Moral Management - have you ever turned work down? If so, why?
Russell GeakeProject Management Consultant| Deciduous Partners LtdLostwithiel, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Every now and then you get a call that asks you to undertake a certain project. It sounds interesting, it pays very well BUT it's for a company who's values are at odds with yours... have you ever turned down work because it wouldn't sit well in your conscience?
Have you ever justified a role to yourself even though you know the outcome is against your beliefs and opinions?
Why do people work! what motivates them! money, ambition, career development! the list is endless!
Some may have no conscience it is a job after all and the money is good! take on the role, focus, deliver, complete the contract ends and walk away - this is what the majority of contractors will do! there is no permanent partnership so there is nothing to dissolve!
Others may have a different view when especially they are looking to join an organisation on a permanent basis 'why should I work for them ! should never arise the answer to that is to choose carefully reputable caring companies.
Would I turn down work from a company that does not meet my own values .... well as a contractor the answer is No! I would not turn the work down... it is about professionalism, fulfilling the contract and just simply walk away !
Saving Changes...
Mark Price PerryBusiness Driven PMO Evangelist| BOT InternationalOrlando, Fl, United States
In response to your first question (have you ever turned down work because it wouldn't sit well in your conscience?), yes - many times, both outside work and internal promotions.
In response to your second question (have you ever justified a role to yourself even though you know the outcome is against your beliefs and opinions?), no.
Fortunately, perhaps because I entered the workforce during a period of economic stabliity and growth, finding work was never a problem. Today's business environment is much different. I can understand if folks feel like they have to compromise their principles, but I would advise against it. Saving Changes...
I would not turn down the work! only if it was the Mafia! :) or it had serious personal consequences then it would be a NO NO! otherwise missed opportunities !
Each to their own comes to mind! do whats best! Saving Changes...
Mark Price PerryBusiness Driven PMO Evangelist| BOT InternationalOrlando, Fl, United States
Vasoula, I suspect that you and I are on the same page. And "sitting well in one's conscious" or being "against one's beliefs and opinions" can be interpretted in different ways and to different degrees. For example, I have turned down work for organizations that I find objectionable on account of what they do and/or how they do it. Conversely, I have done pro-bono "free" work for organizations such as development organizations and charities on account of my support for their cause. I so like and agree with your advise, "Each to their own... do what's best..!" Saving Changes...
In the past, I quit a job because I couldn't see myself working for a guy who torpedo'd an entire department just so he could pick up the pieces and increase his political power within the company.
What followed was a year and a half of unemployment. Three months of reveling in new-found freedom, then 15 months of pure, undiluted nightmare. Honestly, that was the first time in my life I was thankful for France's over-protective social security: 80% of my previous salary guaranteed for 2 years, extension of my health benefits for 9 months post-termination of my contract, etc. Money wasn't the issue - job seeking and boredom were.
Of course, the economy was bad then, but it's hardly any better now, so no, I would not do it again. It was a valuable lesson learnt at the business end of the stick: if I'm going to stand on principle again, I will fight back from within, not slam the door in a dramatic yet ultimately pointless gesture. Saving Changes...
Really interesting topic and some great replies. One further angle I would add- as a PM, a great proportion of my results and outcomes depends entirely on getting others to do things. I would be asking myself whether I feel I would be successful in getting results from a group of people whose values differ strongly to mine, or whether I would find it rewarding to try to.
On a different moral note, say you are planning a week's leave and currently have nobody to deal with your emails while you are away. The project is at a non-critical stage. Your company limits mailboxes to a certain size before emails bounce. On current evidence a week would bring around 500 emails into your inbox (which will take days to deal with, and you'll spend your leave dreading). Would it be that bad to leave a very full inbox allocation before you go away, so that around 490 of those emails bounce? Saving Changes...
