CHAPTER 9

A. Title of the lesson

Work Ethics
B. Introduction

Work ethics is refers to a set of values that are defined and characterized by
diligence and hard work. It is also a belief in the moral benefit of work and its ability to
enhance character. Work ethics is basically the belief that work is a good moral. Good work
ethics involve determining what is right or wrong in the workplace, and then doing the right
thing. The right to life implies the right to work. Working is the means by which man can
preserve his life.

C. Objectives
At the end of the lesson the students should be able to:
 Define and identify the meaning of work and the reasons why working is both a right
and duty.
 Values the importance of understanding factors of determining wages, having mutual
agreement between capital and labor, and joining in a union of the workers.
 Define and identify the capital and labor and how they are related to each other.
 Define the term family wage.
 Interpret the rights to labor and duties of the workers and employers.
 Identifies the morality of strike, morality and personnel management.
 Appreciate the importance of work ethics.
 Describe a good work ethics.
D. Activity/Motivation

*The class will be divided into 2 groups. Group 1 will be at my left side and group 2 will be at
my right side.

Direction: Find and encircle the given words N M O M N C F V R T F Q

in the puzzle as they are arranged vertically, O I C O T A G R I B A R
horizontally, diagonally, or even upside down. B N D R E P K T G L M H
The group who will first to finish the activity R I S A R I M Y H F I Y
shall be declared as winner. K M T L A T O A T C L D
Capital Work Labor P U S I L A Q K S N Y J
P M I T Z L S L L D W U
Rights Unionism Morality B W R Y R Y A N N B A S
U A O L N I N B S U G T
Family Wage Minimum Wage M G I R M S K E O D E I
D E B S K N L E A R E C
Justice Strike
S N U N I O N I S M R E
 E. Content-Topic

The Meaning of Work

Working is both a right and duty. Work is legitimate use of our mental and bodily powers
for economic gain or profit.

1. Work is the use or application of our physical powers to accomplish a task. It is “use”
because nobody can own another person’s body, nor can anyone sell his body, any part or
function of it. We say “legitimate use” because not every activity which provides income,
is not work in the moral and legal sense. Thus, stealing is not work; neither is prostitution
since it debases the human body and dignity.
2. Work is for the purpose of obtaining an economic gain for the worker. It belongs to the
essence of work that it is compensated. Such compensation is based on justice and takes
the form of a wage or salary. Any form of slavery or forced labor is immoral.

The Right to Work

Working is both a right and a duty. The right to work derives from the right to life. Man
has basic needs which must be satisfied in order for him to survive. Therefore, the right to life
implies that a person has to right to private property, to those means necessary for him to sustain
himself and his dependents. Pope Leo XIII makes states:

“When a man engages in remunerative labor, the very reason and motive of his work is to
obtain property and to hold it as his own private possession. If one main hires out to another his
strength or his industry, he does this for the purpose of receiving in return what is necessary for
food and living; he thereby expressly proposes to acquire a full and real right, not only to the
remuneration, but also to disposal of that remuneration as he pleases… But it is precisely in this
power of disposal that ownership consists, whether the property be land or movable
goods.”(Encyclical on Condition of Labor, in Five Great Encyclucals, p3)

The Duty to Work

Work aims to promote life. It is a natural duty since every person is endowed with bodily
and mental powers to that he may take care of himself and not become a burden to others. This
obligation is a greater responsibility when one becomes the head of a family. “ For it is a most
sacred law of nature”, says Pope Leo XIII, “that a father must provide food and all necessities for
those whom he has begotten; and, similarly, nature dictates that a man’s children, who carry one,
as it were, and continue his personality, should keep themselves from want and misery in the
uncertainties of this mortal life.”

Laziness is evil. A man who is habitually lazy does not deserve to eat or to be fed,
according to the Bible, In Dederes de los Hijos del Pueblo (Duties of the sons of the country),
Andres Bonifacio says that “the work which sustains you is the basis of love, love for oneself,
love for the wife and children, love for the brothers and countrymen”.

Capital and Labor

Capital refers to the owner or investors of an industry. Labor refers to the hired workers
employed by the industry. Capital and labor compliment each other. Unfortunately, their
relationship is often strained.

The labor code of the Philippines defines the relationship between capital and labor. But
no amount of legislation can truly harmonize men unless everyone submits to the concept of
justice and acts accordingly. Jaime Cardinal Sin writes: “peace is the fruit of justice which
requires, first of all, that persons and their inalienable human rights are promoted and defended.
It demanded that in the realm of industrial relations, the reciprocal rights and duties of both labor
and management are respected and promoted” (Pastoral Letter, Industrial Peace: A Christian
Imperative, May 1990)

The Question of Wage

The question of wage, how much labor should be paid and how much capital is willing to
pay, is often the bone of contention. It is claimed that wages are fixed by mutual agreement
between capital and labor. In practice, however, what is “mutual agreement” is the dictate of
Capital or management, offered to workers on “take it or leave it” basis. This is clearly unfair to
workers who, because of poverty, end up rationalizing their acceptance of such condition
“mabuti na sa wala”.

Leo XIII condemns this unfair labor practice and warns capital: “Doubtless before we can
decide whether wages are adequate, many things have to be considered; but rich men and
masters should remember this – that to exercise pressure for the sake of gain, upon the indigent
and destitute, and to make one’s profit out of the need of another, is condemned by all laws,
human and divine. To defraud any one of wages that are his due is a crime which cries to the
avenging anger of Heaven”

In the Philippines, the determination of the minimum wage is the responsibility of National
Wage Board and the Regional Tripartite Wage Board. The aim is to establish a system of
standards that would assure wages as fair and equitable to both capital and labor.

The Family Wage

The minimum wage may not necessarily commensurate for workers to maintain a modest
standard of living. Way back in May 1949, the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines have
proposed that a just wage is “the family wage”, that is, one which commensurate to the needs of
a modest average family. We quote the document because the concept is relevant today as it was
before since the economic situation had hardly changed:
 “In the present economy the great bulk of the country’s land and wealth are possessed by a
small minority to whom the rest must come for work. Such an economy can be justified only if
this great majority of the people can obtain in return for their work a wage that will supply them
with the minimum human standard of living which we have defined above; a wage, namely, that
will enable a man to provide a sufficiency of decent food and clothing for himself and his family,
a decent home, security for sickness and old age, and the means and leisure for moderate and
wholesome recreation. To all of these every man has strict right; and when the only means by
which a man can obtain them is in exchange for his labor, he must be able to obtain them in
exchange for his labor. In other words, a man’s labor must be worth at least a wage that
guarantees him all these. Such a wage we call “family wage”

Factors for Determining Wages

Pope John XXIII declares that in determining wages “the norms of justice and equity
should be strictly observed”. In Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher), 1962) he writes:

“This requires that workers receive a wage sufficient to lead a life worthy of man and to
fulfil family responsibilities properly. But in determining what constitutes an appropriate wage,
the following must necessarily be taken into account: First of all, the contribution of individuals
to the economic effort; the economic state of the enterprise within which they work; the
requirements of each community, especially as regards over-all employment; finally, what
concerns the common good of all peoples, namely, of the various states associated among
themselves, but differing in character and extent”.

The Rights of Labor

The Philippines is a signatory to the United Nations International Covenant on Economic,

Social and Cultural Rights. We cite pertinent provisions.

1. The State Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the
opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take
appropriate steps to safeguard this right (Part III, art. 6).
2. The State Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the
enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work, which ensure, in particular:
a) Remuneration which provides all workers as a minimum: (i) Fair wages and equal
remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, in particular
women being guaranteed conditions of work not inferior to those enjoyed by men,
with equal pay for equal work; and (ii) A decent living for themselves and their
families in accordance with the provisions of the present Covenant;
b) Safe and healthy working conditions;
c) Equal opportunity for everyone to be promoted in his employment to an appropriate
higher level, subject to no considerations other than those of seniority and
competence;
 d) Rest , leisure and reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with
pay, as well as remuneration for public holidays (Art.7)
3. The State Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure:
a) The right of everyone to form trade unions and join the trade union of his choice
subject only to the rules of the organization concerned, for the promotion and
protection of his economic and social interests. No restriction may be place on the
exercise of this right other than those prescribed by law and which are necessary in a
democratic society in the interests of national security or public order or the
protection of the rights and freedom of others;
b) The rights of trade unions to establish national federations or confederations and the
right of the latter to form or join international trade union organizations;
c) The right of trade unions to function freely subject to no limitations other than those
prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of
national security or public order or for the protection of the rights and freedom of
others;
d) The right to strike, provided that it is exercised in conformity with the laws of the
particular country (Art. 8)

Unionism

Every worker has a right to join a union in order to protect his livelihood and to cooperate
in building social order. The Catholic Bishops declare that “it is morally wrong, (and in our
country a crime punishable by law), for anyone to interfere with this natural right either by
threats or by discrimination against those who join such associations” (Pastoral Letter on Social
Justice).

Labor, if it is unorganized, can have no effective voice to protect its rights and to bargain
collectively with Capital. Therefore, for as long as unions are peaceful and seek their objectives
by lawful means, they are beneficial to the members and to society as a whole.

Morality of Strike

A strike is an organized cessation of work by workers for the purpose of forcing

management to meet their work related demands, such as increase in wages and benefits, or
improve working conditions. For a strike to be legal, it must be in accordance with the rules
defined by the Department of Labor. For it to be morally permissible, the following conditions
must apply:

1. There is a sufficient and just reason for holding a strike. A strike should not be resorted to
unless all other means of conciliation or dialogue with management had been tried.
2. The intended good results must outweigh the evil effects of the strikes, such as losing a
week’s wages, or incurring the ire of industry officials.
 3. The means employed are lawful. Threats, harassment, or physical violence should not be
employed either by labor and capital to attain their respective purpose.

Morality and Personnel Management

Morality is founded on justice. Hence, any attempt at personnel management must be

guide by what is just. The nuances of a human relation are so broad for law to cover all aspects.
Often, it is the spirit of the law rather than the cold legal technicalities which solve problems.
Cardinal Jaime Sin invokes the principle of charity and solidarity in a pastoral letter, stating:

“Despite their many conflicting interest, people belong to the world of labor and that of
capital must realize that they all share humanity and must embrace each other as brothers and
sisters and decide to live as such. Efforts to attain industrial peace will recede when and where
persons are looked upon with hatred and scorn; they make progress when and where persons are
embraced in respect and love. Love and solidarity call upon labor and management to go beyond
the narrow confines of their groups and work for the common good of the country and for the
attainment of peace for everyone.” (Industrial Peace: A Christian Imperative)

Basic Duties of Workers

1. Work honestly and diligently.

2. Comply with all rules of the workplace.
3. Respect the employer and officers.
4. Don’t cheat or steal.
5. Don’t waste time.

Basic Duties of Employers

1. Compensate workers justly.

2. Treat workers as your equal.
3. Provide safe and healthy environment.
4. Allow time for vacation.
5. Don’t impose unjust rules.

F. Generalization/Summary

Working is both a right and duty. Work is legitimate use of our mental and bodily
powers for economic gain or profit. Capital is refers to the owner or investors of an
industry while labor is refers to the hired workers employed by the industry. Wages are
fixed by mutual agreement between capital and labor. Mutual agreement is the dictate of
Capital or management, offered to workers on “take it or leave it” basis. In determining
wages “the norms of justice and equity should be strictly observed”. Every worker has a
 right to join a union in order to protect his livelihood and to cooperate in building social
order.
A strike is an organized cessation of work by workers for the purpose of forcing
management to meet their work related demands. For a strike to be legal, it must be in
accordance with the rules defined by the Department of Labor. Morality is founded on
justice. Hence, any attempt at personnel management must be guide by what is just. Both
workers and employers have their duties to do in working.

G. Evaluation

Direction: Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Why do we have the right to work?
2. Does the right to life imply the right to work? Why? Why not?
3. What moral virtues should define the relation between capital and labor?
4. What is meant by “family wage”?
5. When is a labor strike legal and moral?

H. Application

Direction: Based on the given action scenarios, determine the level of work ethics of every
main character whether it is strong, average or weak and then explain your response. Take
note that you can use the basic duties of workers as your guide in answering.

1. Bobby wanted to earn extra money, so his parents helped him get a job delivering
papers. He had to wake up every morning at 5 a.m. to fold the newspapers. He would
then pack them in the sack on his bike and ride around the neighbourhood, throw the
paper on the driveways. A few times, his toss was off and the paper landed on the wet
grass. He knew he should probably return to the house and place the paper on the
driveway, but his aim usually was accurate. He figured he could always pretend he didn’t
notice especially if no one complained. Bobby really didn’t like the job, but he forced
himself to do it every morning. About three months into the job, he decided it wasn’t
worth the extra money. He told his boss that he wanted to quit, but offered to complete
the last week of the month because he knew they would have to find a new delivery
person.
2. Johnny started his own business mowing lawns in his neighbourhood. He mows the
lawn at three houses on Saturdays, but he really hopes to get more customers. On
Wednesday evening, Johnny’s mother escorted him from door to door, where he
introduced himself, offered his services, and left each neighbor with a piece of paper he
had made with his name and phone number. That Friday, two neighbors called to hire
him to mow their lawns. On Saturday, he woke up early and completed mowing the
lawns of all five houses. Johnny noticed that one of his customers, Mrs. Collins, had a
 flowerbed full of weeds. After he finished mowing her lawn, he spent an extra half hour
pulling the weeds out of her garden. As she paid him for mowing the lawn, she noticed
the work he had done on her flowerbed. She was so pleased; she offered him an
additional 500 pesos. Johnny politely refused, stating that it was all just part of the job.

I. Reading

Industrial Peace: A Christian Imperative

Jaime Cardinal Sin
(Excerpt from the Pastoral Letter on the celebration of Industrial Peace Month, May
1990)
We are, however, obliged as pastors to point out some fundamental Christian and
moral principles and values that are indispensable if we are to attain and promote true and
authentic industrial peace. These basic principles are:
a) Justice: Peace is the fruit of justice which requires, first of all, that persons and their
inalienable human rights are promoted and defended. It demands that in the realm of
industrial relations, the reciprocal rights and duties of both labor and management are
respected and promoted. Where no justice reigns, true peace cannot be.
b) Respect for the Personalities and Values of Labor: Labor is, first of all, an activity
that proceeds from the human person as its proper subject and is primarily directed to
the good of persons. From the Christian standpoint, the primary basis of the value of
labor is the person himself who carries it out. Thus, labor possesses an inherently
personal character and value that may not be compromised if we are to attain true and
lasting industrial peace.
c) Priority of Labor over capital: The personal value of labor demands that capital
should serve labor and not the other way around. Capital can never be set as an
economic entity over and above the human person and his work. Neither should
capital be opposed to labor or labor to capital, “and still less can the actual people
behind those concepts be opposed to each othe: (Laborem Exercens, no.13).
d) The Principle of Charity and Solidarity: Despite their many conflicting interests,
people belonging to the world of labor and that of capital must realize that they all
share the same humanity and must embrace each other as brothers and sisters and
decide to live as such. Efforts to attain industrial peace will recede when and where
persons are looked upon with hatred and scorn; they make progress when and where
persons are embraced in respect and love. Love and solidarity call upon labor and
management to go beyond the narrow confines of their groups and work for the
common good of the country and for the attainment of peace for everyone.
e) True Dialogue in Search of the Common Good: Conflicts must be resolved by
means of peaceful and honest dialogue.
True dialogue presupposes the willingness to search for what is true, good
and just for every group, for everyone. It is, in the word of John Paul II as: “search for
 what is and what remains common to people, even in the midst of tension,
oppositions and conflicts” (Message for World Day Peace, 1983). Dialogue demands
openness and willingness to listen to, and feel, the situation of other party. Finally,
true dialogue is the search for what is good by peaceful means. The participants in
dialogue must be determined “to act in such a way that the factors which bring people
together will be victorious over the factors of division and hate” (ibid).

J. Enhancement/Assignment
Read the excerpt entitled “Industrial Peace: A Christian Imperative” by Jaime
Cardinal Sin and then make a short reflection paper composed of not less than 500 words
written in a short coupon bond. Make sure that the given format should be followed. Font
style: Times New Roman, Font size: 12, Spacing: 1.15, Margin: normal.

K. References

Presented By:

Andrew F. Rabal

Christy Ann M. Viray