What strikes me as one of the biggest problems with corporate responsibility as out-lined in Leading with Integrity, Kolp and Rea, is the trickle down aspect of corporate policies. My years as a retail clerk with Meier & Frank left me responsible and accountable for circumstances way out of my control. They had a credit application mandate – for every 4 hours I worked, I was expected to solicit customers to apply for a store credit card. My reviews and raises were directly tied into this policy. I found many moral and ethical problems with selling a credit card with an interest rate of at least 22%. There were managers who encouraged soliciting teens and non-English speaking people as “they don't understand what you are saying and will fill out the form.” I was reprimanded and threatened with a “write-up”once for throwing out an application when the non-English speaking customer conveyed to me she didn't understand the form she was filling out. Although I was an exceptional employee with complete customer satisfaction, I was consistently denied the full raise I deserved as I refused to adhere to this policy.
So where does that leave the peon forced to carry-out corporate policies? The Brass at this company boasted of integrity and commitment to people with a subtle behind the scenes money maker. I resisted and paid the price. Yes, I could quit, and eventually did, but my economic situation dictated I work there. This retail corporation used Machiavellian cynicism and greed to ensure those without power carry out their unethical policies. Corporations are able to veil some of their more unethical and corrupt policies by removing their accountability with the blanket “we cannot be responsible for individual store policies.” How does one take a stand without a title?

Comments

[Lori Chance]

By leaving you took your stand.

The ability to pay the bills is an incredible factor in many ways. I've been there. But I think there's a deeper question behind it: How much of our personal integrity are we willing to compromise and for how long? We must each find out own answers, however, I believe those who learn how to stop sacrificing their integrity are the one's who rise as leaders.

The higher ups may have the title, but everyone has a choice. Additional options might have included blowing the whistle whether through a formal system, or in the media; securing another job before leaving so as to ensure your own needs are met while getting yourself out of the trap; or even just quitting. We may not always like our options, but they do exist.

Sometimes it is in sacrificing our integrity for a time that we are able to learn how important it truly is - and then we can teach that lesson to others.