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.

The Business Travel Talk

Whenever I sent an employee of mine on a business trip for the first time, I always invited them into my office to explain corporate policy and the unwritten rules of representing the company on the road. The following is a genericized version of this talk, which I hope will be helpful for people early in their career. Sometimes no one tells you the unwritten stuff until you get in trouble. I believe in helping people stay out of trouble.

First of all, understand that the opportunity to travel for business is a privilege, not a right. We are putting our trust in you to represent the company appropriately. If you don’t follow travel policies, the privilege will be taken away.

Make your reservations though the travel office. They will apply the policies as far as preferred airlines and prices. You will be flying coach, and may sometimes be booked on connecting flights if the price differential is substantial and the connection time is reasonable.

You have been provided with a corporate credit card to be used exclusively for your business expenses. Use of your corporate card for personal expenses is an offense that would result in termination of your employment. Keep all of your travel receipts, as you will be required to submit them with your expense report at the conclusion of your travel.

The company will reimburse you for the cost of getting to and from the airport. You can take a taxi or use your personal car. (No limos or town cars.) If you choose to use your own car, keep track of your mileage, as you will be compensated at a per mile rate. You will also be reimbursed for airport parking. Rent a car at your destination only if doing so will be cheaper than using a taxi to get where you need to go. Do not drink and drive.

You are entitled to three meals a day. Be reasonable. Don’t eat lobster every night, but I’m not telling you to eat all your meals at McDonalds either. The company does not pay for alcoholic beverages, except in cases where you have been authorized to entertain customers. Your after-hours entertainment (e.g. movies, shows) are not reimbursable. Laundry/valet expenses are not paid by the company, unless the length of your trip exceeds three nights. Use your judgment, and know that I will be reviewing your expense account in detail.

At all times during your trip, you are representing the company (even when traveling outside normal business hours). Your attire should never be overly casual, and you should be well groomed. For work and meetings with clients, dress appropriately for their environment. It’s always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed.

Congratulations. Have fun. Work hard. Make us proud. Don’t get arrested, because I won’t bail you out.