Leading by example, even when it hurts...
I can share a wealth of knowledge regarding this topic. I have been personally faced with the following conundrum:
What does an employee do when his/her boss requests (with the threat of termination) that you do something that is unethical?
The situation I'm relating occurred over 20 years ago--I was a manager in charge of a project which was failing to generate the data my supervisor wanted to see. The supervisor demanded that I produce (aka fabricate) the desired data or lose my job. My choice was clear.
I took the blame for the failure of the project and quit the job.
While I didn't approve of my supervisor's behavior, it was not my place to criticize my supervisor and allow others working on the project to become aware of it while potentially putting their jobs in jeopardy.
This was the most difficult decision I had ever made, but it did the least harm to the least number of people.
The outcome, ultimately, was that (after many years), the initial results of the project produced during my tenure were proven accurate, and, ultimately, a new approach was adapted.
In a sense, I was vindicated.
I welcome any input
Unfortunately, I think many of us are faced with unethical decisions. I too was face with a decision that involved a patient record. I quit my job over what I was asked to do.
I have unfortunately been in the same sort of conundrum Richard but I work in healthcare. I refused to fabricate information in order for the facility to receive more money and accolades. That in turn would have decreased the quality of care the patient received and I refused to be unethical and act immorally.
I did eventually quit the job and explained to my employees that there are times when things are out of my hands but what I do have control of is the care that a patient receives from me (I did not go into detail about what my boss had tried to do - she was eventually fired). Therefore, my patient will receive the proper quality care that they not only expect, but are used to receiving from me; all while maintaining the policies and procedures of the company. Practices at the company have since been changed in order for a situation of that magnitude to not occur again.
There has to be a better solution...how could it be ok to quit your job under these pretenses?...In the big picture, I do not think this is how everything should have turned out. There must be a better alternative.
I can understand how this could result in a dilemma and your actions at the time of your decision and later made you feel better. You were unselfish and were thinking about the team more than yourself, however, I would hope there might have been an alternative solution, perhaps a person you could have spoken with or reported the manager to. Even though it turned out for the better, the burden could have gone to someone else on the team and so forth and so on until there was not anyone left to fabricate the data but like you stated it all worked out for the better, so it was the right choice, however, I curious about that particular culture.
Michael
When a Manager/Boss asks an employee to participate in a/an unethical act(s), this to me would be considered harassment, and somewhat similar to quid pro quo.
I think many of us face something questionable or unethical in the workplace. Years ago, when I worked in the mental health field, we were constantly asked to do something that went against policy because it was supposedly better for the client.
This is always a difficult situation to handle. Personal I would seek help from others in dealing with this situation and continously ask questions about it in order to understand and come out with the right/moral choice. If that is compromised; not sure I would want to work at that place anymore.
I have done the same thing. There are too many positions out there to go against moral standards. Yes, customers, clients, and students come first. However, there must be a line drawn somewhere.
I agree. I know there has to be more to what was going on, especially since the writer stated that this was the best outcome with the fewest repercussions, but leaving a situation like this is burying your head in the sand. It is fixing the problem for you, but leaving an unethical situation behind. I'm sure leaving the job must have been a last resort, and one would certainly feel powerless without some type of support, but the problem is that behavior like this was allowed in the first place. The atmosphere of this workplace must have been toxic.
