PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND MORALITY REQUIRED OF SECRETARIES IN FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NEKEDE

ABSTRACT

This study was a build up of additional information on the extensions of knowledge in the area of secretarial profession. It stipulated the professional ethics and morality required of secretaries in the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri. Based on the observation that most secretaries are ignorant of the set of codes of conduct required of them in  carrying out their duties in office organization, this research serves as guide to both executives and to employers in recruiting their secretaries. The secretaries oftentimes are faced with difficulties that hinder them from being ethical. 

It is therefore not out of place to conclude that the secretaries, though may encounter some obstacles in the bid to be ethically principled in the workplace, they should also strive hard to handle these obstacles with diplomacy as professional ethics and morals have great positive impact on the job of the secretary. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page                                                              i

Approval                                                               ii

Dedication                                                             iii

Acknowledgement                                                  iv

Abstract                                                                v

Table of contents                                                    vi

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction                                                          1

Background of the Study                                                1

Statement of the problem                                        4

Purpose of the Study                                              5

Research Question                                                  5

Significant of the study                                           6

Scope of the Study                                                 7

CHAPTER TWO

Review of related literature                                      8

Ethics                                                                   8

CHAPTER THREE

Research Methodology                                             29

Research design                                                     29

Area of the study                                                    30

Population of the study                                           30

Sample of the study                                                      30

Instrument for data collection                                         31

Method of data analysis                                           32

CHAPTER FOUR

Presentation and analysis of data                              33

Presentation of data                                                       33

Data Analysis                                                         33

Discussion of findings                                              45

CHAPTER FIVE

Summary of findings, Conclusion and Recommendations 46

Re-statement of problem                                         46

Summary of findings                                               47

Conclusion                                                             49

Recommendations                                                  50

Limitations of the study                                           51

       References                                                      53

       Appendix

       Questionnaires

CHAPTER ONE

 INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

       In as much as, there are acceptable natures of morality and ethical standards of a class or a society, also there exists some specific rules of conduct for the increasingly growing number of professional activities which refer to well rooted standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans, especially the office secretaries ought to do,   usually, in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to the society, fairness in judgment or specific rules and virtues, Richard, Donald, Arnold, Bernard, Presha (2005).

       Elaborating further, they explained ethics as the system of conduct, science of morals or moral soundness which depicts a professional body and its members. By the above definition, one can simply say that ethics is a study that mould ones standard and imposes reasonable obligation on a particular class of people in order to act right. Therefore, a secretary who is indispensable has special jobs she/he performs in the organization and the level of her ethical conduct goes a long way in making him/her outstanding in the workplace. On the other hand, morality refers to an adopted code of conduct within an environment and a set of agreed upon rules for what is right and wrong. Morals have formed the spine of modern society, religion, and every individual’s conscience. For example, “murder is immoral” but on the battle field murder is permissible. In a way, morality is sync with ethics, while morality is abstract in understanding. Ethics is defined in the form of written code, Iweajunwa, Nnorom, Iheukwumere, Uteh, Obeka, (2011).

       Today, many professional bodies have developed policies and professional codes for practitioners and the secretary is not exempted from such rules that govern the behaviour of professionals. These set of codes of conduct are strictly adhered to and inculcated in the discharge or conduct of these professional bodies. Professional ethics and morality play an important role in ensuring the continuity in the moral conduct development of the society. Besides, they enhance a stable code in the moral life of people especially where forces of simple moral commandments grow weaker or flat. The ethics and social behaviour as well as the interest of a secretary is certain only in the extent to which she puts into practice. The general principle of social and moral attributes adopted to the specific features of his/her profession, and the degree of her/his awareness, his/her responsibility to the performance and conduct of his/her job.