Witold HendrysiakProject and strategic management advisor| OXYGYWarszawa, Poland
Whenever we face unethical behavior, we feel tempted to pretend we look away. It is not obvious in all cases to get engaged and take action. Acting in such situations requires courage and determination.
We often don’t realize that we have this powerful tool at our disposal when we see unethical behavior by someone who is a PMI member, PMI certification holder, a non-member who applies to commence a PMI certification process, or who serves PMI in a volunteer capacity. Anyone can document their observation by submitting an ethics complaint via the online form. https://www.pmi.org/about/ethics/complaints
Have you ever considered filing a complaint and decided not to do so? What was the reason? What could help you to submit a complaint?
PMO Leader | Speaker & Mentor | Content Leader – PMOGA Latin America
Hub| Catholic University of UruguayMontevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
Si observa un comportamiento poco ético por parte de un PMP: 1. Diálogo directo: hable con el PMP involucrado de manera respetuosa y profesional. Trate de comprender su perspectiva y encontrar una solución conjunta. 2. Soporte profesional: Si la conversación falla o la falla es grave, busque apoyo de otros profesionales. 3. Reportar a PMI : Reportar la conducta a PMI a través de su línea ética o formulario en línea. Cooperar con la investigación. Recuerde: Priorice el diálogo y la búsqueda de soluciones. Informar al PMI . Actuar con integridad y profesionalismo. Documente sus acciones y comunicaciones. Busque asesoramiento legal o psicológico si es necesario.
...
1 reply by Witold Hendrysiak
May 02, 2024 4:54 AM
Witold Hendrysiak
...
Fabian, Thank you for your reply. I fully agree with you, that submitting an ethics complaint should not be the first and only step you take. I would like to better understand the situation, where it is the right case and moment to submit a complaint, but the person facing the unethical behavior decides not to do so. What could be the reason for such behaviour and what could be done to change it?
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Witold, without going into particular details, as a professional, I personally never look away when I see unethical behaviour because otherwise I will be acting unethically too, however, I deal with different situations differently. There are many better and more constructive ways to deal with unethical behaviour than filing a complaint which I do leave as a last resort unless its a very serious matter.
...
1 reply by Witold Hendrysiak
May 02, 2024 4:56 AM
Witold Hendrysiak
...
Rami, I'm fully with you. Submitting an ethics complaint should not be the first and only step you take. I would like to better understand the situation, where it is the right case and moment to submit a complaint, but the person facing the unethical behavior decides not to do so. What could be the reason for such behaviour and what could be done to change it?
Saving Changes...
Witold HendrysiakProject and strategic management advisor| OXYGYWarszawa, Poland
Apr 29, 2024 9:42 AM
Replying to Fabian Crosa
...
Si observa un comportamiento poco ético por parte de un PMP: 1. Diálogo directo: hable con el PMP involucrado de manera respetuosa y profesional. Trate de comprender su perspectiva y encontrar una solución conjunta. 2. Soporte profesional: Si la conversación falla o la falla es grave, busque apoyo de otros profesionales. 3. Reportar a PMI : Reportar la conducta a PMI a través de su línea ética o formulario en línea. Cooperar con la investigación. Recuerde: Priorice el diálogo y la búsqueda de soluciones. Informar al PMI . Actuar con integridad y profesionalismo. Documente sus acciones y comunicaciones. Busque asesoramiento legal o psicológico si es necesario.
Fabian, Thank you for your reply. I fully agree with you, that submitting an ethics complaint should not be the first and only step you take. I would like to better understand the situation, where it is the right case and moment to submit a complaint, but the person facing the unethical behavior decides not to do so. What could be the reason for such behaviour and what could be done to change it? Saving Changes...
Witold HendrysiakProject and strategic management advisor| OXYGYWarszawa, Poland
Apr 29, 2024 1:12 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
...
Witold, without going into particular details, as a professional, I personally never look away when I see unethical behaviour because otherwise I will be acting unethically too, however, I deal with different situations differently. There are many better and more constructive ways to deal with unethical behaviour than filing a complaint which I do leave as a last resort unless its a very serious matter.
Rami, I'm fully with you. Submitting an ethics complaint should not be the first and only step you take. I would like to better understand the situation, where it is the right case and moment to submit a complaint, but the person facing the unethical behavior decides not to do so. What could be the reason for such behaviour and what could be done to change it?
...
1 reply by Rami Kaibni
May 02, 2024 9:56 AM
Rami Kaibni
...
Witold, every situation is unique and there could be so many different reasons so its hard to tell unless you can present a specific situation. At the end of the day, its a judgement call for that person.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
May 02, 2024 4:56 AM
Replying to Witold Hendrysiak
...
Rami, I'm fully with you. Submitting an ethics complaint should not be the first and only step you take. I would like to better understand the situation, where it is the right case and moment to submit a complaint, but the person facing the unethical behavior decides not to do so. What could be the reason for such behaviour and what could be done to change it?
Witold, every situation is unique and there could be so many different reasons so its hard to tell unless you can present a specific situation. At the end of the day, its a judgement call for that person. Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Hi Witold,
I have encountered what I perceive to be unethical behavior within our domain. However, like Rami, I believe there are more constructive measures one can take to address them short of filing a complaint, although I also hold that as an option as well.
Regarding your question: “Why does one NOT file an ethics complaint when they see an individual crossing an ethical boundary?” Although I had many thoughts, I landed on the following.
-----------------------------
Until our industry undertakes and realizes the “professionalization” of our practice in some delineated form (an unlikely scenario), our ethical constructs are, unfortunately, viewed as a secondary interest as they resolve themselves to well-formed “valued principles” that all professionals should adhere to—although I would like to believe otherwise.
Why do I say that:
Although we have explicitly stated aspirational and mandatory standards of conduct, the consequences of a confirmed violation are understandably scoped to membership, certification, and censure. Do these consequences have corrective value to one’s behavior, or can/does one continue to practice as if nothing has transpired?—rhetorically stated.
The burden of reporting:
Although we would like to believe/say that one reports based on “ethical compulsion,” our human nature drives us to the more likely scenario wherein we report based on the results of an unconscious weighing of consequences (although both could be in play).
On one “reporting side” of the scale, we have the:
[1] The potential consequences to the believed violator (reporter’s perspective), whether viewed as too much, insufficient, or counterproductive. In all cases, the reporter must feel secure that consequences have a functionally corrective value that serves the end-state benefit of the violator and the industry.
On the “do not report” side, we have the:
[2] Personal consequences to the reporter, where one must feel psychologically safe from direct or indirect retribution (regardless of anonymity) and reputational costs within the governance body or outwardly amongst peers.
Although a more complex decision than I’m portraying, what you “feel” in this situation is more powerful than one you “know” from the documented process or what you have learned from your due diligence on the subject.
Bottom Line:
The “reporting determination scale” is heavily weighted to the “do not report” side as the feelings one has regarding “personal consequences” outweigh the perception of value to report.
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Most of the non-ethical behaviors I have encountered are related to spam or unsolicited services. At some point in the past (no so often anymore), I used to receive emails to "help" in clearing the PMP exam. Often, the offer would come via a LinkedIn invitation, which I would decline first and block the individual thereafter.
In hindsight, I should have also informed PMI about this. Thanks for sharing this, Witold Hendrysiak. Saving Changes...
Ming YeungAdjunct Professor & Acting COO/CPO/CRO (contract)| Blockchain Venture Capital Inc.Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hello Witold, I had also encountered unethical behaviours and chosen not to look away. Yet I often instill an ethical working environment as follows:
-- Raise awareness about the importance of reporting issues.
-- Make complaint procedures straightforward and accessible.
-- Offer emotional support and guidance throughout the process.
-- Show that complaints lead to meaningful actions.
I am mindful that individual experiences and circumstances vary, and addressing these factors can foster a supportive environment for reporting complaints and a strong signal for acting ethically.
Ming Saving Changes...
As project managers, we must comply with the values of honesty, responsibility, respect, and fairness, in every real-life situation. In the case of encountering an individual that is acting against these values, we must talk to him directly, to explain the inadequate behavior. If the person continues acting the same, we must escalate the situation, reporting to a superior in the organizational structure. Saving Changes...
Community Champion
