Do The Words ‘Ethical’ and ‘Business’ Belong on the Same Line?
unethical – not conforming to approved standards of social or professional behavior
I just participated in a frustrating debate with a close comrade in arms about the ethics of his sales tactics. His original intentions was to start a hiring campaign with the purpose of selling a small electronic device to the people that are applying for a job, with the expectation they’ll take the product because they want the job.
Once I started challenging the ethics of the campaign, he started justifying the decision as ‘helping them by providing an invaluable service’ and that the company ‘really cares about the welfare of their employees.’ He wanted to sneak this in as an ‘opt-in’ check-box saying that we would provide them a device for free (with a 5 year, $40 a month contract to go with it – discounted because they were “interested in selling the product”), after leading the candidate on by making them send in a resumé and fill out an application – and then sending them to an e-learning site, which he had originally anticipated up to 8 hours of eLearning (remember, this is still part of the RECRUITING PROCESS) in hopes that most candidates would drop off. ’Keep adding hoops,’ he said.
He then said that for the ones that did make it through the rigorous recruiting process, he would hire the best of the best to sell, but they wouldn’t even be selling the product that they just spent a week learning and reading about. His justification to this? He wants only the best of the best, so he rigorously tests them.
Is it Legal? Absolutely. If they click ‘I have read and agreed to the terms of conditions’, then we’ve done our part. How about Effective? Beyond fantastic! If you think you’re an inch away from a job, you’ll sign anything; this has the potential to be a jaw-dropping scam! Ethical? Absolutely not. Justifiable? That depends on your acceptable level of integrity.
How is This Unethical?
Let us count the ways!
- A job advertisement, as defined by myself, is ‘a form of communication in which advises potential candidates of the intent to hire.’ What is the intent behind this campaign? To generate leads and accounts. This is mis-advertisement. Is this professionally responsible? No.
- These people are actively trying to better themselves or recover from a job loss or layoff; while you are occupying their time with the false pretenses of a possible position, they could be trying to get back on their feet. There is the possibility of someone directly (or indirectly) suffering or having personal loss due to this campaign, especially since . Is this socially responsible? No. (and to boot, it sure shows your level of respect for your potential ‘clients,’ – and employees, for that matter!)
Why is Personal Integrity a Key Factor in Successful Leadership?
People seek leadership from individuals who appeal to their moral standing. This scale works both ways – leaders who have high ethical and moral standards tend to attract followers with equal standards. Leaders who have lower standards, however, tend to attract followers with the same level of standards. There are always exceptions to the rules – people follow leaders that they idolize, whether it be for respect, power, individuality, business prowess – fear of suffering, or even fear of loss.
Think of what most people consider ‘high moral ground’ – churches. People follow ministers and priests because they have the expectation of a high moral standing. They also follow organized religion due to a fear of loss – the fear they’ll lose the opportunity to go to heaven, and the fear of suffering in hell.
Now, think of what most people consider no moral standards at all – organized crime. People will follow organized crime’s lead for multiple reasons; disparity, fear of retribution, fear of cement shoes; however, these who continue to allow themselves to be lead into a life of crime will gradually lower their level of ethics, until they are completely ignorant of the reality of their actions.
How Does This Tie in With Corporate Responsibility?
Following both social and professional ethical guidelines is important when conducting business. It reflects on everything you and your organization are able to accomplish. Having high standards and expectations is a necessity in business. But corporate responsibility doesn’t just end with making ethical business decisions – it’s just the beginning. To be a respectful global citizen, an organization must not only give back professionally, but socially as well.
There are tons of opportunities to properly market your products and services through being socially responsible. People may not consider how much McDonalds™ has donated to local Children’s Hospitals when they’re trying to decide whether they want a Big Mac™ or a Whopper™, but you know that all of the parents and children who have been helped by Ronald McDonald’s Children’s Charity™ will not only become a proud advocate for their services, they’ll feel forever thankful for the support they received.
One Mistake. That’s All It Takes to Start The Cycle.
If you don’t hold yourself and your leadership team to very strict ethical guidelines, your organization may just pull a Tiger Woods and break all of it’s commitments, destroying its’ reputation along the way. Every time you allow one unethical action, you decrease your moral threshold.
The responsibility of charting an ethical course and following it lays on the CEO. Ask Kenneth Lay, the former CEO and founder of Enron – I’m sure he’ll be happy to show you how it works while you’re visiting him on the row. I hear he loves entertaining visitors.
