Best Answers to the question:(ranked by the quality)
1. Holly - August 22 2008 (Answer ID: 439)
I don't feel like this is a probability because I wouldn't hold interest in a company that is rumoured for questionable morals. And if, if I was put in that situation, I would resign because clearly I was mistaken when I thought this was a company that I could be proud to work for. Unethical or illegal practices in the workplace is much like a poison, you may not feel it all at once, but just the same, a part of you will be contaminated by it. I think a company is like a team, a community. We hold the same common goal, we should strive to build each other up, not break each other down.
2. Laurence - July 14 2009 (Answer ID: 2148)
My former employer told me that when i gave orientaion to My new hires, I had to tell them its a priviledge to have what you have here, and there will be work done off the clock.
I told him it that is against the law, and he was more than welcome to them himself because I wasn't going to. I would then bring personal liability to myself.
3. Libra - August 12 2008 (Answer ID: 231)
The answer is obviously to stand behind your convictions and hold your ground. Worst case scenario: if this "unethical" or "illegal" favor is of your employer's dire necessity, you will lose your job. On the other hand, if you play along and the law or other associates blow the whistle, you will get in trouble with a higher level of power than just your employer.
Just a warning, the "my boss made me do it!" is a seldom acceptable excuse in court. Every action will be held accountable to you, ethical or unethical, regardless of who asked or pressured you to.
4. Holly - August 22 2008 (Answer ID: 440)
I don't know if this is a clear example of an "unethical" practice, but my employer at this retail store, wanted to block the sensors on our front door security when employers walked to and fro. By doing so, it wouldn't account for the foot traffic of "non-customers".
From our store's perspective, it made sense since we were employees and it wasn't fair to "deduct" customer purchase stats just because we had to get something from outside. It wasn't clearly "unethical" until we received a mass newsletter stating that no one (store) was allowed to interrupt the "sensor food traffic count" for whatever reason.
Though the law had been laid (or rather, written) down that this was an inexcusable practice, because it looked for "favorably" on our stats, our manager told us to disregard the notice. At that point, I felt conflicted. Who do I listen to? The higher corporate employers who wrote the letter, or my manager whom I see everyday?
I felt like there was a strong disconnect within the two power-holders, and unfairly put the employees in the middle of it. Anyways, I figured as much that I should listen to headquarters before anyone else.. so I did what they asked, despite the dirty looks or reprimanding I got from my manager. But at the end of the day, I think employers/employees all commonly recognize right from wrong. I know this to be true because I never lost my job in spite of going against my managers' wishes.
And I would like to say, to this day, I still feel like I made the correct decision.
5. ME - September 07 2012 (Answer ID: 9240)
My employer just asked me to hire an employee and pay him using a family member not the person hired.
I refused to do this letting them know it was illegal.
Now I'm afraid they will hire this person anyway and since I do the bookkeeping I could get into trouble.
I'm looking for another job, but jobs are few and far between where I live.
I've been an Office Manager for more than 30 years and have never been asked to do anything like this.
Suggest an Answer to the Question or Make a Comment
What would you do if your employer instructed you to do something that was unethical or illegal?
(Question ID: 161) Contributor: Libra
1. Holly - August 22 2008 (Answer ID: 439)
3. Libra - August 12 2008 (Answer ID: 231)
4. Holly - August 22 2008 (Answer ID: 440)
5. ME - September 07 2012 (Answer ID: 9240)