About conflicting values

01/31/2017

Lately I have been thinking a lot of the pressure that conflicting values cause to officials and public servants. I mean, when you enter the organization you probably are aware the main values, objectives and vision the organization has. If that is largely something you would oppose in your personal life you'd probably wouldn't have sought to work there in the first place. At least I think that would be the ideal situation: when you have the ability to choose where to work, you would most likely choose something you are comfortable with, right?

Once again, I am referring to the current situation here in the US. During his first days the new President has been very industrious signing executive orders. Some of them are more controversial than others and have immediately affected the administration from top to grassroots workers. Over the weekend the situation was getting chaotic at many of the US airports. Border control personnel weren't sure how to react to the newly signed order to ban people from certain countries to enter the country.

To quote Carrie Bradshaw, I couldn't help but wonder what is going through their minds as they tell those people they are not welcome after all. What happens when you suddenly realize that your personal values are in great conflict with what you are asked to do? What options do you have?

To carry on. Put your personal values aside.
To talk to your supervisor/ boss / ethics advisor. Is this something you can still work with? Maybe there's a way to avoid working on certain issues that are uncomfortable to your conscience.
To resign. If the organization as such represents values you are not sharing maybe it would be nicer to work somewhere else?
To blow the whistle. If you find yourself in a situation where you are asked to do something unethical or even illegal... I suggest blowing the whistle. Some organizations have in-built whistle blowing systems but others don't so if there is no one to talk to within the organization talking to the police or press could do the trick.

I am sure there are a couple more options out there and the theory is always more black and white than the reality is. But that's the fun thing in ethical reasoning! There is always an option! Many times you hear leaders and politicians say "We had no option. We HAD to do it this way". I think that is just being lazy. I would prefer to hear "After careful consideration on multiple options, we chose to go this way. And this is why we chose this option...". At least then you will have good arguments to back up your decision.

These value discussions are important. We work +/- 40 hours a week: it really matters if we are anxious all the time. I think I will discuss more about values later this spring.