2. The situation with the most ethical complexity I have ever faced
Despite the fact that I have faced situations that needed me to act based on what I
felt was right or wrong, the dilemma I was presented with was quite great for me.
3. My Current Job
In my immediate past employment, I worked as a Project Engineer for an IT
Company in Nigeria. I loved my job and I really loved my workplace. However, even
good things come to an end someday.
From time to time, we all need to move on. It could be for a newer or bigger
challenge, it might be for the money, it could be for any reason
4. The Phone Call
It was a usual day at my office going about my normal duties when I got a call from
a very good friend.
We had not spoken in a while but he was unusually fast with his greetings and he
moved straight to the point. “Tolu, I have a very fantastic job offer for you, there is
an opening in my company I have recommended you to fill. By the way, my boss
would love to speak with you and before I could say anything, I was on the phone
with his boss.
5. The Offer
Good Afternoon, I have an offer for you and a very exciting offer at that. It would be
double your pay and with interesting benefits too.
I was excited, bigger money was on the way for me, a better life in my own opinion.
He continued, I would need a favor from you in return. I want you to give me the
details of the GBB Project you are working on currently.
I was not sure if I heard him right and I asked him to come again, he did and he
convinced me further of the bliss that awaited me if I gave him what he wanted.
6. The Ethics of my Job
In the company I worked for then, there was an oath of secrecy signed that forbids
an employee of the company to discuss the details of work within the company
with an outsider.
7. My Dilemma
I asked him for more time. The offer was very hard to turn down, the money he
offered was huge compared to what I was earning then. The working conditions
were far better than what I had and the position offered was 2 grades ahead of
what I was occupying.
A part of me wanted the offer, I needed to move on to the better life, I always
wanted.
Another part of me wanted to do what was right, not just to the company I worked
for but also to stay by the values I deeply held in the core of my being.
I was torn between my desires and doing what was right
8. My Thoughts
If I divulge the details of this deal to my friend’s MD, I would get the job and a pay
rise.
If I get the job, I would have to deal with a company where business ethics was not
valued
I might be asked to make more unethical decisions during the course of the new
job which would be in direct conflict with my principles.
9. My Decision
A quote that my father loved most came to mind
“If you don't have integrity, you have nothing. You can't buy it. You can have all the
money in the world, but if you are not a moral and ethical person, you really have
nothing.”
― Henry Kravis
I could not live with selling my company’s business for the promise of a better life,
even though it was a tough decision to make, it was a decision I could live with.
I called my friend and gently declined the offer.
10. Aftermath
My company won the deal eventually and a bonus was declared for every staff of
the company.
Even though I am remained on that pay grade, projects I worked on after this
incidence formed the platform that landed me my current job role.
I am quite proud of myself and what I did for my conscience.
