Ethical Conflicts

[Ashley]

So I was just contacted by a head hunter who saw my profile on LinkedIn (yes, I am awesome) about a position. We spoke about it for a while and I was considering it but then they said the name of the company. I won't say what it was (just in case) but there's an ethical conflict (with me being an animal loving hippie).

 

It's not a butchers or anything, and there's a chance I wouldn't have to deal with that aspect of their business, but it made me question it.

 

Would you be willing to bend your ethics (to a degree, if so what degree?) for a job, or something else?

 

I'm not a butcher firebombing card-carrying PETA member or anything, so it's not like it's a complete write-off, but it did give me pause.

 

So now I press play on you.

 

WORD PLAY!

[Ramar]

I had several meetings and spent a whole day at a company shadowing someone only to turn down the job because I thought their business was unethical.

 

It wasn't the job I had issues with, more the way I observed how they treated some of their customers (especially some that had learning difficulties). I don't think I told them I disagreed on ethical grounds, I think I just bullshitted a "it's not for me excuse".

[Dannyboy-the-Dane]

It's pretty hard to say anything general about. It all depends on the specifics. But yeah, of course, in all likelihood there are a number of things I wouldn't stand for or support.

[Daft]

We live in an amoral universe. Screw ethics.

[Emma]

The parents of the children I teach come into my class every morning for 20 minutes. I try to get on with them really well (even though I despise most of them) as it makes everything a lot easier. I often find myself verbally agreeing with them on things I know they are wrong about. It does bother me, but I know agreeing with them is easier than having them shouting off at me or bitching to the head.

 

There's greater ethical aspects to my job that I completely disagree with, such as children living shitty lives, but it's not considered shitty enough for social services to become involved. It's a big thing I've got to deal with, and I try to do the best I can... but I'm already stretched too much. It does weigh on my conscious though.

 

conscious....conscience?!?

Edited December 6, 2012 by Emma
Spelling derp.

[MoogleViper]

I think I would bend them quite far. Although I'm thinking more about companies that I disagree with their business practice. If it was something they did, I might think about, but would probably take it anyway, at least as a stepping stone to get something better.

 

Would your job give you any capacity to improve things, even if only slightly?

[Ashley]

I think I would bend them quite far. Although I'm thinking more about companies that I disagree with their business practice. If it was something they did, I might think about, but would probably take it anyway, at least as a stepping stone to get something better.

 

Would your job give you any capacity to improve things, even if only slightly?

 

It's not what they do is done in an unethical manner, it's their whole business model is based around a practice that doesn't marry up with my ethics (but, I'm aware, not wider social ethics).

[Cube]

You've been asked to model for Maybelline, haven't you? And you don't agree with their animal testing.

 

I would probably turn down a job with Apple due to "ethical" reasons.

[arab_freak]

Up until my second year in uni I was very keen on getting into the advertising industry, but a socialist rationale was mysteriously instilled in me and I grew to dislike working for corporate propaganda and the like. The field of media was still something I loved and imagined working within, so I chose to narrow my career options to putting my work and skills into what I see as for the greater good.

 

Still, like Daft mentioned, I see the world as more or less amoral, so I still recognize the reasons (and sometimes necessity) to slave away for companies that effectively fuck people over. I haven't worked a serious job for one, but I think if my options were tied, I'd begrudgingly do it.

Edited December 6, 2012 by arab_freak

[The Peeps]

I'd turn down a job if it seriously conflicted with my ethical beliefs but if it's only minor... like if I was vegetarian but I was offered a desk job at a company that sells tinned meat, that's more of a personal thing so if I was in need of a job I'd still take it. If it was working for a company that makes mustard gas for children or something, I wouldn't take it :p

 

There are ethical conflicts and there are personal discrepancies. If it's a real ethical dilemma, don't go for the job. Ultimately you'd never be happy in your work even if it was just a small thing so it's best to avoid it if you can I think.

[Debug Mode]

It's not a butchers or anything, and there's a chance I wouldn't have to deal with that aspect of their business, but it made me question it.

 

Petrol bomb it any way.

[Mr_Odwin]

Is there anything good about the company @Ashley? Any angle you can think about it that makes it okay?

I work for a company that sells market research to pharma companies. Big money and medicine together makes me a little uneasy, but it's the way of the world. However, there's a positive spin on my work - we help pharma companies to target patient sub-populations more effectively so that people that would benefit from their drugs get their drugs. So ... it helps people ... too?

[Iun]

Considering I'd kill most people I know for enough money, no, this wouldn't bother me.

[Agent Gibbs]

remind me to keep away from Iun......

 

 

it depends how unethical it is, what in conflicts with AND do you actually realise how unethical it is

 

I work in a government job and quite a lot of stuff i have to deal with is unethical, due to political dealings and bias and i didn't realise how bad it was until i worked here for some time, if i had i wouldn't have taken the job, i think

 

 

The worst thing is, i've actually taken somethings on board, in that i am very very cynical now compared to when i started, after seeing first hand what corrupt politics in the work place can breed.

[Rummy]

If it was a company that I ethically disagreed with, I don't think I'd sell out for the money. However, where's the line drawn on good/bad ethics? I'd bend my own ethics to myself, but no one else; if that makes sense. My current job(research, as it happens) talks about 'ethics' a lot as part of research, some of which are sometimes a bit silly/overboard - however I would never do anything I thought was majorly unethical - if I don't agree with it, I don't agree with it. If I decide to do something, even if iffy on it, I've in part decided I'm happy to do it, and would take responsibility if it came down to it that I played a part.

 

If I worked for a company with unethical practises...hmm. I think I wouldn't like to directly conflict on my own ethics, the rest of it though - if it's something *I* haven't actually done/been involved in - I'd probably have a clear conscience. Is that bad?

[Iun]

remind me to keep away from Iun......

 

 

 

Meh, don't think anyone wants you dead, so we're cool.

[MoogleViper]

Meh, don't think anyone wants you dead, so we're cool.

 

Not enough to pay for it anyway.

[Iun]

Not enough to pay for it anyway.

 

Shame, I need some cash. And remember: I'll be back in the UK from next Sunday - why not "surprise" someone you hate and give yourself an early Christmas present?

[Agent Gibbs]

i'd rather see the life leave their eyes myself

[/creepyness]

[Ashley]

I think I'm going to turn it down for a number of reasons. It's near Heathrow so journey and cost is considerable. When I told the guy how much I'm on he said it was " in the same area, which I'm taking to mean less. Going to stick to my plan to go freelance instead.