Explain the need for and role of discipline in the public services
by
tewd001 (student)
Dawn Wittich
Gold B
29-11-2012
Understanding Discipline
REF: U.D.1
Understanding discipline
Discipline
Task one- P1- explain the need for and role of discipline in the public services. This should be done under two separate headings. Include the 'day in the life of a public servant'. Highlight and explain the discipline aspects. This should be done under two separate headings.
Task two- M1- justify the need for and role of discipline in the public services.
Task three- D1- the impact of discipline in the public services.
Need for discipline in the public services
For the public services to run smoothly and effectively employees need to have discipline. The need for discipline is to encourage organisation and efficiency in the public services. It helps to improve productivity and to keep the team focused on the task ahead. Discipline puts structure within the team, as members need to have clear responsibilities and know their role in the team. If the public services had no structure then it would look unprofessional to the public and nothing would get done. Discipline enforces and maintains order as employees need to be able to follow and obey orders and instructions. This is because different tasks will need to be carried out in different ways ensuring that it’s safe and is completed in the manner needed. For example in the armed forces soldiers need to take caution and be aware of the safety assents when firing a weapon. Discipline is important as it enforces rules and regulations. Rules can be written and can be in the form of a custom, codes of conducts that have been adapted by a society. For example in the police there are codes of conduct in which a police officer needs to abide by the need for discipline to make sure that targets are met or completed as without discipline employees will not carry out the task correctly, properly or to the standards needed. For example if the army had no discipline soldier wouldn't follow orders and bother to try their best as there would be no punishment if their job wasn't done properly. The need for discipline is important as it enforces hierarchical as higher rank officers have more authority and power. They have the right to enforce obedience, delegate power and their opinion is accepted because their of expertise. This is important as if employees had no rulers or regulation on how they should behave, then employees would be free to do what they want without any consequences or punishment and the task would not get completed in the time frame given. If employees had no discipline then there would be a failure or refusal to carry out lawful orders resulting in disorganisation and confusion.
