ETHICS AND PERSONAL ETIQUETTE

May 2, 2023

ETHICS AND PERSONAL ETIQUETTEThis presentation will follow the underlisted sequence.

Definitions: Morals Values Ethics • Why do we need Ethics?• Who are our stakeholders?• What are our responsibilities towards the stakeholders?• Health Ethics?• Communication Ethics?• Personal Etiquettes?

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Morals: Are personal beliefs which determine the degree of an individual conformity to a known or clearly defined corporate ethic. Morals encompass one’s expectations of oneself.

Ethics: Can be regarded as a society’s or firm’s beliefs which determine the kind of behavior expected from their members.

• It is the guiding philosophy or principles of conduct governing the behavior of individuals in a group or society.

 • Ethics refers to the rules or principles that define right or

wrong conduct. • It is all about an organizational work culture.

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Values: A sustained and deeply held preference for a mode of acting, being or achieving which generally influence attitudes and behavior.

Core values: Are the organization’s essential and enduring tenets which must not be compromised for financial gain or short-term expediency e.g. integrity, honesty, transparency, patriotism etc. Why do we need Ethics?An organization generally tends to be viewed as a moral agent. Consequently, what an organization does is as relevant as how it achieves results.

Ethical principles must not be compromised on the altar of an overwhelming and unjustifiable desire for profitability. An organization therefore owes its stakeholders the responsibility of moral/ethical rectitude in all facets of its operations. May 2, 20234

The following are the benefits of owning ethical principles by an organization:• Organizations are often judged by how they act, hence the

need for upholding and improving reputation. • Ethical principles provide a road map for all to follow. • Employer/ Employee agree on common values for the

organization, enhancing good relations and mutual trust. • Employee commitment, and thus productivity is enhanced –

there is focus in operation.

• Operating ethically minimizes litigation and builds confidence.

• Organizations guided by ethical principles clearly have more competitive edge over others. For example, values like integrity, honesty and transparency are difficult to copy. Unethically operated businesses are short-lived.  May 2, 20235

CUSTOMERS AS STAKEHOLDERSNNPC shall deal with all customers with the highest degree of honesty, integrity and decorum. • Our relationship with our customers shall be symbiotic---

mutually beneficial interests shall promoted. • Customers shall be regarded as the arbiter of our

performance--- a feedback mechanism shall always be encouraged.

 • We shall strive to meet or exceed customers’ agreed

specifications at competitive prices.

• We shall deliver high quality products and services safely. • We shall strive to keep our promises to customers. 

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EMPLOYEES AS STAKEHOLDERSEmployees are the heart, muscle and mind of the business and NNPC owes them the following obligations:• NNPC shall be honest with employees about the business and

staff prospects. • Employees shall be paid fairly, in relation to similar industry. • Employees are to be seen as human individuals and therefore

be treated with dignity. • NNPC shall keep both verbal and written contracts, and should

not take advantage of employees. • NNPC shall protect the Health, Safety, and Security of staff

against potential hazards in its business. • An open- door policy shall be operated to enhance

communication at all levels.May 2, 20237

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Every employee shall be duty bound to:

• Respect all rules, regulations and instructions made by the Corporation or given by Supervisors.

 • Demonstrate full loyalty, dedication and devotion to the

Corporation. • Avoid disorderly conduct and actions against the

Corporation’s interest. • Never divulge secret or confidential information. • Never indulge in acts of gratification or inducement from

customers, collusion with customers shall constitute conflict of interest.

  May 2, 20238

SUPPLIERS AS STAKEHOLDERS

Fair play and transparency shall be the hallmark in the choice of Suppliers in our businesses. • We shall be honest in all matters of negotiation. • We shall avoid the receipts of off- specification materials. • Gratification or any form of inducement shall be

considered fraudulent. • Our behavior to Suppliers shall be graceful.

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SOCIETY AS STAKEHOLDERSAs a parastatal established by the Federal Government, and owned by Nigerians, it shall continue to perform its statutory functions in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic. To this end, it shall:

• Provide honest information to the authorities when required. • NNPC shall not as an entity participate in partisan political

activities such as funding of political parties, support for political candidates, or be involved in campaigns and electioneering. However, where its corporate interests are involved, it shall make its views known to the government.

 • Consequently, where an employee of the Corporation intends

to participate in politics, he or she shall do so in his/her personal capacity and within the existing laws of the land. May 2, 202310

LOCAL COMMUNITIES AS STAKEHOLDERS

NNPC strives to achieve the following obligations:

• Discharge our duties with the highest degree of responsibility, and be sensitive to Community norms and values.

 • Ensure that our operations do not put local people at

risk. • Seek to be involved in local amenity projects. • Participate in the training and development of youths in

our local Community where practicable. • Appropriate channels of communication shall be

established with the local Community. 

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COMPETITORS AS STAKEHOLDERSNNPC does not believe in ‘Warfare” strategies with its competitors and therefore adopts the following ethics:

• Seek to compete freely, fairly and profitably within the tenets of the law.

 • Shall not engage in acts of deceit to Customers in order to

gain competitive advantages. • Shall not be involved in the sale of competitive information. • Advertising shall be prudent and aimed at promoting

honestly our own competence. • We shall avoid gratification, and any form of inducement in

order to undo competitors. • Maintains wholesome channels of communications with

competitors.  May 2, 202312

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The promotion of Safety and Environmental Protection is a mutual obligation for management and employees. The Corporation’s policy in this regard is to:

• Prevent injury to personnel, damage to property, pollution to environment and protection of everyone from work hazards and diseases.

 • In case of pollution, to promptly control, clean-up,

rehabilitate and minimize the negative socio-economic effects of pollution.

 

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HEALTH

• NNPC shall undertake to identify and evaluate |Health Risk that may potentially affect its employees as well as the Public and initiate appropriate preventive measures.

 • NNPC shall determine at the time of employment and

thereafter, as appropriate, the medical fitness of employees to do their work without undue risk to themselves or others.

 • NNPC shall provide or arrange for services necessary for

the treatment of employee illnesses, including occupational illnesses or injuries and handling medical emergencies.

 • No employee shall be discriminated against on account of

his illness.

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COMMUNICATION

NNPC as a Government Organization, as a Business concern, places a lot of premium on effective communication. It believes that communication is the life-blood of any organization.

To this end, NNPC shall keep an open-door policy, such that all activities of the Organization are made transparent.

Amongst employees, free communication is encouraged at all levels. Any activity, or intention considered inimical to our operations shall be reported promptly through appropriate channels.

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What is Etiquette? According to Oxford Dictionary, etiquette is “the formal standards or rules of correct and polite behaviour in society or among members of a profession”Etiquette is:

• Good upbringing• Good manners• Civility• Consciousness• Graciousness• Suavity• Empathy in acting and reacting• Pleasant attitude

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Personal etiquette has a direct relationship with our business ethics. When we cultivate and practice good personal etiquettes, our business ethics will always be on track.

Good personal/ business etiquettes will reflect in the way we:

• Write and answer memos/ letters.• Conduct/ attend/ business meetings (no lateness and

rancorous behaviours at meetings) . • Come and close at work.• Interact at all levels without coming down at all levels.• Receive or make telephone calls – Never say ‘hello: Just

introduce yourself. - Followed by greeting.

- Never hang up before the caller.

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MORE NOTEWORTHY ETIQUETTES:1. Handshakes: must be firm, brief, direct and professional.

• Don’t sit down to shake anybody.• Don’t offer your hand to a senior first.• For men, don’t shake a lady unless she initiates it.• Timid handshake depicts lack of confidence.• The bone crusher handshake does not impress.2. Introductions• Don’t guess if you forget a name.• Introduce from junior to senior but acknowledge from senior

to junior.• When being introduced, rise up, step forward, smile and give

your name if required.May 2, 202318

3. Toxic Traits which• Distract from your poise.• Rub off negatively on people.• Make you repulsive to people may include:

i) Offensive physical Acts: Bad hygiene, dandruff, halitosis (bad breath), body odours.

ii) Outward display of tasteless behaviours:

• Pinching pimples, rashes, scabs, sores.• Scratching.• Nose/ ears/ teeth picking.• Spitting, belching and passing gas.

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iii Others include:

• Display of belligerence toward customers.• Frequent arguments with coworkers.• Talking in harder than normal voice.• Refusal to obey corporate rules• Stalking• Noisy gum-chewing.• Being too inquisitive.• Having running mouth.• Discussing taboo topics in public, etc. 

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4. Office RomanceThe Nigerian Constitution accord for the freedom of associaton. However, you must remember that just as business has its ethics, association in the office equally has its own ethics.

It is adviced that associations and associates must :

• Be purposeful and not adventurous.• Very conscientious and not arbitrary.• Hold each other’s rights and privacy inviolate.• Draw a line between romance and your primary office

assignments.• Avoid private maneuvers in the office.• Be matured to handle all emotional problems that may arise

therefrom.If the association or relationship leads to matrimony, YOU ARE WELCOME.  

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DRESS CODEThis is a written or more often, unwritten rules with regard to clothing.Your dressing have built-in signals which give messages about you. The message may include Gender, Income, Occupation, Social Class, Fashion, Traditions and Personal or cultural identity.

For the avoidance of doubt, the following constitute improper dressing to work:• Spaghetti tops worn without blazers/jackets.• Jeans without jackets (Jeans allowed on Fridays ONLY).• Tops that reveal cleavages.• Low waist trousers that reveal underwears.• Halter neck.• Leggings.• Extremely short dresees /skirts. May 2, 202322

Remember that how you dress to a large extent, determines how you are addressed.

The Security and Management are empowered to turn you away from the office if not properly dressed. I am sure you cannot afford this embarrassment. 

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THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

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