What if the boss asks you about something unethical

Layfhaker explains what to do if the boss asks to lie to the customer, close your eyes to a manufacturing defect, to bribe or otherwise violate the law.

Eliminate possible misunderstandings

To begin, talk to the manager and see if you have correctly understood his request. If everything is correct, please explain why you find it difficult it perform. You can refer to the company's charter or the corresponding article of the administrative or penal code.

Try to offer a legitimate alternative to the chief, which will help achieve the desired result.

Take out the situation on the extensive discussion

If you understand that the problem face to face to resolve does not work, or if you realize that the head of an agreement in any case will not succeed, we must go further. In large companies have special departments that receive complaints from employees. If possible, apply to this section. If your company do not exist, try to talk to superiors, but first assess risks.

Maybe your complaint does not pay attention. As often happens, if the unethical actions of the benefit of the company or its management. In this case, the only way - to make dirty linen in public. Think about how to seek help from the media or to the relevant authorities.

Assess the risks

Argue that violate the rules of ethics and the law can not always simple. In fact, do the right thing is much more complicated.

Advance assess the potential risks from the fact that you go counter to your boss and will complain. Whether it be limited to the deprivation of premiums or you can dismiss? Can you afford to stay out of work? How much you are a good relationship with the leadership?

Think about dismissal

If your financial situation is not critical and you can relatively easily get another job, think of resignation, if your complaint came to nothing lead. One unethical request to deal hardly limited, so at the current workplace you constantly have to compromise with his conscience.