Work Ethics Need Improvement Despite Full Employment Rate

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
makes life a wonderful journey.

         Malaysia secured a 2.7 per cent unemployment rate in the third quarter (NST, Nov 28) and according to the report, we are under the zero-employment rate category. The results get better each year but there is still much to be done before we heave a sigh of relief once every Malaysian secures of a job to eke out a living.

            In the past few months, public and private universities have held their convocations. Diploma and degree holders have been busy writing application letters and preparing resumes. These fresh graduates are eager to start working but when it comes to job hunting, there are, generally speaking, two categories of applicants: the non-selective and the selective.

Some fresh graduates are grateful to receive a job offer even if the job is not quite related to their discipline, as they take into consideration the tough competition in the job market. They believe that beggars cannot be choosers and it is okay to start from scratch.

Others are selective and demanding and only consider certain offers that meet their dream-job criteria. These choosy jobseekers would rather be unemployed than accept a mediocre offer.

            Those who only believe in high-flying careers are the reason why a country needs to hire immigrants to fill up vacancies in different fields, industries and sectors to make up for insufficient manpower. Some immigrants are hired under legal contracts while others are illegally recruited by greedy and irresponsible individuals to work as maids or labourers. Worse, illegal immigrants are duped or forced into criminal activities, such as prostitution and illegal land clearing, and example of which can be found in the recent Cameron Highlands tragedy.

As for hired employees, problems arise when some employees do not practise good work ethics. In this era, many expect easy money and only a few believe in starting from the bottom to get to the top. Some employees want to be promoted but do nothing to improve their performance. Also, there are workers who cheat in their time and attendance by gossiping during working hours or having someone else clock in for them when they are late for work or leave early. These employees neglect their responsibilities and sacrifice work ethics without guilt.

For a meaningful work experience, consistent effort, effective superior-subordinate communication and strong camaraderie between colleagues need to be developed by every member of the organisation to ensure productivity and harmony in the workplace. It is crucial for both employers and employees to make work principles and ethics their top priority. 

Employers need to practise good leadership and avoid discrimination or favouritism in the workplace. All employees should be given a chance to contribute ideas, regardless of their positions in the organisation, for instance. This will not only encourage everyone to share opinions but it will also create a stress-free work environment as everyone receives equal treatment.

Author Stephen Covey said: “Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers”.

Courtesy of New Straits Times

4 December 2014