How to Choose between Conflicts of Moral Requirements
According to theStanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, “Moral dilemmas, at the very least, involve conflicts between moral requirements.” They don’t involve making a decision between right and wrong, because it would be obvious that you should choose right; instead, it means making a decision between two issues that are both wrong. Being in this sort of situation at work can be very tough, especially if you are being told you should accept one of the issues as part of your job. There is no easy answer, but for the sake of your peace of mind, there are some things that you can deal with amoral dilemma at work:
Think before you act
If you’re asked to do something that you consider provides you with a moral dilemma, it is important that you don’t react straight away. You may be convinced that you have to do as your boss said, or you may be equally convinced that you are not going to do so; either way, you need to ensure you have made the right decision before you go any further. If you feel you can’t tell your boss that you need time to think, don’t say anything much, walk away and at least sleep on the issue. Sometimes a good night’s sleep is all you need to see the correct way ahead for you.
Make sure you get all the necessary information
One of the reasons you need to hold off on reacting is that you need to get hold of all the necessary information. At first glance, what you have been asked to do may seem outrageous. However, your boss may have a very good reason for asking you to do what he has asked. Talk it through with him, if not immediately, then the next day. Look at the other side of the argument too. Consider why you are unsure that you should act as asked. Perhaps you are being asked to do something illegal, or perhaps you feel that you are being asked to go behind a colleague’s back. Check that is indeed the case.
Seek advice from colleagues
Particularly if you are relatively new to the company, you may be very unsure of how the system works and whether other people have been put in the same position in the past. Talk to colleagues whom you trust and explain what you have been asked to do. They may have a completely different viewpoint and may be able to convince you that the dilemma in which you have been put is not as serious as you first thought. Then again, they may totally back you, in which case you have a much stronger reason to refuse to act. Sometimes, talking to someone outside of work may be a worthwhile endeavour too.
Check company guidelines
Any company worth its salt will have guidelines. If you haven’t already been given a copy, then get hold of one. It may well be on the intranet, or you may need to ask the people in charge of human resources for a copy. Have a read through and see if there is anything that could refer to the dilemma you are facing. If your boss or another colleague is, indeed, asking you to do something illegal, the guidelines will hopefully be able to clarify that. Then again, there are occasions when what may seem to be morally wrong to you may, in fact, be acceptable practice in your industry.
Weigh up the pros and cons of each side
Once you have all the information to hand, you can then decide what decision you are going to make. You may be asked to do something that is morally incorrect to your mind, but if the alternative is losing your job, you may need to swallow your pride and get on with the task at hand. However, if you believe you could be doing something illegal, or something after which you won’t be able to live with yourself, then it may be worth putting your job on the line. Remember though, if it really is illegal, you will have recourse to the law afterwards, especially if you do lose your job. Make sure you make a note of all interactions.
Explain yourself
You are going to have to be very honest if you decide to tell your boss that you are not going to do as you have been asked. There is no point in pussyfooting around the issue; just tell him exactly how you feel. He may perfectly understand and, even if he doesn’t, he should at least give you the opportunity to explain yourself. If he insists that you do what you have been asked or lose your job, then ask to speak to someone higher up; it may be that your boss’ superior is on your side. At the end of the day, however, if you are told to go and refuse to conform, you may have no choice but to leave and seek legal assistance for unfair dismissal.
Dealing with a moral dilemma at work is something everyone would far rather not have to face and, with a bit of luck, you never will. However, if you do have to, then following the above tips should be of assistance.
