Submitted by Kevin1 on
in
Forums
Friends,
If you were to witness a direct doing something unethical outside of work related activities, would you think it necessary to give them feedback about it, or would you just note it in their 'file' and consider it in evaluations for their suitability for future opportunities.
Actions I'm thinking of would be things such as
- evading fare payment on public transport
- driving dangerously around schools or other high pedestrian areas
- causing accidental damage to someone else's property and not owning up to it
- keeping a wallet they find in the street
etc.
Kind regards
Kevin
Ethical behavior outside work.
Hi Kevin,
I work for a police force that has a legislated act which holds officers accountable for behavior outside work. It is a very complicated and unpleasant process and involving legal and independent oversight. Applying standards to employees outside work hours will be tough for you and bring on some unimaginable things. Some rules of thumb for you: #1. Is the behavior illegal and criminal in nature and should it be reported to the police? #2. Is the person representing your company in anyway during the act (speeding in a work van)? #3. Is it your responsibility or should it serious enough to be dealt with a higher authority (HR)? #4. Is it one person or is it a culture of unethical behavior (higher ups not setting a good example)? #5. If it is documented without the employee'a knowledge , do you have the facts to defend your position if it comes out that you used it to deny them opportunity? Did you allow them to be aware of and correct the behavior.
I have some experience in this. My advice is Document and provide guidance so you don't get blasted in court later. This is why MT is so effective. I use it and it had guide me through these types of processes. It hasn't steered me wrong and I've been told "my" process (the MT tools I used) were the most professional the mediator has ever seen.
please let me know if you have further questions.
Thanks Mike
Ok so let's say for the sake of example this was the situation. (It wasn't)
While waiting for the train going to a non work event, I meet my direct. She's just found a wallet on the platform and shows it to me. She takes $20 out of the wallet calling it a 'finders fee' and goes off and hand the remaining wallet and money in to the station to 'do the right thing'.
It is technically a crime but a very petty one
reporting them would do permanent and irrepairable damage to the relationship
the direct already knows I know what they did
do i tell her that her actions at the station lead me to question her values and that i'm not sure i will be able to trust her in the future?
or some other course of action?
kind regards
kev
Honor code
Almost all military organizations have an honor code:
I will not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.
I would report the person to the proper authorities. I wouldn't care about the relationship, because her actions have proven that she is untrustworthy. I wouldn't want any type of relationship with her at all, especially at work. If I need to rely on her for something, I would always wonder if she was cheating or doing the job right. She lacks integrity, and I would be afraid to have her around my customers.
Call her on it.
Yep, if I was her boss, I'd call her on it. You represent the company to her and she represents the company to everyone that knows her. That was a basic random integrity test and she failed it. I would expect my employees to always do the right thing. I would talk with her first and deal with it one on one. Depending on her reaction you can determine to take it further. If it causes irreparable harm to the relationship between you and her because she failed that test then its time for her to move on.
I use a simple integrity test for me. If my actions were printed in the paper the next day (and they have given what I do), would people think what I did was right. If that was me skimming a $20.00 and someone found out I would be shamed beyond belief.
Good luck, let us know how it turns out.
It's not her $20.
Regarding the $20 finders fee. Why stop at $20?
If you are going to mail it to the person, use the $$$ to cover the postage.
My rule of thumb is, "It's not mine, so don't keep it." If I find a $20 blowing down the street and no one's name is on it, I know a dog shelter that can use it, or my parish. But it's not mine.
ethical question - feedback or not?
Interesting question. When I put myself in the situation I realized that none of my folks would have done that.
Don't misunderstand, my folks aren't all saints and some of them have done some interesting things that made me question their decision making skills but this one's beyond the pale. Like others have noted, it's stealing and they know it. I can't imagine them stealing with me standing there.
But if I did see it I would call her on it. Kootenay_Mike got it partly right - you represent the company. But more importantly, you are making a statement about yourself.
Interesting Topic
Very interesting topic and interesting to hear others' views.
In the scenario you out lined, clearly this person is an idiot and not to be trusted. But let's back up a bit -
You're doing O3s right? You have a respectful relationship right? I think that is the foundation needed before commenting on non-work issues, because directs don't generally take kindly to comments from their boss about their personal activities.
I think because you both know you are this direct's boss you are well within your scope to give feedback on this. Because stealing is quite serious I'd also send a shot across the bow. I'd be something along the lines of:
- How you behave with people you work with impacts your relationships at work.
- When you take something that isn't yours in front of a colleague, that person makes judgements about your trustworthiness. This is definitely a problem when you behave unethically in front of your boss.
- I have not seen you behave this way at work, so I am chalking this up to a one off lapse of judgement. But be aware that I expect professional and ethical behaviour while you work here and with everyone you work with.
That's my assume positive intent answer which gives the direct a chance to change. But quite frankly, I'd be looking over his shoulder very carefully.