ALT-7 Disagreeing with Company Policies should you Voice Concerns or not
There is a saying"the nail that stands out gets hammered". Should you then stand up when you disagree when company policies?
If you disagree with a company policy you should absolutely voice concerns. But before you get into the manager's office with your complaints think about these things, which will make the whole process smooth and fruitful.
Talk with your co-workers about the policy: Try to get feedback from your co-workers, if they have concerns like you do you will have a group supporting you, which is better than standing up alone.Also since more than one employee has concerns, the administration will take the issue seriously.
What is your reason for speaking up?: Have it ready. Why does the policy bother you? try to explain it to the manager in clear,simple way in a respectful manner. Remember if you want to be heard you have to speak in a way everyone can understand. There is no point being belligerent, hurtful or violent.
And finally be reasonable: Don't expect things to change over night or the manager to agree with your right away. Keep up your efforts and be prepared for unexpected results. It helps if you are persistent. Keep the efforts going even if you encounter negative reaction form management and co-workers at first.
In this time of economic crises when everyone is doing whatever legal and possible to keep their job, it is a big risk to stand up and voice your concerns when you don't agree with company policies. Imagine what would have happened if Enron employees had done the right thing from the beginning and had alerted the authorities. So many people would still have their life savings and jobs. Same thing goes for the big financial giants who took a tumble in the ongoing financial crises. It is a sign of courage, in these times, to be honest to your employer.
You should, however, be aware of your legal right too. The employer cannot fire you or retaliate against you for voicing your concerns. There are specific legal provisions protecting the "whistle blower". Also, the labor laws protect your right as an employee to be safe from illegal discharge and retaliation from the management.
So, when you decide to go to the manager or write to the company's board be aware of your legal rights and make sure that you have all the facts straight. Making false accusations or lying could land you in serious trouble. Try to gather a group of supporters around you and if you can and if the issue requires it, get sound legal advice.
