Ethics and Values for Co-op Students in the Workplace

Ethics and Values: The need for student awareness of workplace value systems

K. Zegwaard and M. Campbell

This derives from some changes that have taken place at the primary and secondary educational institution levels. "Values are deeply held beliefs about what is important and desirable, expressed through the ways we think and act." (New Zealand, MoE 2007).

Relative to Co-op, students are socialized to the new (?) workplace values. It can be conscious or unconscious. They are obviously expected to adhere to these. Compare to Kohlberg's stages of moral development.

Recommended principle values: integrity, respect, self-motivation, self-confidence, and responsibility. There were many "sub values".

More work is required to identify the values that are best represented in the workplace.

Nonetheless, the learning of the appreciation of ethics is what is necessary. What should students do if their values conflict? What if the workplace value system is flawed? What if there is a disconnect with the stated and actual values in the workplace?

Students need to be able to recognize their own values. The need to be able to recognize the workplace values. they need to be able to reflect on and navigate the workplace ethical issues.