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Ethical concerns at work

McFrost

Hi, sorry that this isn't relevant to Autism (although I am autistic so maybe everything is in some way as relates to me?!)

I feel like I need to be vague here for some reason, but I run a small business and have discovered that a customer of ours is probably involved in something that I find utterly abhorrent. So abhorrent that I can't ignore it.

Trouble is I don't know where to go from here. If it were up to me I would straight out ask them if it's true and then, as they almost certainly would refuse to answer me, have nothing more to do with them. However, I have business partners who, although they haven't so far said we shouldn't do that, seem much less outraged and seem to be more of the view that "that's business!" I may be being very unfair as it may well be that ultimately they end up agreeing with me.

I have been researching this kind of ethical concern and trying to get advice on how to proceed but am finding very little. It's beginning to blow my mind how much gets tolerated in business as long as it's not illegal. I wonder if I am cut out for running a business that deals with other businesses if I am so out of tune with everyone else.

Having written this I am seeing that this possibly ties in with my autism in that a strong sense of justice can be a trait. I have always been appalled by some behaviours that are accepted more generally but have previously been too afraid to stick my head above the parapet and say anything. I have had enough of that sort of thinking.

I'm not sure what my point is for posting this other than to see if any others have a view so I don't feel so alone! I understand that my vagueness might make that difficult. I might be able to say what I am talking about more openly (or perhaps some of it can be guessed from what I have said) but I would need to give it more thought.

Has anyone else here had to take a moral stand against something to their own detriment and felt unsupported in doing so?

Parents

  • Hello there, I'll be direct and blunt as I find this the best way to explain things. Please don't take offence.

    McFrost said:
    I run a small business and have discovered that a customer of ours is probably involved in something that I find utterly abhorrent. So abhorrent that I can't ignore it.

    If they are not breaking any laws then from a business perspective it is none of your business. Leave them alone would be my advice.

    If you have a strong moral issue with them then you need to discuss it openly with your business partners, make a case based on the business (not just your own morality) and let the majority voters make the call, but with all parties informed.

    I've been there although only as a staff member and the management knew but decided to keep taking the customers money anyway. If you are the owner then you need to weigh up the personal decision versus the impact on all those working for you. Should your decision cost a lot of money then you need to acknowledge that this is on you, and you could potentially cause some people to lose their livelihood.

    Morality is all fine and well until your choices start to impact the innocent direclty so careful consideration is needed.

    Business is a murky area for morality at the best of times and sometimes you have to consider the greater good and just let bad actors continue and hope they get karma in their own way. You have different responsibilities (ie staff plus your own livelihood) and you need to prioritise these.

    In the end if you still struggle then I would recommend getting a psychotherapist and work through the issues with them.

    Our moralily can be a millstone around our neck and getting help in dealing with it is no shame.

    All the above is in my own opinion so please consider it as such. If I caused any offence then I'm sorry, but I suspect you would appreciate me being direct.

Reply

  • Hello there, I'll be direct and blunt as I find this the best way to explain things. Please don't take offence.

    McFrost said:
    I run a small business and have discovered that a customer of ours is probably involved in something that I find utterly abhorrent. So abhorrent that I can't ignore it.

    If they are not breaking any laws then from a business perspective it is none of your business. Leave them alone would be my advice.

    If you have a strong moral issue with them then you need to discuss it openly with your business partners, make a case based on the business (not just your own morality) and let the majority voters make the call, but with all parties informed.

    I've been there although only as a staff member and the management knew but decided to keep taking the customers money anyway. If you are the owner then you need to weigh up the personal decision versus the impact on all those working for you. Should your decision cost a lot of money then you need to acknowledge that this is on you, and you could potentially cause some people to lose their livelihood.

    Morality is all fine and well until your choices start to impact the innocent direclty so careful consideration is needed.

    Business is a murky area for morality at the best of times and sometimes you have to consider the greater good and just let bad actors continue and hope they get karma in their own way. You have different responsibilities (ie staff plus your own livelihood) and you need to prioritise these.

    In the end if you still struggle then I would recommend getting a psychotherapist and work through the issues with them.

    Our moralily can be a millstone around our neck and getting help in dealing with it is no shame.

    All the above is in my own opinion so please consider it as such. If I caused any offence then I'm sorry, but I suspect you would appreciate me being direct.

Children