Did you know that according to the Global Business Ethics Survey by Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI), nearly 49% of American companies’ employees have noticed violations of their code of ethics? And those are just the ones who got caught! The reality is that most people don’t even realize they’re doing anything wrong. So, this discussion on the top 10 ethical dilemmas in the workplace can help you recognize and avoid uncomfortable situations.
That’s because most codes of ethics are incredibly vague, and what one person sees as an ethical dilemma may not be a big deal to someone else. For example, is it okay to take home a stapler from work? What if you need it for a school project? Is it okay to download sensitive documents from your company’s files and take them home to work on?
These are all examples of ethical issues that people face in the workplace every day. So how do you know if you’re doing something wrong? I also recommend Paul Falcon’s “Workplace Ethics: Mastering Ethical Leadership and Sustaining a Moral Workplace” for more information on developing a more ethical workplace.
Here is a list of top 10 ethical dilemmas in the workplace:
1. Stealing company property
3. Fudging expense reports
4. Taking credit for someone else’s work
5. Gossiping about co-workers
6. Dressing inappropriately
7. Sexual harassment
8. Discrimination
9. Sabotaging a co-worker’s project
10. Talking bad about the company to outsiders
Don’t forget, you can always turn to your human resources staff if you need help on how to handle ethical issues in the workplace. Let’s take a closer look at top 10 ethical dilemma in the workplace examples and solutions for each one:
1. Stealing Company Property
This is one of the most common ethical dilemmas in the workplace. It can be anything from taking a stapler home to downloading company software for your personal use. The line between what’s considered stealing and what’s not can blur in many areas.
Solution: Familiarize yourself with company policies on what is acceptable to take home. If unsure, ask your manager. Return any items taken improperly.
2. Lying on Your Resume
This is a big ethical dilemma in the workplace. With the competition being so tough these days, it’s no wonder that people are tempted to lie on their resumes. But lying about your qualifications is always a bad idea. Not only is it ethically wrong, but if you’re caught, you could be fired.
Solution: Be honest about your skills and experience. Highlight your strengths without fabricating experience. Let your qualifications speak for themselves.
3. Fudging Expense Reports
I’ve been there. You’re on a business trip and you want to treat yourself to a nice dinner. So, you fudge your expense report and claim it as a business meal. It’s not a huge deal, right? Wrong. This is considered fraud and it’s a serious offense. If you’re caught, you could be fired or even jailed.
Solution: Submit accurate expense reports and do not mix personal and business expenses. If unsure about a specific expense, check with your manager first.
Suppose you find an error on your co-worker’s expense report. Do you tell them about it? Or do you let them slide? This is a tough one. On the one hand, you don’t want to get your co-worker in trouble. But on the other hand, if you don’t say anything, you could be accused of being an accomplice.
Solution: Privately bring the error to the coworker’s attention and give them a chance to correct it before reporting it to a manager.
4. Taking Credit for Someone Else’s Work
We’ve all had that co-worker who takes credit for our ideas. It’s frustrating, but it’s also unethical. If you’re caught doing this, you could be fired or demoted. For instance, if you’re a manager and you take credit for your subordinate’s ideas, you’re not only being unethical, but you’re also abusing your power.
Solution: If you caught someone taking credit for your work, politely but firmly confront them. Explain that the work was yours and you would appreciate credit going forward. If it continues, raise the issue with HR.
Read More: 5 Tactics To Deal With Someone Who Is Stealing Sales From Coworkers
5. Gossiping About Co-Workers
Gossiping is one of those things that can be harmless fun or destructive and hurtful. If you’re caught gossiping about co-workers, you may face a reprimand or even termination. According to a recent survey, 55% of men admit to gossiping, and 4 in 5 (79%) women say they’ve gossiped about a co-worker.
Solution: Many people engage in harmless gossip around the water cooler. However, once it becomes vicious or threatens to undermine someone’s authority, it’s better to walk away or steer the conversation in another direction.
Document violations of this and other ethics violations in case you need the information at a later time. I recommend maintaining a discrete journal so that you can record incidents as they occur.
6. Dressing Inappropriately
This one is a bit of a gray area. What’s considered inappropriate dress in the workplace varies from company to company. But generally speaking, it’s best to err on the side of caution and dress conservatively. Suppose you work in a bank. Would you feel comfortable wearing a tank top and mini skirt? Probably not.
The most common clothing violations in the workplace are:
- Wearing revealing clothing: The line between what’s considered revealing and what’s not can be pretty blurry. If you’re not sure, err on the side of caution and cover up.
- Wearing casual clothing: Again, it depends on the company culture. Some workplaces are more casual than others. But in general, it’s best to avoid jeans and t-shirts unless you know it’s okay.
- Wearing wrinkled or dirty clothes: This is just common courtesy. No one wants to work with someone who looks like they just rolled out of bed.
- Wearing clothing with offensive language or images: This is a no-brainer. If you wouldn’t want your boss or a client to see it, don’t wear it to work.
7. Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a serious issue and it’s never okay. If you’re caught doing this, you could be fired or even sued. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it’s defined as “undesirable sexual advances, pleas for sexual favors, and other physical or spoken conduct of a sexual nature.” This includes things like:
- Making lewd comments: This can be anything from telling dirty jokes to making sexual innuendos.
- Making unwanted physical contact: When someone touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s considered sexual harassment. This includes things like hugging, groping, and kissing.
- Displaying sexual pictures or videos: This can include anything from hanging up posters of half-naked women to watching pornography at work.
- Sending sexual emails or text messages: The same rule applies to electronic communications as it does to face-to-face interactions. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it in a text or email.
The study also found that the vast majority of sexual harassment cases (91%) are committed by men against women. However, women can also be guilty of sexual harassment. A friend of mine went through this for months before working up the courage to file a complaint with human resources.
Solution: Refrain from making inappropriate comments, sharing explicit content, or making unwanted physical contact. Report any harassment you witness to HR. Participate in workplace training on appropriate conduct. Speak up if a coworker makes you uncomfortable – make it clear their behavior is unacceptable.
8. Discrimination
Discriminating against someone based on their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation is never okay. If you’re caught doing this, you could be sued or even jailed. This can include things like:
- Making racist or sexist jokes: Jokes about race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation are never appropriate in the workplace.
- Refusing to work with someone because of their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation: This is a form of discrimination and it’s illegal.
- Promoting or hiring someone because of their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation: When you do this, you’re not only breaking the law, but you’re also depriving someone else of an opportunity.
- Harassing someone because of their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation: This can include anything from making derogatory comments to physical assault.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, workplace discrimination is illegal. To conclude, this includes things like denying someone a job because of their skin color or making offensive comments about someone’s religion.
Solution: Treat all coworkers equally and fairly, without judging based on protected characteristics. Report any discriminatory incidents to HR. Go through proper channels like HR when it comes to hiring, promotions, etc. – don’t play favorites. Attend diversity and inclusion training if offered.
9. Sabotaging a Co-Worker’s Project
We’ve all had that co-worker who we just can’t stand. It’s tempting to sabotage their projects, but it’s also unethical. If you’re caught doing this, you could be fired. This can include things like:
- Hiding or destroying their work: During a heated argument, it’s tempting to hide or destroy someone’s work. But this is a form of sabotage and it’s not okay.
- Changing their work without their knowledge: This is also a form of sabotage. If you make changes to someone’s work without their knowledge, you’re changing their work without their consent.
- Spreading rumors about them: If you spread rumors about someone, you’re making their work-life more difficult.
Solution: Resist the urge to undermine a coworker, no matter your personal feelings towards them. Focus on your own work and responsibilities. Report any sabotage you witness to your manager. Collaborate professionally when working on team projects, even with difficult coworkers.
10. Talking Bad About the Company to Outsiders
If you’re unhappy with your company, keep it to yourself. Talking bad about your company to outsiders is considered disloyal and a quick way to get fired. This can include things like:
- Talking to the media: If you have something negative to say about your company, don’t say it to the press.
- Posting negative things online: If you’re unhappy with your company, don’t post negative things about it online. This can include things like writing negative reviews or posting negative comments on social media.
- Talking to other companies: When you’re talking to other companies, don’t say negative things about your current company. This can damage your current company’s reputation and make you look bad. Even when you’re trying to get another job, it’s important to be positive about your current company.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found my list of ethical issues in the workplace useful. These are real life examples of ethical dilemmas in the workplace that you easily see in any company.
Now you know the top 10 ethical dilemmas in the workplace. These are just some of the ethical dilemmas that people face in the workplace every day. If you find yourself in one of these situations, it’s important to stop and think about what the right thing to do is.
Additionally, remember the old adage, “if you see something, say something.” After all, you wouldn’t want someone to stand by if someone was harassing or treating you inappropriately. By advocating for coworkers, you can help create a more ethical workplace.
FAQs
What are some examples of ethical dilemmas in the workplace?
Some ethical dilemma workplace examples include:
– A manager taking credit for an employee’s work
– An employee discovering an error in a coworker’s expense report that would cost the company money
– An employee taking home office supplies for personal use
– A job applicant exaggerating credentials on their resume
– An employee gossiping or spreading rumors about a coworker
What are some ethical scenarios that can come up at work?
Some ethical scenarios in the workplace include:
– Learning that your boss is embezzling company funds
– Witnessing discrimination or harassment directed at a coworker
– Being asked to cover up safety issues or illegal activities
– Having access to confidential employee or customer data
– Discovering a coworker fudging their sales reports for a bonus
How can I recognize an ethical dilemma at work?
Look for situations that create a conflict between your personal ethics and company policies, rules, or norms. If you feel uncomfortable or question whether something is right, it likely involves an ethical dimension. Ask yourself “What is the right thing to do here?” If there is ambiguity, it likely involves an ethical dilemma.
What should I do if I encounter an ethical dilemma at work?
First, stop and think carefully about the situation. Try to identify exactly what the ethical issue is. Then, seek input from objective third parties like your HR department without divulging private details. Review company policies to determine the proper course of action. If needed, discreetly consult a mentor or trusted coworker.
How can I become more ethical in my workplace behavior?
Set a strong personal example of integrity. Follow company policies. Be honest in all communications and assignments. Treat coworkers respectfully. Avoid gossip, discrimination, and other harmful behaviors. Speak up constructively about ethics concerns through proper channels. Complete ethics training if offered. Stay current on company policies and guidelines.
Read More:
- 25 Examples Of Good And Bad Work Ethics In Workplace
- How To Respond When A Coworker Filed A Complaint Against You
- How To Get Someone Fired: 10 Ways To Get Revenge Without Them Knowing
- What Employers Need To Know About Lying At Work Disciplinary Action
- How To Stop Someone From Sabotaging You: 10 Useful Tips
- “I Have No Work Ethic”: 11 Tips To Fix Your Poor Work Ethic
- The 15 Best Books on Work Ethic Everyone Should Read
No Comments