When should you report unethical behavior at work?

Witnessing unethical behavior at your workplace in Arizona may cause unease and angst. You may wonder how and if you should report what you saw.

How to inform your employer of your concerns without jeopardizing your job is a valid question. If the unethical behavior involves higher-ups, you may feel even more hesitant to blow the whistle.

Recognizing unethical behavior

You want to make sure that before you say anything you have ample evidence to substantiate your concerns. You also want to make sure that the behavior you report does indeed violate the code of ethics. According to the Online News Magazine, some examples of unethical conduct include the following:

• Payment fraud
• Harassment
• Misuse of company property

Another often-overlooked, unethical behavior is when workers witness unethical conduct, but choose to stay silent. Your resolve to stand up for what is right can solidify your integrity.

Responding to unethical behavior

Take a settled approach at first. Observe the behavior and keep a record of what you see. Factcheck your findings against corporate policies and best practices. Once you have ample information, take your concerns to a supervisor. Present the facts and omit your personal opinion or any accusatory statements. If the behavior continues and your employer does nothing about it, you may need to take your concerns elsewhere.

You may have very real concerns about losing your job over your decision to report unethical behavior. However, you do have protections under the law. If your employer retaliates against you as a result, you can take legal action. An attorney can assist you in organizing the facts of your case to address the repercussions you face because of your decision to do the right thing.