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

Informal Ethics Discussions Can Resolve Ethical Dilemmas

When an ethical dilemma does arise, try to pull the person affected aside immediately or shortly thereafter. Ask questions like “What’s going on?” or “Are you certain this is the right thing to do?” or similar inquiry. Many people quickly correct themselves, especially when they have had informal discussions beforehand.

Formal ethics discussions are beyond the domain of this book. Your human resources department, company lawyers, and similar decision makers should determine what will be said to whom, and in what manner. By the time official conversations like this take place, the informal discussions have probably failed, and it’s probably beyond your control. Formal procedures regarding ethics are always costly for the company to resolve (due to attorney fees, settlement costs, etc.). This is why casual exchanges are preferable; they are faster, less complicated, and less expensive responses.