Professional Ethical Dilemma: Transparency in the Workplace
I got my first job working at a grocery store when I was sixteen and I worked there, sometimes part time and sometimes full, for almost seven years. This is was my introduction into the working word and my education on how to be a professional throughout many formative years of my life. However, it was extremely different from my current working environment as a computer programmer for the State of Michigan, and left me completely naïve in some areas of professional conduct. I used to punch in when I arrived to work and punch out when I left. I worked in view of my manager and in constant contact with customers throughout the day. I had to ask permission to leave my cash register post …show more content…
Of course honesty seems like the obvious answer when considering these things theoretically, but in actual practice, there are several situations in which being discrete seems like the right choice. For example, in the situation where my boss asks me to document my results and not to tell the other developers, it may seem like the best course of action is to follow the instructions given. I actually feel the best decision in this situation is to be open that I will document all my findings, but do not feel comfortable lying. When my coworkers want me to give them the bugs rather than reporting them, I will give them the bugs, but also explain that I do not feel comfortable concealing them. In both situations, it seems like I might gain favor with one party or the other by being dishonest, however, that would simply demonstrate to my colleagues that I am dishonest. Being open and honest to both groups will demonstrate my character, which I believe will benefit my professional career in the long run. Adhering to my ethical standard of honesty in the work place will create an honest work environment. Going from a work environment with little freedom, to a work environment with a great deal of freedom, I feel I should openly provide the transparency that was required of me by virtue of circumstance before. I hope this will push my colleagues to be honest with me, because they can expect the same in return, ultimately allowing me to work in a trusting and open
I got my first job working at a grocery store when I was sixteen and I worked there, sometimes part time and sometimes full, for almost seven years. This is was my introduction into the working word and my education on how to be a professional throughout many formative years of my life. However, it was extremely different from my current working environment as a computer programmer for the State of Michigan, and left me completely naïve in some areas of professional conduct. I used to punch in when I arrived to work and punch out when I left. I worked in view of my manager and in constant contact with customers throughout the day. I had to ask permission to leave my cash register post …show more content…
Of course honesty seems like the obvious answer when considering these things theoretically, but in actual practice, there are several situations in which being discrete seems like the right choice. For example, in the situation where my boss asks me to document my results and not to tell the other developers, it may seem like the best course of action is to follow the instructions given. I actually feel the best decision in this situation is to be open that I will document all my findings, but do not feel comfortable lying. When my coworkers want me to give them the bugs rather than reporting them, I will give them the bugs, but also explain that I do not feel comfortable concealing them. In both situations, it seems like I might gain favor with one party or the other by being dishonest, however, that would simply demonstrate to my colleagues that I am dishonest. Being open and honest to both groups will demonstrate my character, which I believe will benefit my professional career in the long run. Adhering to my ethical standard of honesty in the work place will create an honest work environment. Going from a work environment with little freedom, to a work environment with a great deal of freedom, I feel I should openly provide the transparency that was required of me by virtue of circumstance before. I hope this will push my colleagues to be honest with me, because they can expect the same in return, ultimately allowing me to work in a trusting and open