20 ‘BE’S’ OF WORK ETHICS HIGHLIGHT WHY PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE MATTERS
What if professional excellence is not only about how much you know, but about how you choose to work when nobody is watching?
In an age when digital tools are transforming public administration, experts at the Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji (FEDPOLEL), Ondo State, have returned attention to something technology cannot replace: ethics. Oluwaseyi Elizabeth Jimoh reports.
FEDPOLEL REGISTRY RETREAT: 20 ‘BE’S’ FOR WORKPLACE EXCELLENCE
At the institution’s 2nd Registry Retreat, participants were challenged to see punctuality, honesty, accountability, confidentiality, teamwork and continuous learning not merely as workplace expectations, but as the foundation of professional excellence and responsible public service.
The message was crystallised in 20 simple but powerful “Be’s” of Work Ethics unveiled by the Deputy Registrar and Head of the Division of General Administration and Council Affairs, Mr Rasaq Adebayo, during his lecture, “Ethics, Confidentiality and Professional Conduct in Public Service.”
His central argument was clear: an organisation may have sophisticated systems and digital platforms, but its credibility ultimately depends on the character and conduct of the people operating them.
Adebayo stressed that public servants occupy a position of trust, making honesty, accountability, integrity, humility and confidentiality indispensable to their daily responsibilities.
He particularly warned that workers handling personal information and official records must treat confidentiality as an ethical obligation, noting that the progress of any organisation depends on the ethical values, trust, accuracy and level of confidentiality demonstrated by its workforce.
Adebayo presented 20 simple but powerful “Be’s” of Work Ethics, describing them as practical principles capable of shaping responsible, productive and trustworthy workers.
The 20 ‘Be’s’ of Work Ethics:
Be on time to work.
Be at work every day and demonstrate reliability.
Be interested in your job and organisation.
Be enthusiastic and maintain a positive mental attitude.
Be ready to give 100 per cent effort and always do your best.
Be honest and trustworthy.
Be willing and eager to learn.
Be willing to ask questions.
Be drug-free, safety-aware and health-conscious.
Be a positive leader, whether as a worker or supervisor.
Be loyal to your organisation and responsibilities.
Be willing to make suggestions and put your mind to work to improve the organisation.
Be responsible for your assigned work and passionate about what you do.
Be ready to work with a team, recognising that individual performance must contribute to agreed organisational goals.
Be quality-minded and committed to continuous improvement.
Be conscious that organisational success matters and contribute to making the organisation resourceful.
Be ready to do things right the first time.
Be willing to learn from other people and adopt practices that work.
Be responsible for making good choices for yourself and your teammates.
Be a balanced person and regularly evaluate yourself.
For Adebayo, however, the list goes beyond routine workplace behaviour. At its heart are the deeper values of honesty, accountability, integrity and humility.
He emphasised that public servants handle information and responsibilities that affect the lives and interests of other people. Confidentiality, therefore, is not simply an administrative requirement but an ethical responsibility.
The Head of Service of Ondo State, Chief Segun Odusanya, in his keynote address, also stressed the need to marry technological advancement with professional excellence.
According to him, technology alone could not deliver excellence, as its true value depended on the competence, adaptability and commitment of the people operating the systems.
Similarly, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Ademola Ebeloku, warned that digital transformation must be accompanied by integrity, discipline, commitment, confidentiality and courtesy.
He also urged staff to remain vigilant about data security and responsible use of technology, noting that institutional records were valuable assets that must be protected against unauthorised access, loss, manipulation or misuse.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to dignitaries, invited guests and about six outstanding Registry workers received cash prizes and awards in recognition of their diligence and professional competence
The retreat ultimately reinforced the view that the modern Registry worker must not only know how to use technology but must also know how to use it responsibly, ethically and professionally.
Watch the highlights of the event
