Sometimes we may notice some wrong doing at work. Either the accounts guy is fudging numbers, or your colleague may misquote facts in a report or the person on the next desk may leave early without signing out. If such a situation arises, what do you do? Do you turn a blind eye, look the other way or put yourself on the edge by doing something about it?
James Detert, author of “Why Employees Are Afraid To Speak”, suggests that ethical issues, though a cause for alarm, are normal in any work environment. So, while we may want to skirt this issue, it is necessary to know how to respond.
The key may lay in thinking rationally. Whenever an issue of ethics arises, we tend to take a high moral ground, and think emotionally about it. But what the situation demands is a rational thought process.
It is important not only how we think about an ethical issue, but also how we bring it up before the organisation’s notice.
Rationalisation
Often we fear confronting an issue because we fear the negative reaction or hostility that it may raise. But these are just emotional apprehensions. Or shirking off the response by thinking that this is someone else’s responsibility is also an inappropriate reaction.
We need to rationally consider what’s at risk for us and the organisation. If a co-worker takes extra time at the coffee machine while remaining signed in on her system and this happens every day, do you report it? She may be stealing time, but if she manages to efficiently complete her work, should you be bothered by her conduct?
This means you need to take things from the correct perspective. Weigh the pros and cons of your action before you respond to a situation from higher ivory towers of morals and ethics. If the issue is such that it could risk the future of the company, it calls for a different response than a colleague merely stealing off some time on the roster.
Whether you would want to talk to the preparators first or approach the HR also depends on whom are you dealing with and what amount of risk you want to take. It is also better to approach an issue with questions than accusations. This leave rational scope for correction.
In the film ‘The Informant!’, Matt Damon blows the whistle and admits to the authorities of his company’s price fixing corruption. He himself faces many personal turmoil but continues to believe in truth will out.
It can be disturbing to come across an unethical situation at work. With the right mindset and decisions, you can come out safely and with no risk to your work.
