You've Got to Be Kidding!: How to Keep Your Job Without Losing Your Integrity

Take Care of Yourself

I cannot overstate the importance of protecting yourself, especially before it becomes too late to do anything meaningful. Regardless of what your boss has instructed you to do, you are totally accountable for your own actions in today’s business world. No matter what happens, you have to defend yourself against legal action as well as physical, financial, and emotional harm.

Whatever the situation—your supervisor is harassing you, you see a coworker stealing, your manager asks you to lie for her, or you unexpectedly discover an explosive file of compromising e-mails—document the incident for your protection. Do not confuse character with compromise. If you feel that it’s absolutely necessary to do something you consider questionable, safeguard yourself with documentation that makes your ethical position clear, even if it is nothing more than a “memo to self.” And don’t forget: at the end of the day, you’re the only one who has to look at yourself in the mirror. Be careful not to compromise your personal morals and values, even when those around you behave in a manner to which you object. Your choices and decisions define who you are.

Taking care of yourself also means taking care of the reputation of your industry and your profession by adhering to agreed-upon standards. Most industries have their own versions of a code of ethics, all of which are readily accessible online through your search engine. For example, the legal, medical, accounting, real estate, ...