ETHICAL ISSUES IN MAINTENANCE PERSONNELS

ETHICAL ISSUES AS TO THE MAINTENANCE CHIEF

The chief of the maintenance division is both a master and a slave of his position. A master as to
the people who work under him but a slave as to the people over him. In the advent of diversification of
the management of governmental affairs, It is inevitable that protocols be establish in order to attain
the ends of its purpose. In business parlance, it is termed as micromanagement. For this to be possible,
it is necessary that people holding key positions of the government should have good discernment with
regards to decision making and risk reduction.
Supervision and Control
The chief of the maintenance division is vested with power as well as a burden. The fact that
there is someone higher than him/her prescribes a limit to his mobility and supervisory powers for the
very reason that his actions are merely dictated by his/her superior. Nevertheless, his actions reflect the
directions of his superior and the output of his personnel reflects on him. For this reason, a balance of
independent judgement and outright obedience should be achieved in order to attain an outstanding
outcome.
Conflict with Other Chief Personnel
It is also unavoidable that there be conflicts between the different chiefs as to the
implementation of a common project. In a certain project, there could be two or three divisions that
would be involved in its implementation. Lack of coordination between the different division chiefs
would result to an unorganized work schedule and unnecessary ego rivalry between the people
involved. Nevertheless, this could be resolved through observance of proper work etiquette. In order to
have an orderly implementation and avoid conflicts, it is necessary to conduct coordination meeting.
Any misunderstanding could be resolved with a conversation upfront rather than back mouthing.
Employment and Promotions
As to the labourers and rank and file employees, the chief has either direct or indirect
supervision and control over them. Nevertheless, it is sometimes unavoidable that a chief should handle
situations involving the people under him particularly lay-offs, disciplinary actions, terminations and the
like thereby hurting the people involved. This matters involves the financial stability and livelihood of
every person under him. With this, it is apparent that issues with regards to parasitism or more
commonly known as SIPSIP system or better yet known as PALAKASAN system is inevitable in order
to hold on to employment. Nevertheless, retention of employment should be based on performance
and not how often a person treats you to lunch or dinner or how often he gives you gift or any other
considerations.
Filipinos are very well known for being family-oriented people. Hence, it is undeniable that
people holding key position in the government are prone to giving preference to his/her relatives either
by consanguinity or affinity. This is highly prohibited specially in governmental functions whereby the
head of such department/division places his/her relative up to the 4
th
civil degree either by
consanguinity or affinity in his/her direct supervision. This is termed as NEPOTISM. In order to prevent
this from happening, it would be necessary that the chief should just inhibit himself from taking actions
in furtherance of his position involving relatives.
Commissioning of Projects
In a bidding process involving government projects, a certain procedure is undertaken to justify
the fairness and validity of the process. However, some bidders wants to guarantee that they get the bid
at the price they want. Hence, this results to the Under the Table system or the LAGAY system
whereby the bidders try to buy out their preference in the bidding process. This is ethically and morally
wrong. A possible solution to this is to have a better dissemination of information with regards to the
bidding process in order to facilitate more participation in public biddings.
Security of Tenure
The Chief of the Maintenance division is also an employee of the District Engineer. Hence, he
should continuously prove himself to his superiors and see to it that directives are done according to
instructions. This could lead to passive work and autonomy of judgement is rarely achieved. However,
the chiefs tenure of office is at stake when the outcomes of his personnel are unlikely. Being a boss is a
pleasure coupled with burdens. In order to hold on to such position, it is required that he/she possess
good leadership. This could be achieved by continuously undertaking career developments and
continuous professional education.
ETHICAL ISSUES AS TO THE RANK AND FILE EMPLOYEES
Security of Tenure and Promotions
Each and every employee of the Maintenance Division has his/her family to support and a job to
keep. Every person needs to work either for self-worth or for his/her own survival. As in the phrase
Love your job so your job will keep you. Unfortunately, it does not always work that way due to
circumstances such as rivalry and competition. Better yet, it should be phrased as Survival of the
fittest. Good thing, the law protects employees from being unlawfully terminated. Unfortunately, the
law only protects you from illegal termination and not unjust treatment whereby another person is
favoured over you. This circumstances is brought about by the PALAKASAN system. As an example, In
the evaluation of promotions, people closely related to the chief or people with strong connections
are favoured due to the string that they are attached to. This kind of practice could be prevented by
observing proper conduct at the workplace and providing punishments for unjust treatment of
employees in the law.
Respect
Hierarchy is a given in a certain organization. The fact that a person is higher in rank than
another is the very reason that the latter owes respect to the former. Lack of respect is an ethical
concern in a workplace as when an employee questions the competency and judgement of his/her
superior as regards to matters in which the superior is entrusted with. Respect is essential in the
workplace. Hence, any disrespect should be dealt accordingly.
Bullying
Bullying is a form of a crime whereby one person unjustly treats another for any reasons or none
at all. In a workplace, it is unlikely that new employees are given more errands than old employees of
the same position as the former. This is the SENIORITY system whereby an older or an aged employee
takes undue advantage of new or younger employees because they think they are more superior than
the latter when they occupy the same position in the office. It is unjust and inhumane. This matters
should be dealt with accordingly. In the advent of the anti-bullying law, this matter is not just an office
matter but a legal matter that should be dealt with stringent punishments.
Dress Codes/Attire
Dress codes are necessary to make the workplace more conducive as to set standards to
conduct and uniformity. It is necessary because Maintenance division officers and employees are
engaged in public service and it is necessary to be presentable to the public. Nevertheless, some
employees do not follow this standards either because they are not afraid, or just because they forgot.
This issue is not that significant, hence it could be resolved by setting fines that would later accrue to the
purchase of new attires.
Punctuality/Absenteeism/Slacking off
Under the principle of no work, no pay, an employee is only entitled compensation
commensurate to the service rendered. Some employees either absent themselves or even if present,
slack of during work time without realizing the consequences of such actions. This could be resolved by
giving incentives to good outcomes, perfect attendance and punctuality awards.
Stealing
There are many forms of stealing. It could be in the form of unlawfully taking what is not yours or taking
what is more than necessary or using less than what is necessary. It all boils down to unjust enrichment
of oneself. There are many reasons for stealing but the means does not justify the ends. Some of this
reasons include the fact that rank and file employees have a salary which is not sufficient to sustain their
family needs; Vengeance for maltreatment of co-workers; Necessity; and even sickness such as people
who are kleptomaniac. Disciplinary actions for this kinds of acts includes but not limited to suspensions
or terminations. This could be lessened through providing stricter penal provisions for theft or
dishonesty and increasing the wages of rank and file employees.