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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

  • Often and I don't care what others think, the most important thing is whether I can look myself in the eye in the mirror, if I can't then I've done bad, if I can then I've done right. To many people don't want to rock the boat and thats how so much bad stuff happens.

    I understand why you're being vague, you need to be sure of your facts and not leave yourself open to accusations of lying, rocking the boat etc. I think there are ways of dealing with your plight, maybe try contacting ACAS for advice. Ethical Consumer magazine maybe worth a look, I'm sure there are people out there who can help and advice you, but I agree that it's a difficult one and may lead to you striking out on your own if you cannot resolve things with your partners.

    I would always say stick to your principles, but I know it's not easy when you have a living to earn and a business to run, but I do believe it's possible, even if it involves looking for an exit strategy with your existing business.

  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    Thanks very much for your response CatWoman. I do feel more these days that I want to just live by what I think is right rather than meekly going with the majority for an easy life, as I feel like I have done until now.

  • in reply to McFrost

    I know what you mean and it's not easy, but I think it's worth doing, there are lots of ethical business and some very sucessful ones too. I think it's hard to police who you do business with, people who's views you dislike may want to buy your product, I think it's easier in a shop sort of setting to be ethical or too gloss over the idiosyncrasies of your customers, but when you're talking about something less tangible it's difficult, can you influnece the company in any way? Somethings you could just dob them in to the appropriate authority, if it's a tax issue for example you could contact HMRC or horror of all horrors, the VAT dept, there's a minimum wage enforcement dept too.

    If its something else, do you have to do business with them? Do they buy your services, or do you buy theirs?

    I think living in the times we do it's even more important for people to stand up for what they believe in.

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  • in reply to McFrost

    I know what you mean and it's not easy, but I think it's worth doing, there are lots of ethical business and some very sucessful ones too. I think it's hard to police who you do business with, people who's views you dislike may want to buy your product, I think it's easier in a shop sort of setting to be ethical or too gloss over the idiosyncrasies of your customers, but when you're talking about something less tangible it's difficult, can you influnece the company in any way? Somethings you could just dob them in to the appropriate authority, if it's a tax issue for example you could contact HMRC or horror of all horrors, the VAT dept, there's a minimum wage enforcement dept too.

    If its something else, do you have to do business with them? Do they buy your services, or do you buy theirs?

    I think living in the times we do it's even more important for people to stand up for what they believe in.

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