When speaking up to a boss, the risks definitely vary when you consider how long you have worked with them, how much implicit trust exists in your relationship, and the culture the organization has built. If you’ve had a long-standing and trusting relationship with your boss or the culture of the organization encourages honest communication, then you likely wouldn’t risk much if you back up your opinion with sound reasoning. However, if these conditions are present, then speaking could lead to a boss considering you difficult to work with, doubting your reliability, and considering whether you deserve the position you hold.
On the other hand, if you simply accept an ethically dubious task, this brings new risks. You might be called out by a peer, another team, or even an external stakeholder leaving you scrambling to explain yourself. You might feel substantial internal conflict that affects your performance at work. It’s also possible that this hurts your reputation, especially in the industry if the task involves external people. Lastly, accepting one ethically ambiguous task may lead others to believe you would be more willing to accept other, even more ethically ambiguous tasks in the future.
When considering the 3-step plan, it’s important to first assess the landscape. I would ask myself questions like: “Do I feel strongly about this ethical dilemma?” “What would I lose/gain from completing this task?” “Will my decision impact how others are treated in the future?” “Do I feel safe expressing my opinion?”
Then, if I decide it is worth it, I may loop in my peers into my situation and try to garner support to lessen the social threat. Finally, With peer support and my staunch personal beliefs, I can create a plan to communicate with my boss and create a mutually beneficial solution.
