I.                PREAMBLE

 

        This NDIC Culture Handbook contains the major core values and key elements of the corporate culture of the NDIC family.  It is designed as reference materials that will acquaint members of the NDIC staff of the cherished and preferred values that are very dear to the Corporation.

 

It is our belief that the cultural milieu envisaged in this Handbook will be a major driver that will help the Corporation achieved its vision ”To become one of the leading Deposit Insurers in the World”.

 

Every staff of the Corporation is therefore enjoined to carefully study and internalize the cultural values stated in this Handbook and to live and practice it daily in the performance of the their duties.  Indeed, it is expected that the cultural values highlighted in this Handbook will drive every process of the Corporation.  It is therefore the responsibility of every staff to bring these values to bear on all processes involved in their duties.

 

Corporate Culture refers to “a mix of values, attitudes, norms, habits, traditions, behaviours and rituals that, in their totality, are unique to the given organization”.  It is commonly used to refer to “the way things are done around here” or “what management and other stakeholders consider important and how employees should behave in the particular organization.

A.     ELEMENTS OF NDIC CULTURE

1.1      Shared Values

i.            We care deeply about customers, depositors and clients

ii.           We care about employees

iii.          Services (know, meet and surpass our customers’ needs/expectations)

iv.          Commitment to Service Delivery

v.           Ownership (Participate actively)

vi.          We value team work

vii.          Respect others, behave with integrity

viii.         Have passion for excellence and dislike administrative bottle-necks

ix.          We are opened to ideas from anywhere

x.           We see change as opportunity not threat

xi.          We value hard work that leads to positive results

xii.          Hold each employee accountable for results

xiii.         Believe in leadership by example

xiv.         Value timeliness in service delivery

xv.          Value quality of work/service delivery

xvi.         Value responsiveness to the needs of stakeholders

xvii.        Believe in effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery

xviii.       Believe in being proactive and innovative in solving problems

xix.         We are highly professional and discipline is our watch word.

 

1.2        Communication in the Work Place

·                    Use of  English Language only (both oral and written)

·                    Use of telephone, e-mail, fax

·                    Mode of address: First name to all, but starting with “please” (general staff)’ “Please sir” (Executive/Superior staff)

·                    Rational debate and use of suggestion box are acceptable ways of offering opinion

·                    Confidential Information must be discretely handled and those to be amply circulated must be made available and readily shared among employees.

                     1.3      Membership of the Corporation

·                 Permanent staff

·                 Family members of staff

·                 Retired staff

 

1.4       Performance Linked Reward

·                 We Punish failure to perform

·                 We reward performance

 

1.5        Handling of Visitors

·                 Visitors to be received in restricted areas.  Senior and junior staff including casual and temporary staff should always comply with this directive.

·                 However, only Executive staff could receive in their rooms (privilege).

 

1.6       Food

·                 Canteen is provided and promoted by the NDIC Cooperative group.

·                 No eating or transfer/movement of food within the office, except tea/coffee/biscuit (in restricted areas).

·                 Working lunches are provided and eaten (in restricted areas only).

·                 No alcoholic drinks on premises

·                 Mineral drinks only

 

1.5       Meetings

·                 U-shape sitting arrangement for all meetings (depts./units)

·                 No particular order of sitting, except where the HOD/Unit is provided with a Head chair and a table.

 

1.6      Group and Network

·                 We encourage formal/informal groups in furtherance of formal duties and activities only.

·                 We encourage use of internet and intranet infrastructures in the office for official work assignment.

 

1.7      Home and Work

·                 We respect members of our families, and show concern for their welfare.

·                 We show positive attitude towards domestic crisis, once such are made known officially.

 

1.8       Handling Conflict

·                 We avoid disruptive conflicts and avoid situations that could result in these.

·                 We avoid actions and pronouncements that could disrupt peace and harmony at work and among staff and management.

·                 We have disciplinary procedure in place to handle disagreements when they occur.

1.9       Socialization

·              Promoted through the use of common facilities (e.g., toilets, canteen/dinning, clubs for executive staff)

·              Celebrate success e.g. staff promotion/upgrading etc

·              Celebrate staff birthdays

 

1.10       Work Organization and Discipline

·                 Flexibility in changing roles at work( accept every official job assigned to you by staff)

·                 Focus on key results/performance targets/standards

·                 Discipline should be voluntary, i.e., self-discipline

·                 Punctuality is required ( office opens in the morning at 8 am and closes at 4 p.m, except where extra work demands extension of time beyond closing hours).

·                 Use of time clocks (movement, attendance, closing, reporting registers are provided, use them).

 

1.11       Management and Leadership Style

·                 We encourage consultative or participative style in relating with members of staff.  Ask questions when in doubt and avoid rumor mongering.

·                 Use of Committees and task forces are encouraged in getting complex job done in the Corporation. Cooperate with members of the Committees/task forces when they seek your assistance.

 

1.12      Treatment of People

·                 Show concern for staff and their family members

·                 Treat people equitably without favouritism.

·                 Show respect for individual rights.

·                 Take advantage of training and development opportunities when provided, particularly learning opportunities in your work assignment.

·                 Show openness, humility and be ready to learn from others.

         1.13      Financial Transaction

·        Avoid stealing or pilfering; once caught, you are dismissed and handled over to the police (where criminal in nature).

·        Do not accept or give bribe, gratification  etc

·        Expenses to staff, customers, clients to be paid easily, without much querying, but due process followed

·        Handle cash for payment to staff carefully and put in safe custody.

 

1.14      Use of Space

·                 Allocation of office space (Décor, location, size by status

·                 Open plan (for senior/junior staff)

·                 Higher partitions for managers and above

·                 Labeling/analogue to facilitate ease of entry to the Corporation, department and offices.

·                 Differentiated Toilets (executive, staff, and visitors/restricted areas)

·                 State of building (clean)

 

1.15      Fixtures and Fittings

·                 Ensure office furniture (expensive and meet ergonomics requirement) are secured and protected from damage.

·                 Tables/Chairs differentiated by position/office held are protected from damage.

·                 Furniture, fixtures and fittings (Décor): Bright and always kept tidy.

·                 Highly maintained.

All employees are expected to behave in desired ways , complying with the rules and regulations governing good practice, and subscribing to  the code of conduct of the Corporation, and  ensuring strict adherence to the “Dos” and “Don’ts” of the Corporation as specified in the  Condition of Service Handbook.

Boundary issues

However, there are what can be described as boundary issues, pertaining to some exceptions in the conduct of people. An understanding of our culture must consider:

1.                   Respect  Differences

·                    Language spoken (e.g., Yoruba, Hausa, Ibo) can be used but not within official meetings/discussions.

·                    Mode of dress (native dress)

·                    Religion (Christianity/Islam/Others) can be practiced with respect for each other.

·                    Entertainment/Social events (e.g., music, use of alcohol) used in restricted areas, after approval from Management.

 

2.                    Respect Sex (e.g. Toilet, Dressing room, etc)

 

3.                   Respect Hierarchy: Positions, status