Ethical Traps

Which of the following rationalizations for unethical behavior have you seen in the workplace?

Safety in Numbers. "It’s no big deal. Everybody does it."

The Bottom Line Mentality. "We’ve got to do it in order to reach our goal."

Seizing the Opportunity. "If I don’t do it, someone else will."

Legal. "If it's legal, it's ethical."

Hubris. "We’re bright and decent people. If we feel that it’s ethical, it must be ethical."

Fear. "If I do the right thing, something terrible will happen to me."

Good Ethics is Good Business. "If it’s good for our organization, it must be ethical."

Rigid Bureaucracy. "I know it may seem harsh and unfair, but if we make an exception for you then we’ll have to make one for everybody else."

Shifting Loyalties. "I don’t agree with this any more than you do, but upper management wants it this way so we’ll just have to go along."

Using Technicalities. "Look at precisely what I said. There is nothing inaccurate or disrespectful in that statement."

Questionable Objectivity. "Sure, I’ve done a few favors for a few people, but I can still retain my objectivity."

Failure to Be Candid. "I didn’t want to hurt your feelings."

Manipulation. "Tell Gladys that if she backs my project, I’ll support one of hers."

Payback. "They did it to me and I’m going to do it to them."

Privilege. "I’ve worked hard to get this high. I should be able to enjoy a few privileges."

Entitlement. "They owe me."

Hypocrisy. "Hey, there are good reasons why that rule shouldn’t apply to me."

Misplaced Loyalty. "I can’t squeal on my teammates. That would be disloyal."

The Nuremberg Defense. "I was just following orders."