If you find yourself asked by a boss, colleague, or client to do something you don't consider right, what should you do?
A) immediately declare the request unethical
B) explain to the individual how doing what they ask will get you fired
C) record all meetings after the request
D) ask the individual to clarify their request

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Because society changes, your ethical obligations and intersections may also change. Your ethical obligations are dynamic instead of static, and the right decision in earlier cases could prove the wrong guide for decisions in later cases. You may often find yourself in an ethical situation without a clear right or wrong answer or challenge your ethical obligations to one or more of the entities you are associated with. If you find yourself in a situation where your are asked to perform an unethical activity, there are several actions you can take to make an ethical decision:
1. Politely ask to have the situation clarified; perhaps you misjudged their moral considerations.
2. Consider the different cultural perspectives of the situation; perhaps it is not unethical in one of these cultures. If it is not unethical in one's cultural, you might explain how it is perceived as morally wrong in your culture.
3. If explanations and negotiations don't satisfy you and if time allows, visit with a supervisor or mentor for guidance.
4. Review the code of conduct of your profession or company for passages that might support or challenge your position.
5. Explain, in writing, that you don't feel comfortable doing X but you could do Y. This has you suggest an ethical alternative. (Make sure to cite from the passage of text from the Code of Conduct.)
6. Never be impolite or accursing, but make it clear that others are affected by the unethical decision, not just the employer or colleagues, but you and the public, if this is the case.
7. Discuss the situation with your supervisor or mentor (in writing, if possible).
8. Finally, keep in mind that you bring two important credentials to a job: a knowledge of your field and a reputation for integrity in the exercise of this knowledge. If you damage your reputation for integrity, your knowledge of your field can't be trusted. In other words: Always make the decision that you could live with if your decision were made public.

If You Find Yourself Asked by a Boss, Colleague, or Client