How a Teenager Can Demonstrate Work Ethics, in an Office, in Babysitting - Essay Example

501736 2 Pages (500 words) Describe what work ethic means. Cite an example of how a teenager can demonstrate work ethics, in an office in babysitting. I believe that work ethics are something that an individual develops overtime. Sometimes this happens because they watch their parents go to work every day, and at other times they may develop them because of the way they are taught. The Business Dictionary, work ethic is the value of hard work that is instilled in employees. I agree with this definition, but the question is, how does this work ethic become instilled in an employee?

The answer to the question is that work ethic is based on the idea that most people have about what this concept means. As an example, most people think that if you are doing your job, if you are showing up on time, and if you are listening to what your boss says to do, then you are showing a good work ethic. If you are not doing these things, then they say you have a poor work ethic. We can also break the two words down. As an example, work is what most people would know as something we do in order to get paid.

It is also something that could be defined as a job, a drudgery, or something that just has to be done whether we like it or not (Miller, n.d.). Work is something that everyone must do at sometime in their life and it can be working for something else or working for themselves. Ethics on the other hand are something that each individual creates for their own lives. Work ethics can be defined as reliability, trustworthiness, a willingness to learn, a willingness to work, and a willingness to work collaboratively when necessary (Miller, n.d.).

With this in mind, we can use the example of a child who is doing their first job as a babysitter. When someone hires a babysitter, they are expecting the individual to know how to take care of their child, whether it is an infant or young child. Most people would suggest that a babysitter is needed for children who are infants to twelve years old. This would mean that the babysitter would have to be old enough to take care of these children. They would have to know what the child would need in each situation, and they would have to be responsible enough to make sure that the children had their needs met.

This would mean that the babysitter would give them food, probably play with them, change them if needed, and put them down for naps or for sleep in the evening. These would show that the individual was responsible and was capable of doing the job requested. Some babysitters set up contracts with each of the people they work for in order that both sides know exactly what is expected of them. This is a good idea and shows professionalism. Another way that a babysitter can show good work ethics is in being honest.

They must be sure that they can do the type of work required for the child. As an example, if a child has special needs, the parents must spell out the needs of the child. The babysitter must be able to deal with those types of special needs or they are being unethical when they come to the home to babysit this type of child. The babysitter may also want to be certified as a babysitter. The Red Cross now gives classes to teach babysitters what they need to do in each situation. This would add to the babysitter’s professionalism and help them understand how to create better work ethics.

No matter what the situation, an individual can develop good work ethics if the work they do is satisfying to them. They are more prone not to have good work ethics if they are not able to find a job that is interesting to them. References Business Dictionary. (2010). Work ethic. Retrieved February 28, 2011 from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/work-ethic.html Miller, J.L. (n.d.). Survey of literature related to work ethics pedagogy. Florida State University. Retrieved February 28, 2011 from http://fsweb.

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