Workplace Integrity

After reviewing things with the bookkeepers, it is apparent that our camera order may not come in until the week we return from Thanksgiving or perhaps the week after that (holiday shipping is an issue).

That said, this week we will mainly focus on Standard 12: Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior.  Our activities will be centered around managing oneself in different work scenarios, and our currently employed classmates will help us with each task throughout the week.  Since I will be out of the building Wednesday, you will dedicate this class period to blogging about what you’ve learned on Monday and Tuesday. 

Our Clear Target for each day this week is as follows:

We can analyze professionalism and ethical behavior in various workplace scenarios

Monday:

Objective: Present oneself professionally and with proper etiquette, in accordance with norms of the industry and workplace.

I’ll begin class by explaining how I present myself on a daily basis in the classroom and how I previously presented myself in the sales industry.  This lecture goes beyond dress and posture, so please be ready to learn about the “game face” and working with co-workers/clients differently.  I’ll also explain professional conduct on the golf course vs. in the office.

After this, our working students will role play a scenario in which he/she deals with a supervisor and one in which he/she deals with a regular everyday customer.  We will then break out into pairs and practice similar scenarios for five minutes. 

When finished, we’ll compare/contrast professional presentation and etiquette in our desired careers with those traits in our current professional setting.

Tuesday:

Objectives: Demonstrate reliability and responsibility in attendance and in following through on agreed-upon tasks; communicate with supervisor when circumstances change

Today we will discuss the importance of showing up (ON TIME) and making good on our promises.  I will explain a recent scenario in which I worked with a CTE director in Sumner County and how my follow-through reflected well on my employer. 

I’ll then discuss the importance of keeping everyone up to speed on the status of various projects.  This will dovetail into a discussion on initiative, so be prepared to discuss how this applies in the workplace.

We’ll then break out into two groups to cover each of the discussed topics.  Group 1 will create a skit/presentation on how NOT to demonstrate reliability and responsibility.  Group 2 will create a skit/presentation about keeping all concerned parties in the loop on the status of a project.  Groups will present their creations at the end of class for a grade.

Wednesday:

On Wednesday, you will write a blog post about how you can create a portfolio artifact to demonstrate the character traits learned this week.  You will then explain how these traits will apply to your future career.

Thursday:

Objective: Demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior in all

worksite activities including the use of tools and materials, handling of money, logging of hours, billing of clients, sharing of information, and completion of all personnel-related forms.

Today’s lecture is centered around privacy and integrity.  I’ll briefly how I have handled each of the aforementioned scenarios and each student will describe how he/she has personally handled one or more of these responsibilities.  Even if you have never worked a job, you have definitely had to handle sensitive information or have been trusted to handle money. 

I will look for each of you to describe a scenario of your own and ask that you share with the class how you’ve handled yourself.  For closure, you will split into 3 groups to outline procedures for handling the following scenarios:

A friend asks for free food @ your restaurant

A customer leaves her credit card at the checkout counter of your grocery store

You are in charge of collecting money for your student organization

Friday:

Objective: Understand and adhere to appropriate workplace non-discrimination standards on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any characteristic of a person or group unrelated to the workplace

Today you will be given a scenario to analyze.  You will identify the problem and uncover the workplace issues that could arise if the problem is not addressed.  You will then draft a solution for handling the problem and present your findings to the class.  You will use the skills discussed throughout the week to make the best decision possible.

That’s it for this week.  I’ll see you all tomorrow!