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

Doing the Right Thing for the Right Reasons

I believe we must persistently advocate for a more ethical workplace, even though we may not win all the battles. In my mind, whistle-blowers acting in good faith—and with the right motivations—are the heroes of the workplace today. These are the people who see sins of omission or commission and have the courage to take action by speaking up. And isn’t this the heart and soul of the Ethical Office?

Ilja Kraag, assistant to David Lerman, MD, JD, in Pasadena, California, says:

I have been and will be a whistle-blower again, if I need to be. These people have a big heart for the company and are the watchdogs that prevent or interrupt anything that can hurt the organization. That can range from colleagues stealing supplies, supervisors claiming nonexisting expenses, lying to customers, falsifying records, and similar misbehavior. A whistle-blower does not look for petty information to use to get even with colleagues or supervisors they don’t like.

Ilja raises an excellent point here: for every hero who is motivated by advancing an ethical workplace, there are, unfortunately, those who are motivated by the wrong reasons.

This is why you must be certain that your motives are above reproach. If you are due for a poor performance review, are competing for a promotion, or are about to receive your final bad-conduct notice, your self-interests compromise your ethical stance. Honestly, is your conscience clear? Expect to be asked if you have participated ...