Right Attitude to Work – JSS1 Business Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Attitude is the set of feelings, values, beliefs and disposition that make a person act or behave in a certain way. The right attitude to work means carrying out working duties with the appropriate mind and working towards the growth of the organisation. It includes commitment, punctuality, honesty and hard work, and it brings success, respect and happiness.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• explain what attitude is and what the right attitude to work means;
• list the attributes of the right attitude to work;
• state the rewards of the right attitude and the consequences of a negative attitude to work;
• explain punctuality and regularity;
• state the attributes and rewards of punctuality and regularity.

What is attitude?

Attitude involves feelings, values, beliefs and disposition that make individuals act or behave in a certain way. The right attitude to work is the ability to carry out working duties with the appropriate mind and working towards the growth of the organisation.

What is the right attitude to work?

Attributes of the right attitude to work

1. Commitment: dedication to your role and responsibilities.
2. Punctuality: being on time and respecting schedules.
3. Consistency: maintaining reliable performance standards.
4. Honesty: being truthful and transparent in all dealings.
5. Hard work: putting in effort and energy to achieve goals.
6. Diligence: careful and persistent work or effort.
7. Devotion: strong dedication and loyalty to work.

Rewards of the right attitude to work

• It brings success.
• It brings respect.
• It brings happiness.
• It enhances good relationships among workers.

What is a negative attitude to work?

• It is the opposite of the right attitude to work.
• It is a means of showing wrong disposition to work.

Consequences of a negative attitude to work

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Depression
• Low productivity

What are punctuality and regularity?

Punctuality

Punctuality is the quality of being prompt, precise or exact. It is the quality of doing things at an arranged and correct time. It is also the opposite of lateness. A person shows punctuality by arriving for a meeting on time. Arriving a few minutes early is acceptable, but the person must be there at the fixed time.

Regularity

Regularity is the fact that something is well arranged in an organised pattern. Something is regular when it occurs, or is done, within a given time frame. For example, a regular customer may come into a restaurant every day, but not at a fixed time.

Attributes of regularity and punctuality

1. Interest: the feeling that you have when you want to know or learn about something.
2. Commitment: the willingness to work hard and give your energy and time to a job or activity.
3. Self-motivation: the ability to encourage oneself from the inside.
4. Accountability: a regular and punctual worker can prove to be accountable when put in a position of authority.
5. Consistency: the quality of always behaving in the same way or having the same standard.
6. Promptness: acting without delay.

Rewards of punctuality and regularity

1. It leads to high performance.
2. It leads to promotion.
3. It makes a person a better team player.
4. It makes a person devoted to his or her duties.

Evaluation

1. What is attitude in the workplace context?
   A) Only the skills and qualifications needed for a job
   B) Feelings, values, beliefs and disposition that make individuals act or behave in a certain way
   C) The salary and benefits received from work
   D) The physical appearance and dress code at work
2. Which of the following is NOT listed as an attribute of the right attitude to work?
   A) Commitment
   B) Punctuality
   C) Competitiveness
   D) Honesty
3. According to the text, what are the consequences of having a negative attitude to work?
   A) Success and happiness
   B) Promotion and respect
   C) Anxiety, stress, depression and low productivity
   D) Better relationships among workers
4. What is the difference between punctuality and regularity?
   A) Punctuality is being on time at fixed times, while regularity is following an organised pattern within a time frame
   B) Punctuality and regularity mean exactly the same thing
   C) Punctuality is more important than regularity
   D) Regularity is only about being on time for meetings
5. Which of the following is a reward for demonstrating punctuality and regularity at work?
   A) Increased anxiety and stress
   B) Leads to high performance and promotion opportunities
   C) Creates conflict with coworkers
   D) Reduces accountability and responsibility

Answer key

1. B: Feelings, values, beliefs and disposition that make individuals act or behave in a certain way.
2. C: Competitiveness. The text lists commitment, punctuality, consistency, honesty, hard work, diligence and devotion.
3. C: Anxiety, stress, depression and low productivity.
4. A: Punctuality is being on time at fixed times, while regularity is following an organised pattern within a time frame.
5. B: Leads to high performance and promotion opportunities.

Assignment

1. Define attitude and state four attributes of the right attitude to work.
2. List four consequences of a negative attitude to work.
3. Explain punctuality and regularity, and state two rewards of each.