategy has gone the other way round, they wouldn’t have said the same.

• Professionalism/Standards

There are professional standards that everything an employee does in the workplace. The use of informal words in a formal workplace is highly unprofessional. 

These standards should be held high and applied to every part of an employee’s activity in the workplace. This should include the way they speak, kind of work they deliver and their relationship with coworkers and customers.

• Be Accountable

 Accountability is also a very good trait of an employee. One of the things that may short change a talented and responsible is the lack of accountability. 

Lack of accountability may result in your boss thinking you have an “I don’t care attitude” to the company’s project or worst take you as a liar and may lead to job loss in the long run. For example, at the beginning of each year, a certain amount of money is allocated to each department.

The manager is meant to oversee how this money is spent. If at the end of the year, the manager can not make an account of how the money was spent, he may then be suspected of stealing company funds.

• Uphold Trust

An employee should not do anything that may make his or her employee withdraw trust. As an employee of a company, your employee trusts you to get work done perfectly on time.

Things like missing deadlines regularly or delivering work that needs to be revised over and over again will deny you a promotion. It may even leave the employer not giving you tasks to complete in the future—a nightmare for freelancers.

• Show Initiative without being told

Is the company running behind deadline and you feel you can stay a few extra hours after work to finish up? Do it.

You are a freelance designer and your client wants a particular poster designed but doesn’t have a copywriter to write the content. If you can write the contents, do so. Don’t delay a client’s work because of a few contents.

• Respect Your Colleagues

It doesn’t matter whether you are dealing with the intern, a junior, janitor, etc. they should all be treated with respect. As a manager, treating your team members with respect will help improve their productivity.

Giving constructive criticism and saying kind words to them even when they are not able to deliver perfectly will help them strive to do better in the future.

• Work Smarter

 Don’t just work hard, work smarter. The reason why you see an employee promoted to the post of manager after just 2 years and a hardworking employee who has been with the company for 10 years failed to get a promotion is smart work.

Assume that these 2 employees are data scientists who collect data and analyze them. A smarter employee will use the Formplus data collection tool to collect data and receive real-time data analytics, while a hard-working employee will print paper-based forms and do the hard work of sharing it to respondents.

You might want to check this out: Employee Satisfaction Survey

Unethical Workplace Behaviors

Unethical workplace behaviors are any actions in the workplace that violate the accepted moral norms of a community. These actions can be devastating to the individual, team, organization and in some instances clients or a customer.

Lying is a trait that is detested in and outside the workplace. It kills trust, affects relationships and may even put people in trouble.

There are different situations where employees lie in the workplace—with just one lie opening the floor for many others. It could be a sales manager lying about the number of clients they were able to get in a month or an employee calling in sick just to attend another job interview. 

A lot of employees start lying from their CV, by adding experiences they didn’t acquire, and the skills they don’t have. Employees need to understand that lying about work may eventually get them in trouble and needs to stop before they lose their job. 

However, we notice that employees lie due to fear of their employer—an employee will call in sick to go for interviews because companies frown against employees interviewing at another company. HR should put up a more friendly culture that will encourage people to progress in their careers taking up other jobs and even support them throughout the process.

• Taking Credit for Others Hard Work

It is very common for managers to take credit for their team member’s hard work when reporting to the management. A team member may have brought an idea that helped the sales team improve their sales by 200%.

However, when giving a report, the manager doesn’t mention the team member’s name but claims the idea as his. Employees need to reduce the use of “I”, but embrace the use of ” We”.

By taking credit for another person’s work, you will be denying the person a promotion, bonus or commendation for a job well done. This will discourage the person from sharing ideas that will benefit the company in the future. 

• Verbal Harassment/Abuse

Employees need to stay away from using foul language on coworkers in and out of the workplace. This is very important when dealing with customers.

Customers are known to get angry and may result in verbal abuse due to a bad product or service. They may even get insult you when they are at fault.

As a customer care representative, salesperson or any other employee, it is beth important that you don’t use abusive words on customers no matter how provoked.

Similar to verbal harassment, employees should not be violent when dealing with coworkers and customers. Customers may likely provoke you, but it is better to keep shut and walk away rather than turn violent.

• Non-Office Related Work

  A lot of employees have side hustles which they use to supplement salaries. This is very good and only very few companies are against employees working to make money outside work hours.

However, some employees still do non-office related work during office hours. Employees who have side hustles should try doing them on weekends or employing other people to handle some of the business logistics to avoid eating into office hours to get the work done.

• Extended Breaks

Companies give lunch breaks to employees and people take advantage of these breaks to do other things outside office work like, go for interviews, meet with friends or even work on their side hustles. They are free to do whatever they want these lunch breaks. 

Employees, however, take advantage of these lunch breaks and extend them beyond time. 

• Theft/Embezzlement

Some employees are known for diverting company funds into their bank accounts—padding project quotations, invoices, etc. to deceive the company on how much was spent on particular projects.

This act is detrimental to the company because employees who steal sometimes replace quality products with counterfeits which are cheaper but causes damage in the future.

• Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is an offense that is not limited to the workplace alone. An employee accused of sexual harassment will not only face consequences in the workplace but also tried at a court of law.

Many companies have a zero-tolerance rate for sexual harassment in and outside the workplace. This may tarnish the company’s reputation and the only way to curb is to make an example of defaulters.

• Corrupt Practices

Some common causes of corruption can be seen during the employment process of an organization. They invite so many people to send their CVs and come for interviews but only people with the same political affiliation with them get the job.

This is also common with companies that ask for contractors to bid for a project but the employees will only give them to their friends who may not even bid at all.

Get started with our workplace harassment form template to receive feedback from employees

Examples of Management/Employers Unethical Behaviors.  

Workplace ethics is not for employees alone. Employers are also bound to workplace ethics and may also be tried for unethical behavior.

• Sex for Job/Promotion

It is common for managers, employers and major decision-makers to use their position in the workplace to influence the hiring decision in exchange for sex. 

• Late Night Out/Unpaid Overtime

Some employers take advantage of desperate job seekers and the competitive job market to use employees’ leisure time as they wish. They do so with the mentality that they are doing employees a favor by employing them, not knowing that the favor is mutual.

Employees who are scared of queries or job loss are not able to protest the infringement into their private time by the employer.

• Verbal Harassment

It is common among employers to verbally harass employees when they make little mistakes. This will reduce employee morale and productivity.

Employers should always say kind words to their employees. 

• Undue Pressure

Deadlines are a great way to make sure the work gets done on time. However, when employees are placed under undue pressure, they end up trading quality for on-time delivery.

An example of undue pressure will be giving an employee a 1-day deadline for a project that would normally take a week.

This is a common type of corruption that happens in the workplace. An employee who has been working hard for years while influencing company growth may get sidelined for a promotion because of another employee who is a family friend, family, or friend of the employer. Things like this are what reduce employee morale or even push talented employees to dropping a resignation.

• Unfriendly Work Environment

One of the things that can mar productivity is an unfriendly working environment. This may come as a combination of abusive bosses, lack of commendation, nepotism, etc. An unfriendly environment is an environment that combines various unethical behaviors into one.

• Unrealistic Expectations

Creatives usually have it worse when it comes to having unrealistic expectations from employees. 

You might like: Employee Attitude Survey Template

Advantages and Implications of Workplace Ethics

• It can stimulate positive employee behavior and create a positive ambiance in the workplace
• Ensures management guides and mentors their employees in a healthy environment
• A workplace with good ethics usually strengthens the bond employees have with their superior
• It boosts productivity through employee performance and job satisfaction which in turn increases company growth.
• Bad workplace ethics can cause a strain in the relationship with company stakeholders
• When it leaks (which it most likely will) poor behavior can be recorded and propelled into unsavory headlines online. This can lead to reputational damage to the brand name.

Here’s a Template to help: Anonymous Complaint Form Template

How to Solve Unethical Issues at the Workplace  

1. have rules.

Organizations need to have predefined rules and regulations regarding workplace ethics. These rules and regulations should be given to new employees together with their employment contracts.

Also having the rules written at strategic places at the workplace will also help remind people about the rules. People tend to unconsciously imbibe things they see every day.

2. Accept Feedback/Complaint

Make it easy for employees to send feedback or complaint in case of harassment, abuse, or any other unethical activities going on in the workplace.  

With tools like Formplus , you can create online forms to receive complaints on workplace harassment or any other unethical behaviors 

3. List Consequences for Unethical Behaviors

Consequences for unethical behaviors should also be placed alongside the rules at strategic places in the organization. That way, if anyone wants to ignore the rules despite seeing them, the fear of getting punished will stop him or her from going ahead.

4. Swift Justice/Disciplinary Action

Some Companies often cover up issues of rape, sexual harassment, etc. when the perpetrator is a high-ranking member of the organization. Things like this should not be accommodated.

Irrespective of who breaks the rule, there should be swift disciplinary action by the organization. 

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13 Examples of Good Work Ethic

S ome people feel that work is not just for making money but also gives meaning and dignity to their lives. A person who has an intense love for work wakes up every day with a positive outlook on life and arrives at the workplace happy, energetic, and ready to go. Furthermore, a person with a good work ethics understands that if you want something, you work for it. Some even think that life is about achievements — so they don’t want to go on “off days” because each day is an opportunity for success.

What is a Good Work Ethic?

A good work ethic is an individual’s desire to do their best and be productive. In other words, it’s when someone yearns to carry out a task and complete it without unnecessary grumbling or griping. It also includes the ability to self-manage appropriately, or manage your time  and work effectively.

One thing about work is, it changes, and its standards keep growing. But the people who love their job have a firm understanding of why they come to work, and it reflects their qualities.

A strong work ethic is a good trait of those determined to achieve greatness in their careers and lives. If you want to be like them, there are a few things you will need to learn like, a few examples below.

Here are 13 examples of good work ethic:

1. Accepting Challenges

It’s difficult to get ahead without accepting new challenges , especially when personal interest is involved. People with a strong work ethic never say no to a challenge just because it seems hard.

Instead, they develop some sense of personal empowerment as they realize that every experience helps build their competence and self-esteem.

So, they persevere in the face of adversity and gain valuable lessons and a sense of accomplishment . They always want to learn more, so they don’t shy away from any challenge if it makes them better.

2. Committing to the Results

A person with a strong work ethic will take the time to learn about a project and decide whether or not it’s something they can commit themselves to.

People with a good work ethic know that half-hearted efforts don’t get results, so they always give their best effort even when failure seems inevitable. For this reason, they are passionate about their work and take pride in all of its accomplishments.

3. Setting Good Example

People with a strong work ethic know that exhibiting the best work behaviors is the best way to lead by example . It means showing others how to work hard and be your best.

Most people with a good work ethic are aware that their behavior influences how other people behave, and so they often try to be role models in this sense as well. These are people anyone can count on to work hard, stay focused and deliver.

Read also:  20 Examples of How to Motivate Employees

4. Striving for Excellence

Do you want to succeed in the workplace? Strive for excellence in everything you do. Excellence means to be the best in whatever you do.

Giving your 100% every time will help you achieve that excellence in no time at all. Put all your focus in whatever you do and achieve the best results.

Care about the quality of your work and be willing to put in extra effort when necessary.

You will get more opportunities to grow as an individual and advance within your career. People with excellent work ethics always strive for excellence.

5. Setting High Standards

Having a good work ethic means that you set high standards for yourself and meet them. Instead of just going through the motions, focus on reaching your personal best in everything you do.

Make the most out of every situation and don’t accept no for an answer. By setting yourself high-performance standards, you will advance faster than others. Because when you push yourself, people will notice your effort and contributions.

6. Doing the Right things First Time

Doing things right the first time is to complete any task or action without the need for a second attempt. People with this quality are motivated to do their best and put extra effort into completing tasks without errors.

Nothing is frustrating than employees who waste time correcting corrections. It shows a lack of care and reinforces negative work habits.

People with a strong work ethic don’t allow themselves to be sloppy or careless. They take the time to do tasks properly the first time.

And for someone with a good work ethic, quality always wins over quantity. So find the balance of enjoying what you’re doing while maintaining quality output.

Read also:  16 Character Traits of a Hard Worker

7. Enthusiastic about Work

Being enthusiastic about work is to be excited about what you’re doing. Think of it as having a passion for your job or goals. It can inspire energy in the workplace when everyone is enthusiastic about working together to achieve success.

A person with a strong work ethic can be infectious to everyone around them if they are eager to get results. People who enjoy coming to work every day with enthusiasm know their purpose, which stops them from getting bored.

Those who maintain this attitude are usually the most productive employees and enjoy what they do.

8. Forward-Thinking

A forward-thinking person may not fit an example of anyone with a strong work ethic unless you know why they act this way. Someone with a positive outlook on the future usually is more willing to face challenging conditions or circumstances.

Not only that, people with a good work ethic are organized, meaning they plan and prepare ahead because they don’t like wasting time.

And they know that preparation is one of the factors to achieve success. Anyone with forward-thinking qualities is more likely to succeed in whatever they choose to do.

9. Focusing on the Job

Examples of good work ethic include being focused on what you need to accomplish by blocking out all unnecessary distractions. Having a good work ethic means you will never get distracted or sidetracked, at least not for very long.

People who have a strong work ethic focus on their goals, and you will often find them working towards something with great enthusiasm.

10. Dedicated

Dedication is when someone is so in love with what they are doing and won’t let anything stand in their way. They will push themselves to great lengths until reaching their goals, sometimes at the cost of everything else around them.

A dedicated person cares about their input and output. The person shows up on time, does their best, stays late when needed, and doesn’t complain even when things get tough.

They never quit when things get tough because they know that anything is achievable if you persevere. So, they always stick it out!

11. Hating Failure

Failure is something some people accept. But, for others, it is a setback they cannot tolerate. People with a good work ethic hate to fail because they view success as their ultimate goal.

They devote themselves to complete whatever tasks put before them, and when something gets in the way, they can’t stand it. That’s why they plan to prevent failure.

Read more:  21 Good Examples of Accountability

12. Supportive

To be supportive means sticking up for work colleagues and filling in for someone else when they have to be absent.   That means you are a great team player that takes your work seriously and doesn’t mind helping others.

Those with a strong work ethic tend to be good team players and supportive of the people around them, both at work and personally.

It’s not about being a yes man or woman, but having enough loyalty to your colleagues to help them get through their rough times.

13. Adaptability

Adaptability is the ability to change and be flexible. A perfect example is when your boss asks you to do something out of the ordinary, one with a strong work ethic will go above and beyond to get job done even doing things they have never done before.

A person who has a good work ethic can modify the way they do things according to a situation, rather than sticking rigidly to the same techniques.

How to maintain a good work ethic?

It is not one but many things that you do to create an environment where you are constantly wanting to do better and more. Here is how to maintain a good work ethic:

1. Embrace challenges

No job is perfect, and every employee faces challenges at some point. It is how you handle those challenges that determine your work ethic.

One of the best ways to maintain a good work ethic is to embrace these challenges with an open mind so you can look for constructive ways to transform them into learning opportunities for personal development.

Always strive for self-improvement rather than resignation when facing difficulties in work. And cultivate an attitude of gratitude for everything that comes your way — even if it is not what you expected

2. Take accountability

One of the best ways to maintain a good work ethic is by being personally accountable for your actions. You need to understand, accept and commit yourself to what you do. This means taking responsibility for your productivity and not blaming others.

The more aware we become of our actions and decisions, the easier it becomes for us to develop a good or bad habit — we can choose how to act based on our awareness at any given time.

3. Find joy in each new experience

Find joy in each new experience that is different from anything you’ve done before. If you are not enjoying what you are doing, your motivation will be an issue, and your work ethic will suffer.

Be open to trying new things, even if they seem scary or difficult at first. You will never know what will make you happy until you try something new.

4. Develop a habit

Habits can be tough to form, but we learn by repetition. The more you do something, the easier it becomes, and eventually, you will find yourself doing it without thinking.

For example, if you develop the habit of reading or skimming through your work emails over a morning coffee, after that, you will feel prepared and organized for the day. Stick with it – and you will see your daily productivity levels going up.

5. Learn how to find meaning

A good work ethic is based on self-awareness . You need to know your strengths, weaknesses , motivations, and most importantly, what you want from life.

Once you have a clear understanding of these things, then it is time to start looking for ways that will allow you to use them at work every day.

6. Set realistic goals

Setting achievable but challenging goals for yourself will help you stay motivated and focused on your long-term success. If your goal is too easy or too hard, it’s not very motivating. Find the balance that fits with your personality and skillset so you can better reach peak performance .

7. Strive to achieve your goals

One way to develop and maintain a good work ethic is by striving to achieve a goal. Achievements breed confidence , and confidence breeds the belief that you can achieve even more in the future.

That self-perpetuating cycle helps maintain a good work ethic and other positive habits that contribute to success. To be successful, try to develop a winning attitude and do whatever it takes to reach your goals.

A person with a good work ethic sticks with it through difficult periods despite the difficulty or boredom. They usually prioritize their time well, complete tasks without complaining, and produce results.

In other words, people with a strong work ethic are self-disciplined, with innate abilities to motivate themselves or adopt attitudes or behaviors that contribute more towards productivity rather than lethargy.

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Lesson Plan: A Look at Workplace Ethics

Description.

In this lesson, students will understand the guidelines of ethical behavior in a workplace.

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20+ Work Ethic Examples That Managers Need to Know [2024]

Table of contents:.

Some people believe work ethic is a quality you’re born with, while others think it can be learned and developed over time.

Either way, one thing is for sure: work ethic has a big impact on the success of your business and the productivity of your team.

In this article, we’ll explore the factors that influence work ethic and how to identify employees with a strong work ethic and a weak work ethic. We’ll also look at some work ethic examples in action so you can better understand how it impacts workplace productivity and success.

Key Takeaways:

• An employee’s work ethic is impacted by their environment, workplace culture, and attitude toward labor.
• Managers should take note of employee work ethic to help them realize their full potential.

Is Work Ethic a Character Trait or a Learned Skill?

Work ethic can be defined as a belief in the importance of hard work and the willingness to apply oneself diligently to a task. But the question of whether work is a character trait or a learned skill is a topic of much debate.

Recent research has pointed out the link between self-determination theory and work ethic . It suggests that individuals who have a strong sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness are more likely to exhibit a positive work ethic, as this mindset reflects their personal belief system and values.

It suggests that work ethic is closely associated with a person’s sense of moral duty and is considered a ‘‘syndrome of attitudes and beliefs” surrounding work.

As such, work ethic is not a fixed character trait but a malleable attribute that can be influenced and shaped by the people around us, as well as our cultural and familial values.

Outstanding Work Ethic Examples

Employees with an outstanding work ethic are a valuable asset to any workplace. As workers, these individuals are incredibly reliable, take ownership of their work, and are capable of working independently with minimal supervision.

This is especially important in hybrid work environments , where trust and self-accountability are essential for success.

An employee with an outstanding work ethic:

• Is always going the extra mile
• Is constantly looking for ways to improve
• Is highly independent
• Inspires others to be their best
• Is proactive and self-motivated
• Admits when they’ve made a mistake

Case Study: Brian, the Outstanding Worker

Brian starts his day by reviewing his tasks and identifying opportunities to go above and beyond what’s expected of him. He proactively seeks feedback from his manager and colleagues to improve his work and ensure he’s meeting expectations.

Throughout the day, Brian remains highly independent, completing tasks with minimal supervision and always completing his assignments before their deadlines.

If one of his projects doesn’t meet the standard he sets for himself, he voluntarily works overtime and, in doing so, inspires his colleagues to do the same.

Despite his exceptional performance, Brian remains humble and is able to admit when he’s made a mistake.

Due to the amount of pressure Brian puts on his work performance, he doesn’t allow himself the time to relax and enjoy life outside of work. Instead, he often uses the weekend to log back onto work assignments or improve previous tasks based on his manager’s feedback.

How to Use Interviews to Find Employees With an Outstanding Work Ethic

You can start building a team of employees with an outstanding work ethic as part of your hiring process .

During interviews, you can effectively identify candidates with an outstanding work ethic beyond just the show they put on to impress you on the day.

By paying attention to candidates’ initiative, preparation, professionalism, and passion, you can make informed decisions about who will contribute positively to the company.

Take notice of candidates who:

• Have thoroughly researched your company and prepared for the interview
• Are dressed professionally
• Show interest in your workplace through their tone of voice, body language, and general enthusiasm
• Answer questions interestingly and insightfully

Good Work Ethic Examples

A good work ethic is characterized by punctuality, accountability, honesty, professionalism, and a healthy work-life balance.

For managers, hiring employees with a solid work ethic can help set a standard for success in which not only is achieving organizational goals important but so is getting along with your co-workers and prioritizing your mental and physical needs outside of work.

An employee with a good work ethic:

• Arrives to work on time
• Consistently meets deadlines
• Is reliable and trustworthy
• Completes their work to a high standard
• Is a team player
• Is willing to work overtime when required
• Looks for opportunities to help others
• Is accepting of additional workloads

Case Study: Amy, the “Good Great Worker”

Amy starts her day by arriving at work on time and ready to tackle her tasks after having taken time to relax and rejuvenate outside of work hours. She consistently meets deadlines and produces high-quality work that exceeds expectations.

As a team player, Amy looks for opportunities to help her colleagues and is willing to take on additional work to help her team out.

When necessary, Amy is willing to work overtime and is always happy to help out her team. However, she maintains a healthy boundary between work and her personal life.

Amy doesn’t make a habit of staying in the office if not required and instead spends her time off having an active social life and fulfilling hobbies, as they contribute to her quality of life and well-being.

Why “Good” Might Be Better Than “Outstanding” When It Comes to Work Ethic

While an outstanding work ethic might seem like the most desirable trait an employee can have, it can be unrealistic to maintain for a long time.

These individuals focus almost exclusively on their work, putting an enormous amount of pressure on themselves to perform to a certain standard.

Lack of a strong work-life balance can also lead to severe burnout , which impacts not only work ethic in the long term but also work quality and productivity.

On the other hand, employees with a “good” work ethic are able to consistently maintain a smooth workflow because they enforce boundaries between their professional and personal lives. This leads to a more sustainable and healthy approach to work.

For employers, offering flexible work arrangements is a great way to support a good work ethic. Hybrid and remote work ensures that your team has the ability to work around their own lifestyle in a way that suits them so they can focus on taking care of themselves outside of the office.

Mediocre Work Ethic Examples

Employees with a mediocre work ethic meet minimum expectations but don’t exceed them.

While employees with a mediocre work ethic don’t do anything counter-productive or problematic in the workplace, they also won’t go out of their way to boost their performance and are not always receptive to feedback.

A manager might notice that an employee who was once an outstanding worker has suddenly slipped into the “acceptable” work ethic category. Or they might mistakenly hire an employee they assume is outstanding who turns out to have a mediocre work ethic.

Employees with a mediocre work ethic:

• Arrive at meetings on time but don’t prepare notes or talking points
• Complete their work to an acceptable standard but never ask for feedback or advice on how to make it better
• Are willing to help others when asked but don’t proactively look for ways to do so
• Do what they “need to do” during the day but don’t talk or act passionately about their work

Case Study: “Demi the Mediocre Worker”

Demi starts her day by arriving at meetings on time but without preparing any notes or talking points. She completes her work but never seeks advice on how to improve it or requests feedback.

Demi is prone to asking for extensions on her work. While she does her work quietly, she doesn’t express passion or enthusiasm for it and stays a considerable distance away from her colleagues.

How to Motivate Your Employees to Reach New Heights

Employees with a mediocre work ethic aren’t necessarily bad workers; they may simply be cruising through their workdays without a sense of purpose or passion.

These workers are often disengaged and linked to the quiet quitting phenomenon , where they’ve emotionally checked out and are just going through the motions.

If you’re finding that an employee’s work ethic has room for improvement, try the following tactics:

• Set up a 1:1 meeting to set clear and achievable goals
• Provide personalized and regular feedback
• Offer personal and professional development opportunities
• Show that you care about their future in the company and appreciate their work

Poor Work Ethic Examples

Poor work ethic is characterized by chronic lateness, low productivity, frequent absences, and poor quality of work.

Employees with a poor work ethic often look for the “easy way out.” As a result, they often don’t take their job seriously — and this can contribute to a negative or toxic work environment .

Managers should look out for these behaviors in their employees. They’ll also need to determine if workers with a poor work ethic are an appropriate fit for their team.

An employee with a poor work ethic:

• Frequently arrives to work late
• Often asks for deadline extensions (including after the due date has passed)
• Is unwilling to help their colleagues out and actively avoids taking on any extra responsibilities
• Regularly checks their phone or scrolls through social media during work hours
• Has a poor attitude toward managers when asked to work on something outside of their normal duties
• Relies on others to do all the work in collaborative tasks

Case Study: Mark the Underperforming Worker

Mark frequently arrives to work late — but he always has a coffee in his hand. When working remotely , Mark constantly refuses to join video calls, claiming he’s “too busy.”

When asked, Mark is unwilling to help out his colleagues and actively avoids taking on extra responsibilities, especially if it means he has to put in extra work.

Mark doesn’t like to collaborate with his colleagues , is often rude to his managers, and purposely ignores instructions. Additionally, he is often the first person to leave the office or log off for the day.

Are Employees With a Poor Work Ethic a Lost Cause?

Employees with a poor work ethic can have a significant impact on a company’s operations. However, factors other than simple laziness could play into these situations.

Recent research has shown a link between an employee’s self-esteem , confidence in their job, and extrinsic motivation .

Factors that can impact employee work ethic include:

• Personal issues outside of work
• Poor management, including micromanagement
• Lack of adequate training
• Feelings of stress or failure
• Lack of recognition or appropriate payment

If you believe that some of these factors might be affecting an employee’s work ethic, try to work with them to improve their mental health . This can make a big difference in their performance.

However, if that employee continues showing a poor work ethic even after you’ve attempted to remedy the situation, it might be necessary to let them go and find someone more committed to the role.

Supporting Employees: The Key to Improving Work Ethic

When employees see that their colleagues are going above and beyond, they’re more likely to be motivated to do the same.

However, it’s important to note that work ethic is not just a personality trait — it can be shaped and influenced by extrinsic factors, such as work environment and company culture.

One way to support your employees and get the best out of them is to create a flexible, productive, and collaborative work environment.

For that, you need the right hybrid work software.

OfficeRnD Hybrid is a powerful hybrid work solution that can help your organization adopt and thrive in a hybrid work model by streamlining when, where, and how people work together via seamless workplace experiences.

Get started for free with OfficeRnD Hybrid or book a live demo with one of our workplace experts to see how OfficeRnD Hybrid can transform your workplace and boost the work ethic of your employees

What Is a “Basic Work Ethic”?

A basic work ethic is a set of values and beliefs that guide the way people behave and work in the workplace. It’s the fundamental characteristic that employees have to strive for excellence, ensure that they finish their projects on time and to a certain standard, and maintain a positive attitude toward their work.

What Are Some Professional Work Ethic Examples?

Employees who have a strong professional work ethic exhibit reliability, productivity, professionalism, time management , teamwork, integrity, good communication, and respect for leadership.

What is a Good Example of a Good Work Ethic?

A good example of a strong work ethic is consistently meeting deadlines while maintaining high-quality work. This demonstrates reliability, dedication, and attention to detail, key traits valued in any professional setting.

How Would I Describe my Work Ethic?

To describe your work ethic, highlight your commitment to reliability, efficiency, and quality in your work. Mention your dedication to meeting deadlines, your ability to work effectively under pressure, and your consistent pursuit of excellence in all tasks.

What are Signs of a Bad Work Ethic?

Signs of a bad work ethic include consistently missing deadlines, showing a lack of initiative, and producing low-quality work. Additionally, frequent tardiness, a negative attitude towards tasks, and an unwillingness to collaborate or improve are also indicative of poor work ethic.

What Causes Poor Work Ethic?

Poor work ethic can be caused by a lack of motivation or engagement, insufficient recognition or rewards, and a mismatch between the employee’s skills and their job requirements. A toxic work environment or unclear expectations can also contribute to a decline in work ethic.

Miro Miroslavov

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Why Are Ethics Important in Social Work?

How would you address these ethical dilemmas?

• Should a case manager accept a Facebook friend request from their client?
• A school counselor has been helping a student overcome their social anxiety, and the student’s parents want to know how it’s going. Should the social worker give them details?
• As they get to know their clients, should therapists conduct Google searches for information?

Social workers find themselves in situations like these each day, and the right answers aren’t always clear. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) states that these professionals should embrace basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards as they carry out their responsibilities. 1 But who determines what ethical means when an issue has no precedent?

Whenever they have a question or concern, those in the field turn to the NASW Code of Ethics, which provides information to guide their conduct. 1 It takes an intricate understanding of the Code of Ethics to implement it successfully, and most professionals gain this expertise in advanced degree programs such as an online MSW .

Ethics Inform Social Work Practice

The issues listed above are only three of the countless scenarios that social workers face, and each person might handle them differently. While one person might ignore the friend request, for example, another might accept the request but limit the client’s access. Most social workers know that it’s imperative to maintain personal boundaries with clients, but what about the specifics of social media? Should the boundary be drawn at a friend request, at a profile view, at access to posts, or at a personal message? Furthermore, do professionals know how much of their information is publicly accessible? Without evaluating privacy settings, social workers could unknowingly share their location in posts and display their phone numbers on their profiles.

Social media is just one example of an evolving concern – the pitfalls multiply as fast as advancements in technology. Even if there were a field-wide rule book, it would be impossible to keep up with the multitude of potential ethical dilemmas. According to the International Social Work journal, professionals should handle these grey areas with contextual awareness and critical self-reflection so they can provide ethical, contemporary services. 2 To help, social workers can learn from experience and explore contextual nuances in advanced degree programs. Then, they can make the most ethical decisions moving forward.

Examples of Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work

Everyone in the field will come to an ethical crossroads eventually, and some of the most common examples span the following categories.

Accessibility

Not all clients have reliable access to an internet-enabled device, which means that online services won’t always be an option; sometimes clients will also live too far away for in-person meetings and programming. Social workers should strive to provide equitable access to their services and to community resources.

Confidentiality

Office staff members can’t assume that everyone who calls has good intentions. For instance, someone could call the office pretending to be a housing administrator while seeking a client’s address. Social services professionals should retain clients’ privacy by taking all measures to secure sensitive information online, in physical records, and otherwise.

Individuality

Suppose that a client seeks help for a substance misuse problem, and is told, “You need help.” This phrase could be fully applicable but makes room for self-judgment if the client is unable to do what they “need to do.” A better option might be, “I’ve made a list of all the support groups in your area in case you’d like to attend.” Social workers should respect their clients by communicating with empathy and compassion.

Imagine that a family has come to a community center to ask about Hindu worship centers. The resource specialist feels uncomfortable looking into it because they believe in Christianity, so the family now feels self-conscious. Social workers should address how their religious beliefs, biases, cultural norms, and personal experiences affect their livelihood; critical self-reflection is a great way to make sure that these differences don’t compromise the high standards of the field.

Making Ethical Decisions in Social Work

With several layers of context to each scenario, it becomes impossible for social workers to predict or plan for all possibilities. A published code of ethics can help guide these professionals as they carry out their duties, which is the norm for several other fields as well:

• Education: The National Education Association (NAE) provides the Code of Ethics for Educators 3
• Medicine: The American Medical Association (AMA) maintains the Code of Medical Ethics 4
• Nursing: The American Nurses Association (ANA) publishes the Code of Ethics for Nurses 5

The benchmark for social work is the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, which applies to all professionals and students, no matter where they work or the populations they serve. 1 The Code is made up of four sections: the Preamble, the Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics, Ethical Principles, and Ethical Standards. Plus, the NASW publishes updates to the Code every few years.

Social Work Code of Ethics: Core Values and Principles

The Code consists of six core values, each with an overarching principle. 1

• Service – Principle: Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems.
• Social Justice – Principle: Social workers challenge social injustice.
• Dignity and Worth of the Person – Principle: Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person.
• Importance of Human Relationships – Principle: Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships.
• Integrity – Principle: Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.
• Competence – Principle: Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise.

How to Become an Ethical Social Worker

The NASW’s Code of Ethics is a living document that responds to social change to meet the needs of the profession. The latest update, in 2021, includes language that addresses the importance of professional self-care. 1 Given these regular updates, social work students and seasoned professionals should continually review the Code and apply it in their day-to-day practices.

Learn how to decipher the Code in an online MSW program such as Utica University’s, which explores values and principles in the Code and shows how they impact real-world situations. Plus, Utica’s online MSW is the only clinical social work program in the nation that centers on recovery theories, values, and skills. You can learn how to support clients using ethical, proven trauma-informed interventions.

Complete the traditional online MSW in two years or choose the 12- to 16-month online MSW: Advanced Standing option if you already have a BSW. Discover all the benefits of Utica University’s social work program with a quick visit to the MSW page or submit your information to talk with a member of our team.

• National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Code of Ethics. Retrieved March 6, 2024, from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
• International Social Work. Disrupting Social Work Ethics. April 25, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2024, from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00208728231170078
• National Education Association (NEA). Code of Ethics for Educators. Retrieved March 6, 2024, from https://www.nea.org/resource-library/code-ethics-educators
• American Medical Association (AMA). Code of Medical Ethics. Retrieved March 6, 2024, from https://code-medical-ethics.ama-assn.org/
• American Nurses Association (ANA). Ethics and Human Rights. Retrieved March 6, 2024, from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-ethics-for-nurses/

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Strong Work Ethic Examples That Separate High Achievers

These examples of strong work ethic distinguish professionals who consistently achieve their goals from those who struggle to meet expectations. They serve as a foundation for success.

Work ethic is important because, unlike intelligence, athleticism, charisma, or any other natural attribute, it’s a choice. Mike Rowe

Table of Contents

What Is A Strong Work Ethic?

Work ethic is a set of values centered around the importance, desire, and determination to work hard.

Take, for example, Kobe Bryant. He was known for working out harder and earlier than even the NBA players. He would shoot free throws in the dark, hours before his team was scheduled to practice. Then, after leaving the NBA, he called businessmen in the middle of the night to learn about investing. ( source )

A strong work ethic is an impressive factor in your financial future. Align your financial goals with your work ethic, and you’ll be more likely to:

• Pursue life-changing opportunities
• See increases in income
• Ride out any financial bumps in the road
• Manage your daily money better

Key Takeaway: Work ethic is a skill you can improve to achieve greater financial success!

Good Work Ethic Examples (For The Workplace)

The following work ethic examples cultivate professional growth and success.

Dedication in the workplace is demonstrated through commitment and consistent effort.

Examples of Dedication:

• Putting in daily effort to contribute to the team’s goals.
• Going above and beyond with job responsibilities.
• Seeking opportunities for professional growth.
• Taking on challenging or less desirable tasks.

Responsibility

Employees who consistently fulfill promises are dependable.

Examples of Responsibility:

• Arriving to work and meetings on time. And fully prepared.
• Meeting deadlines.
• Maintaining a consistent level of quality work.
• Keeping commitments to customers, team members, managers, and others.
• Safeguarding confidential and sensitive information.

Professionalism

Professionalism in the workplace contributes to an effective work environment.

Examples of Professionalism:

• Maintaining a professional appearance.
• Respecting other people’s time.
• Communicating with kind words and manners.
• Maintaining an organized workspace.
• Fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Integrity in the workplace involves maintaining honesty, morals, and fairness.

Examples of Integrity:

• Reporting accurate and truthful information.
• Making decisions based on ethics.
• Ensuring fair and unbiased treatment of all employees.
• Acknowledging and taking responsibility for mistakes.
• Upholding proper use of company resources.

Initiative refers to taking proactive steps, making decisions, and driving positive change.

Examples of Initiative:

• Identifying and solving problems
• Volunteering for challenging projects and professional development
• Implementing process improvements, cost-saving initiatives, and innovative ideas
• Mentoring colleagues or new employees

Related: Save Money and Live Better Ideas

Persistence and Grit

These involve a determined work approach and the tenacity to overcome obstacles.

Examples of Persistence and Grit:

• Persisting through obstacles, rejection, and setback
• Adapting to organizational change or new technology
• Turning failure and mistakes into opportunities for growth
• Staying active in growing a business
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Team players ensure that everyone is getting the right information to get their jobs done.

Examples of Teamwork:

• Combining skills and expertise to collaborate
• Maintaining open communication
• Addressing conflicts that arise
• Encouraging collaboration among different departments or teams
• Celebrating the success of team members

Productivity

Productivity is crucial for achieving goals efficiently.

Examples of Productivity:

• Prioritizing tasks, setting deadlines, and efficiently managing time
• Establishing clear goals and action plans
• Using tools to streamline processes
• Using self-assessment and feedback
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Top Tips To Improve Work Ethic

Many traits that exemplify a strong work ethic may come naturally, but they can also be learned, developed, and strengthened. Begin by incorporating these tips.

Set Professional Goals

To boost your work ethic, set clear measurable objectives. Identify and develop the skills you need.

*Use this Free Commitment Card to set and achieve goals.

Develop Self-Discipline

Enhance work ethic through self-discipline by creating a structured daily routine and minimizing distractions.

Example: Do challenging tasks during the first hour of the workday when your concentration is highest.

See more Examples of Self Discipline to elevate your life.

Observe others

Learn from peers, mentors, and leaders in your business. Analyze the specific actions and traits that contribute to their success.

Embrace a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset influences how you approach challenges and setbacks. Develop a growth mindset to view failures as opportunities to learn and improve.

“Own It” Attitude

Cultivate a mindset that mirrors the long-term vision of business owners. Take pride and ownership in your work and consider how your work adds value to the organization.

Seek Feedback

Actively seeking and applying feedback is crucial for your professional development. Regularly consulting with supervisors or colleagues allows for continual improvement.

Additional Strategies for Enhancing Success:

• Daily Affirmations for Success
• Business Vision Board Examples & Ideas
• Ways to Invest In Yourself

Overcoming Challenges to Work Ethic

Maintain a strong work ethic even when it’s tough with these strategies.

Dealing With Burnout

Signs of burnout include fatigue, irritability, and decreased motivation.

Prevent and combat burnout by maintaining a healthy work-life balance and managing stress. Try:

• Taking regular breaks
• Prioritizing and delegating tasks
• Being realistic about your workload
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with exercise, nutrition, and sleep
• Ensuring sufficient time for fun and relaxation
• Seeking support when needed

Related: Building A Millionaire Morning Routine

Managing Distractions

Distractions (particularly the digital kind) are detrimental to a focused work ethic. Most people get very little done because they spend all their time playing with their phones.

Create a distraction-free environment by:

• Using apps or tools to block digital distractions
• Establishing set times for checking emails and messages
• Organizing the workspace to reduce clutter
• Setting boundaries with colleagues, family, and friends to minimize interruptions

Balancing Work and Personal Life

Maintaining a strong work ethic requires a balance. Set clear boundaries by:

• Defining work hours
• Establishing a dedicated workspace at home
• Prioritizing challenging tasks first thing (Eat that frog!)

Related: Boss Quotes to Motivate & Inspire

Positive Work Ethic Examples For Students

Cultivating a strong work ethic during student years lays the groundwork for future professional success.

Work Ethic Examples for Students:

• Attending classes regularly and promptly
• Timely completion of assignments and adherence to deadlines
• Active participation in classes
• Effective time management
• Being well-prepared for each class period
• Producing high-quality work
• Setting and achieving goals
• Seeking help when needed
• Communicating with teachers and peers promptly
• Taking initiative on projects and required curriculum
• Demonstrating perseverance in challenging subjects
• Upholding academic integrity
• Balancing extracurricular activities
• Responsible use of technology
• Effective collaboration in group projects
• Engaging in self-reflection to assess strengths and areas for improvement
• Passive Income Ideas for Students
• Quarter Challenge Savings Plan

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More From Forbes

Poor work ethics (and bad habits) to avoid.

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A poor work ethic can degrade your credibility and career success.

If you’re struggling at work—to get ahead, feel fulfilled or achieve satisfaction —you are wise to consider your work ethic and whether you may have bad habits that are getting in your way.

Your work ethic is critical to how you feel about your work—and just as your expectations for your employer have probably expanded, organizations are also expecting a lot of their people.

Your ability to gain recognition, make friends, grow your career and feel great about your work are all hugely impacted by how you approach your work—and you can be intentional about building your work ethic and good habits.

What Is Work Ethic

Many people ask, “What is a work ethic?” Essentially your work ethic is your set of values that guide your approach to your work. Work ethic is evident through your attitude and your response to all kinds of situations you face at work (and outside of work when you need to get things done). A positive work ethic includes attributes like integrity, quality, discipline, teamwork and responsibility.

Can a lack of work ethic translate into bad habits? Yes, bad habits can arise because you aren’t aware of your work ethic or don’t realize the impact that your behavior has on others. You might also develop bad habits if you lack self-awareness or fail to think through your actions.

People also frequently ask, “What are examples of poor work ethic?” There are tons of examples—from failing to show up on time or get work done to taking credit for others’ work, being two-faced or failing to follow through or deliver on promises. Keep reading for more to avoid.

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Given this, can you improve a poor work ethic? Yes, it’s possible to do better—and to repair and build your credibility. Importantly, people will believe what you do more than what you say, so the choices you make and the actions you take will be critical to your work and your future.

What are the steps you need to take to avoid bad habits—or improve them—and demonstrate a strong work ethic?

• First, give thought to your values, priorities and how you want to be perceived.
• Next, reflect on where you may be falling short and build your self-awareness.
• Then, take action to improve in terms of how you show up, how you do your work and how you interact with others.

Work Ethic In How You Show Up

In order to demonstrate a positive work ethic and avoid bad habits, be intentional about how you show up—both literally and figuratively.

Be on time and work until things are complete—or to a reasonable stopping point.

Also ensure you have a good attitude. Of course, you’ll have days when you feel down, but do your best to bring a positive approach to your work and make things better. Avoid negativity or complaining.

Also avoid stress bragging —in which you highlight how much work you have, how much you’re facing and how much you’re getting done. While you may not intend to be off-putting, this kind of interaction can degrade your relationships and your credibility.

Demonstrate grit and stick with things even if they’re hard, knowing that stress is normal and your happiness with your work will ebb and flow. Build your resilience and ask for help if you’re struggling.

Bottom Line: Demonstrate integrity and discipline by avoiding bad habits like being late, being absent inappropriately, having a poor attitude, being negative, complaining, stress bragging, giving up or covering up your need for help.

Consider how you want to be perceived and reflect on how you approach your work.

Work Ethic In How You Do Your Work

Another critical factor in your work ethic is—not surprisingly—how you do your work.

Be sure you follow through, follow up, deliver on your promises and demonstrate quality in your work. Avoid doing shoddy or incomplete work, and take responsibility for the outcomes and timeliness of your work.

Also avoid perfectionism. While you may think you’re going above and beyond, you’ll get more done and work better with others if you can ensure excellence rather than perfection. Steer clear of overthinking, overdoing or obsessing about your work process or outcomes.

In addition, avoid procrastinating. If your results are subpar because you didn’t give yourself enough to time to do good work, or if you don’t deliver on time and put your teammate in a bind as a result, you’ll reduce your effectiveness and your likability.

Also, be sure you never take advantage of privileges. Take breaks for reasonable amounts of time. If you’re working remotely, be sure to be present, accessible and responsive.

Bottom Line: Demonstrate a commitment to quality and responsibility by avoiding bad habits like failing to follow through, failing to deliver on your promises, doing shoddy or incomplete work, being late with your work, being perfectionistic or hyper-critical, procrastinating, overstaying breaks, overusing vacation, abusing remote work privileges , being inaccessible or being unresponsive.

Work Ethic In How You Interact With Others

A fundamental aspect of your work ethic is how you work with others and demonstrate teamwork . If colleagues perceive you to be out for yourself at the expense of the team, it will be a fast path to feeling ostracized or disenfranchised from your team.

Be open and transparent, and communicate clearly. Set expectations and let people know if you need more time to get your work done.

In addition, assume good intentions and if disagree, ensure you’re having constructive dialogue to resolve issues.

Also, avoid gossiping or being inauthentic or two-faced. And never take credit for others’ work. Instead, offer both recognition and input to support people.

Listen, ask questions and demonstrate empathy by imagining what others might be feeling or thinking—and then be compassionate in response.

Admit mistakes and seek feedback from others—about both how you’re coming across and how you’re delivering on your responsibilities—and seek to continuously improve.

Bottom Line: Demonstrate teamwork by avoiding bad habits like being selfish or self-centered, being secretive or dishonest, overpromising, underdelivering, being contentious, gossiping, taking credit for others’ work, covering up mistakes or ignoring feedback.

Demonstrate A Strong Work Ethic

Overall, reflect on what’s important to you and how you want to be perceived. Then, consider whether your behaviors are in alignment with what you want for yourself—and make corrections.

No one is perfect and you’ll build a great work ethic and strong habits—as well as happiness and satisfaction —when you continually challenge yourself to be honest about where you can improve and then take positive action.

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