Unethical Work Situations: How To Handle
Around 120 million Americans go to work every day. During the past year, half of the workforce observed or personally experienced several types of unethical behavior. These statistics are not about workers who exploit their position to commit fraud. Most likely, they refer to those who have lied to superiors or submitted false expenses reports.
The experiences of doing something you do not feel comfortable with or disagree with, such as dealing with a coworker that behaves unethically, are tough to cope with. Therefore, you must know how to handle situations, what actions you need to take, or which reports filing with the head or a third-party organization. Here’s everything you need to know.
How To Handle Unethical Work Behavior
The workplace can be fulfilling and achievement-oriented, but it can also harbor abusive, dangerous, and unethical situations. Taking steps to handle these scenarios will help you act appropriately.
If you have concerns about inappropriate behavior at work, acquiring legal advice is another effective way to handle it. With Anderson Law, whether you work in the public sector or the private sector, they’ll be able to provide comprehensive details on what you need to know and the codes of conduct you should follow.
- Identify the Issue
Suppose you notice inappropriate behavior or situations in your workplace; you need to document these accordingly. Defining unethical issues means taking evidence—notes, photos, or videos—to help identify the significant problem of what exactly is happening.
In some instances, if you suspect someone or people involved in this unethical behavior or may be unaware of the legal issues of the situation, try to alert them. Learning and understanding every variable can assist you properly in describing the inappropriate charges.
- Provide A Solution
Providing solutions varying on the degree of the situation is essential. This can lead to pursuing an easy and straightforward solution to the work issue. Suppose you suspect improper conduct as a mistake, communicate sincerely to your superiors or relevant authorities for awareness.
Several issues can be solved with plan changes or simple notifications. However, in case you suffer retaliation or experience pushbacks, you’ll know that something deeper is happening.
- Protect Yourself
Understanding how to protect yourself from these unethical situations and behavior is essential. Obtaining legal advice is one of the best ways to help you move out from inappropriate work-related problems. Whistleblower retaliation is surreal, which means you’ll need adequate protection.
Whether you want to seek justice, protect yourself and/or others from harm against your co-worker or employer, you must find a reliable and trusted employment attorney to assist you accordingly.
- Follow Company Process
Following company procedure is vital when it comes to unethical situations and behavior. However, varying on the situation and the degree of the issue, you can:
- Check guidelines from the employee handbook
- Repot with your superior or someone above your superior
- If threatened, moving up the company hierarchy is a better idea, after ensuring transparency with company policy
If the problem goes beyond being unethical and being illegal, you’ll need additional assistance. If the misbehaving people are the company’s higher-ups, raising the alarm can be known as whistleblowing.
This time, you’ll need legal counsel and a lawyer specializing in the situation to provide proper protection. It can be life-threatening and may affect your career.
- Consider Moving Out
Sometimes, the job may not suit you appropriately, or the company will not act on inappropriate incidents. Maybe the behavior is against your morals. The best way to solve this problem is to find another job. However, if you prefer staying at the company, changing departments is also an option.
Most Common Unethical Workplace Behavior
Knowing your rights is essential. The OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides whistleblower security for employees that report certain violations related to various statutes. If you experience any of the said repercussions, you should file whistleblower claims:
- Denied benefits
- Demoted
- Denied overtime
- Fired
- Denied promotion
- Disciplined
- Reassigned
- Threatened
- Bullied
- Experienced reduced hours or pay
- Intolerable working conditions
- Blacklisted
- Harassed or intimidated
Once you file your claim, your problem will be investigated, and you will interview possible witnesses. Protection under this action includes job reinstatement, back pay, and various financial relief.
Common Unethical Behaviors On the Workspace
Understanding every degree of unethical behavior is vital for every worker. Here are some of the most common inappropriate behaviors in a workplace:
- Abusive behavior
- Misusing the company time
- Lying to employees
- Theft
- Violation of the company’s internet rules and policies
Final Words
Understanding the degree of any potential unethical behavior and how to deal with it is crucial. This can help you protect yourself and others against immoral and unlawful actions. With the proper knowledge and understanding of the law, you can effectively defend yourself from discriminatory practices and whistleblower retaliation.
