Pamela Brown
Texas Cooperative Extension
Texas A&M University
Rt. 3, Box 213AA
Lubbock, TX 79403-9790
(806) 746-4055, (806) 746-4057 fax

Texans Building Character in the Workforce Campaign was a pilot project designed to effect positive changes in workforce behavior. The project encouraged employers and employees to consider how work ethics promote positive personal behavior that affects workers, the organization, customers and family relationships.

The program was developed from a needs assessment process in which citizens expressed concern about worker ethics. A multi-disciplinary Extension team developed the pilot project. Twelve character traits were identified as necessary character traits to promote organizational success. The project targeted employers and workers from privately owned and city/county government departments in two rural counties. Support materials were developed and a one-day training conducted for owner/managers from 11 businesses. Materials included bilingual (English/Spanish) posters, payroll inserts, and leaflets for workers, and a training guide for employers. The campaign lasted 12 months and was implemented using strategies identified by owner/managers.

Results from the year long project, involving 1,049 employees, indicate an awareness of the relationship of trust, responsibility and loyalty to workplace performance. A post project survey measured employee attitudes toward eleven character traits. Results from the survey indicate a stronger awareness of character traits and their impact on both work and home and areas in which employees changed attitudes at work and at home. Employers indicated the project was successful, identified remaining challenges, and made suggestions for additional programming options. Materials and training is being implemented in additional selected counties.

PowerPoint presentation (PDF format, 207 kb)