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?

