Project Materials

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS REQUIRED TO OFFICE MANAGER IN A CHANGING OFFICE ENVIRONMENT

ABSTRACT

Using managers from 20 randomly chosen SMEs in Owerri Municipal, Imo State, as a case study, this research investigates the conclusions about the professional ethics demanded of office managers in a dynamic work environment. The specific goals of this research were to(1) identify the expected standards of professional ethics for office managers,(2) assess the extent to which these standards have affected office managers’ work, and(3) discover whether or not professional ethics significantly influence office managers’ behaviour. The study’s population consists of 20 responders, all of whom are managers in the selected SMEs; the research design and sampling method employed were survey and purposeful sampling. We used frequency and tables to display and analyse the data. The study’s findings indicate that office managers are guided by a professional ethic that includes honesty, loyalty, confidentiality, multitasking, and cooperation. It turned out that this code of ethics has a major effect on how office managers perform in today’s dynamic workplace. According to the report, leaders should set an example for their employees to follow, address ethical problems, foster an environment where employees can grow professionally, and encourage colleagues to do the same.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study 

While there may be universally accepted moral standards and a society’s or class’s work ethic, there are also specialised codes of conduct for the ever-expanding list of occupations.

Ethical principles can be defined in two ways: first, as a set of generally accepted rules for how people should act; and second, as a set of more nuanced guidelines for how people should behave, outlining specific norms and virtues as well as general guidelines for how people should behave in relation to certain social concerns. Presha, Arnold, Donald, Richard, and Arnold, Bernard (2005).

Further emphasising, they defined ethics as the idea and principle of acceptable human behaviour. It encompasses the study of universal values such all people are fundamentally equal, that everyone has inherent rights, that everyone must obey the law, that everyone must prioritise their own health and safety, and that everyone must do their part to protect the environment.

Based on the definition provided, it appears that ethics is the study of what it means to be ethical and the reasonable duties that should be placed on a specific group of people.

Business organisations rely on employees to carry out various tasks in order to achieve their aims. An indispensable manager is someone who excels at her unique role within the company and who stands out from the crowd thanks to her high standards of ethical behaviour.

The secretary is not immune to the regulations that regulate the conduct of professionals, since many professional organisations have established policies and codes of conduct for its members. The members of these professional organisations uphold these standards of behaviour and morality in all that they do.

In order to keep society’s moral conduct development from coming to a halt, professional ethics are crucial. At the bedside, it strengthens a consistent code in people’s moral lives, which is particularly helpful in situations where the power of basic moral commandments is waning or nonexistent. Furthermore, as a result of heightened social tensions, social systems and regulations supersede one another (Richard, et al 2005).

Office managers are only held to high standards of social and moral behaviour and interest when they demonstrate a level of self-awareness commensurate with the unique demands of their work and the extent to which they adhere to the general principles of these traits. A lack of professional ethics is a devastating and long-lasting effect of the undesirable.

As a rule, professional ethics is associated with fields of study that focus on human behaviour, such as psychology, sociology, and anthropology. In order to maintain the respect and credibility of their profession, individuals in positions of authority such as doctors, attorneys, accountants, and office managers are required to adhere to certain standards of conduct while on the job.

There ought to be a code of conduct for those who work in office management because it is a linked profession to that of office managers. As a result, the project will go over the professional ethics that are necessary for an office manager to do their work well.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Efficient performance of the secretary’s duties includes adhering to professional ethics. The duration of the office manager’s job as a confidential office manager is determined by his ability to keep employees’ and organization’s secrets.

“Is there no other code of conduct or ethics for the professional office manager?” asked Kelinger (1973), in reference to the topic of secrecy and secret keeping. This study aims to address this topic by collecting empirical data on the professional ethics that office managers must uphold in a dynamic work setting.

1.3 Purpose Of The Study

The overarching goal of this research is to identify the standards of professional conduct that modern office managers must uphold.

In particular, the research will aim to:

1. Research the standards of conduct that are considered appropriate for an office manager.

2. Take a look at how the office managers act in relation to these professional ethics.

3. Find out how much of an effect these ethical standards have had on the office manager’s role.

Fourth, find out whether the office managers’ behaviour is significantly affected by professional ethics.

1.4 Research Questions 

To ensure that this research achieves its goal, it will be guided by the following questions. We shall base our decision-making in this project on their feedback.

1. What are the expected standards of conduct for a manager in the workplace?

2. How do you believe these professional ethics impact the office manager’s behaviour?

3. The office manager’s role has been affected by these codes of ethics to what degree?

4. How do professional ethics influence the behaviour of office managers?

1.5 The significance Of the Study

In order to fill in gaps in our understanding of the office manager’s role, this study compiles supplementary data. Both the professionalism and ethical behaviour of office managers will be improved by the study’s conclusions.

The office manager can do their part to boost the secretarial profession’s reputation and social acceptability by staying true to their professional ethics.