ABSTRACT:

The authors examined the prevailing work ethics, determined the degree of compliance to ethical standards, and investigated the relationship between work ethics and service delivery in selected local government councils in Osun State, Nigeria. These were with a view to providing information on the problem of administration at the local government level, especially as it relates to work ethics and service delivery. The study showed that the prevailing work ethics in the selected local government councils were negative, as workers in general exhibit poor work ethics. The results also showed that the degree of compliance with ethical standards in the selected local government councils and nature of employment is significant (ɤ = 0.093, p< 0.05); but no significant relationship was found between the level of compliance with ethical standards and rural-urban dichotomy (ɤ = 0.046, p>0.05). Also, the study revealed that there was a significant relationship between work ethics and service delivery (r = 0.130, p<0.05). The study concluded that there was a positive significant relationship between work ethics and service delivery in local government councils as achievement of development in the local government is a function of adherence to ethical practices.