How to Handle an Unethical Employer
Bad employer ethics can place individuals and the company in financial, legal and physical jeopardy. Faced with difficult choices, employees may find themselves dealing with additional stress in the workplace. Decisions employees may make include ignoring their employer’s shaky ethics, discussing the matter with their employer, reporting the situation to a higher manager or regulatory agency or leaving the company. Reviewing options and following a plan helps employees choose an appropriate course of action when handling an unethical employer.
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Instructions
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Read your company's code of conduct and any applicable professional codes of conduct. If you work for a large company, your human resources department may have company-specific documents available. Some professions also have mandatory codes of conduct. Examples of these professions include medicine and law.
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Decide whether your employer's actions are unethical. Compare your employer’s actions to the code of conduct. Comparing an employer's actions to written documents helps employees distinguish between unethical behavior and behavior they simply do not like.
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Take over areas of responsibility in which your employer has shown questionable ethics, or request reassignment. In some companies it may be possible to expand your job duties to include the area that is causing you concern. For instance, a human resources specialist may take over the handling of sensitive employee data from a manager who has been using the information inappropriately.
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Talk about your concerns with your employer. If you feel comfortable, a conversation with your employer may help improve the situation. Consider having a meeting with at least one other person present other than you and your employer. If you are concerned that your employer may lie about the discussion later, discuss with an attorney whether recording the meeting is appropriate. Talk with your human resources department if appropriate.
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Keep records of situations and documents that may relate to unethical business practices. Retain documents that detail unethical behavior and record your responses to it. Save emails, phone messages and other materials relating to unethical behavior. Consider keeping a journal recording unethical practices.
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Look for other employment if necessary. If unethical behavior strays into illegal behavior, remaining with the company can expose you to civil penalties or even criminal charges. Searching for other employment before taking additional steps reduces your financial risk and the possibility that a vindictive employer will make finding other work more difficult for you.
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Report unethical behavior to higher management. Present the detailed notes and other documentation you have collected, and be prepared to discuss what steps you have taken to prevent the unethical behavior by your employer. If necessary, be prepared to report unethical practices to professional associations or the appropriate government agencies.
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Tips & Warnings
Some large companies provide employees with phone numbers they can call to report unethical behavior anonymously.Ask your human resources office if this is an option available to you.
References
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