The Tennessee Technology Center of Crossville has designed a formal program to address poor work ethics. The program provides activities and knowledge needed to promote positive work habits. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that 80 % of workers who lose their jobs do so not because of lack of occupational skills, but because of poor work ethics. Business and industry leaders have identified essential work ethics that should be taught and practiced in order to develop a viable and effective workforce. The ten work ethics traits are stated below.
| Attendance: Attends class, arrives/leaves on time; notifies instructor in advance of planned absences; makes up assignment punctually. |
| Character: Displays loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, dependability, reliability, initiative, self-discipline, and self-responsibility. |
| Teamwork: Respects rights of others; is a team worker, is cooperative; is assertive; displays a customer service attitude; seeks opportunities for continuous learning; displays mannerly behavior. |
| Appearance: Displays appropriate dress, grooming, hygiene, and etiquette. |
| Attitude: Demonstrates a positive attitude; appears self-confident; has realistic expectations of self. |
| Productivity: Follows safety practices; conserves materials; keeps work area neat and clean; follows directions/procedures. |
| Organizational Skills: Manifest skill in personal management, time management, prioritizing, flexibility, stress management, and dealing with change. |
| Communication: Displays appropriate nonverbal and verbal skills. |
| Respect: Deals appropriately with cultural/racial diversity; does not engage in harassment of any kind. |
| Cooperation: Displays leadership skills; appropriately handles criticism and complaints; demonstrates problem-solving capability; maintains appropriate relationships with supervisors and peers; follows chain of command. |
Three primary results of the Work Ethics Program make it a winning proposition for all concerned. These results are: