ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR AT WORK

WORK ETHICS

This blog will discuss work ethics and specific reference will be made to the Zwelinzima Vavi’s sex scandal and whether or not what he did was ethical.

Ethics are the principles or standards that govern our actions. Ethical behaviour at work can be summarized as Respect, Accountability and Honesty.Employers inform employees of how they are expected to behave and carry themselves at work.In today’s society, however,  there are employees who lack a work ethic in every business and every job.

Jobsearchonline summarises Practical applications of ethics as follows:

Respect

•  Respect for self: a healthy lifestyle, optimism and confidence.

•       Respect for others: positive work relationships, based on effective communication and appropriate behaviour (ability to control emotions).

•     Respect for the organisation: taking an interest in the work being done and caring for the workplace.

Accountability

•    Taking responsibility for and “owning” actions and mistakes.

•      Avoiding making excuses or blaming others.

•        Admitting to “not knowing” and then finding out to avoid making mistakes.

Honesty

•        Being truthful.

•      Avoiding “time theft” by being on time, keeping personal tasks out of the workplace and committing to a full day’s work.

•      Not assuming personal use of workplace equipment or taking work supplies home.

                                                                                                                               Picture by: SOWETAN

The Cosatu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi was suspended and placed on special leave over a sex scandal with a 26-year-old colleague during the teachers union’s regional conference in Port Elizabeth.

The colleague first laid a complaint of rape against Vavi before withdrawing it. According to IOL News by Lebogang Seale the lady at heart of the scandal refused to give reasons as to why she withdrew it. 

Zwelinzima has apologised for his indiscretion. However, no one is above the law-justice has to be done to prevent such cases from happening. He is currently awaiting his hearing and his fate will be decided then.    

It seen as a political attack used to get rid of Vavi. However, whether or not it was a political attack -it was unethical for him to have sex with his colleague.