Examine Your Ethics

Last night on TV I watched a grown man cry because he was faced with a professional challenge that violated his personal ethics. (Yes, I’ve been watching Celebrity Apprentice again. Blush.) In the most recent challenge, the candidates were given a charity fund-raising challenge. All the money would go to the winning project leader’s charity – not to the individual charities of each fundraiser.

This challenge didn’t sit well with project manager and famous rocker and actor Meat Loaf. He was beside himself emotionally, struggling with the idea that he was calling in favors to raise money that might not go to his charity. Meat Loaf asked Trump to change the rules, but was rebuffed and told that the show was about winning and if he won the challenge, he would get the money.*

This episode and Meat Loaf’s ethical dilemma made me think about personal ethics in a work environment. How often are corporate employees asked to do something that they know is wrong? Do you know where and how to draw the line and avoid violating your personal ethics? Most established companies have an official ethics policy, but in some circumstances there are gray areas subject to interpretation. In other cases, violations of ethics are perpetrated by senior executives. It’s not easy to say no when your job may be at risk. So what do you do?

1. CLEAR UP POSSIBLE MISUNDERSTANDING: You could be misinterpreting what you are being asked to do. Ask specific and probing questions to insure you have a clear picture of what is being asked of you.

2. SUGGEST AN ALTERNATIVE PATH: Recommend another option for action that avoids the ethical issue.

3. COMMUNICATE YOUR DISCOMFORT: In a calm, professional, and straightforward manner, explain to your boss what is making you uncomfortable. If you can reference your company’s ethics policy in a specific way – do so. Do this with a “help me understand” attitude.

4. RESPECTFULLY REFUSE: You can refuse to do wrong. This takes guts, but your unscrupulous boss may back down if you stand firm.

5. ASK FOR HELP: If you are sure you are being asked to do something unethical, and your immediate supervisor is unresponsive to your concerns – go over their head to upper management or to Human Resources for help.

6. LOOK FOR ANOTHER POSITION: If you are working for a supervisor or a company that is proving to be unprincipled, you may need to move on to protect yourself and be happy.

7. TAKE LEGAL ACTION: This is, of course, a last resort. It’s a lengthy and expensive road – but could be necessary depending on the stakes involved.

At some point in a long career, you will face ethical challenges. Stay true to your own standards, and you can avoid losing sleep over uncertainty and regret.

*How did Celebrity Apprentice end? First, another candidate (country star John Rich) promised to personally contribute the donations “lost” to Meat Loaf’s charity if his team fell short in the competition. That was an amazing act of generosity. Second, Meat Loaf’s team won, so he gained $190,000 to give to his charity.