đź’What happens when doing your job means going against your values?
Recently, an ex-colleague confided in me:
“This one isn’t about legality it’s about ethics. I know the organization must survive, but at what cost?”
Her words struck me deeply.
The organization was downsizing, and leadership had already decided which employees would not be retained. On Thursday afternoon, senior managers instructed Arlene, a junior member of the IT department, to disable access for several employees telling her it was part of a routine system test with the service provider.
The following morning, those employees arrived ready to work, assuming the “glitch” was connected to the test. By midday, as they were handed their pink slips, the truth became clear not only to them, but also to Arlene, who realized the role she had unknowingly played in their dismissal.
I’ve observed similar cases across different industries where employees like Arlene were expected to follow instructions in the interest of the company’s survival. These situations may not always involve anything illegal, but employees are often expected to set aside their ethics for the “greater good” of the organization.
And while we can debate the theory of personal ethics vs. business ethics, the reality is this: when an employee feels forced or misled into compromising their values, the impact is lasting.
• It alters how they see the organization.
• It shifts trust in leadership.
• It influences their commitment, loyalty, and engagement.
The company may not even notice the exact moment the shift happens, but the employee remembers.
Leaders often assume culture is built through grand value statements and strategic documents. However, the truth, culture is reinforced in the small, pressure-filled moments when employees are asked to choose between “doing right” and “doing what’s expected.”
The ethical choice may not appear on a balance sheet, but it shows up in retention, morale, and reputation.
👉 Question for reflection: How does your organization handle situations where business goals and employee values collide?
For me, leadership means recognizing that protecting the integrity of our people is just as critical as protecting the interests of the business. When we honor both, we build organizations where trust, loyalty, and performance thrive.
Image credit: Canva
LeadershipMatters #EthicalLeadership #TrustAtWork #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceValues
