Ethical concerns at work

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
  • Hi, I don't have advice. Only want to say that I understand and can relate. I've been in similar situations. What I go by, is that if I ignore it and don't say anything, then I am also involved, because I'm not doing anything. This has back-fired before, in the sense that when I left a workplace, I spoke up when I left about something inappropriate things that were happening. I will continue to see the employer around as it is a small industry, and it can make things uncomfortable. But I remind myself, that if I didn't speak up, then I was just as bad. Of course, this only applies when it's something that is harming others in some way. If I just don't agree, I don't care. But if I say that harm is being inflicted on others in any kind of way, I don't feel right in ignoring it.

    Good luck

Reply
  • Hi, I don't have advice. Only want to say that I understand and can relate. I've been in similar situations. What I go by, is that if I ignore it and don't say anything, then I am also involved, because I'm not doing anything. This has back-fired before, in the sense that when I left a workplace, I spoke up when I left about something inappropriate things that were happening. I will continue to see the employer around as it is a small industry, and it can make things uncomfortable. But I remind myself, that if I didn't speak up, then I was just as bad. Of course, this only applies when it's something that is harming others in some way. If I just don't agree, I don't care. But if I say that harm is being inflicted on others in any kind of way, I don't feel right in ignoring it.

    Good luck

Children
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