Ethics in the Workplace

Sheryl Verhulst — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 05:35:32 -0400

RallyPoint Community, I am in need of your guidance! I work for a NPO in the local area. Recently my department (Programs) were asked to take a survey about the department and our experience. A survey is conducted twice a year - this is my first time taking one with them. We were told that the surveys would be anonymous. Well unfortunately we have had mostly a negative experience in the past 6 months due to newly appointed leadership. The surveys were brutally honest (my colleagues and I discussed the survey). I find out that after the fact that the surveys did not go to HR (or another 3rd party) but went directly to management of our department, which is the supervisor in question and her supervisor.

Here's my problem: Because we are such a small department, it would be very easy to discern who said what even though our names aren't attached. Additionally, the surveys went directly to the individuals and department it was about.

I see this as a complete breach of work place ethics. When I tried to address the matter with the director of out department, I was told "it's a programmatic survey so it has to go to the Programs department." And that "Many places do it this way".

This has not been my experience, and I am still troubled by what took place. Integrity means a lot to me so I see this as a "big deal". Am I wrong? Aren't there laws in place to prevent this sort of thing happening? What am I missing? If there is a violation of ethics and law, who do I go to? I am not getting any support from my work place.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Mar 16 at 2015 6:11 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 06:11:54 -0400

Most survey companies have the survey go directly to them and specific results are not given for managers with less that so many people (that number can vary slightly by survey org) so no one can tell who might have rated any idividual question etc. Normally these surveys are only scores (1-5) for each question almost never allowing for comments as they can point back to specific individuals.

If surveys are going directly back to managers then they have likely not hired a professional survey organization as this would never happen with them. My company has used Gallup for employee surveys for years so I am familiar with the process and how results are sent out etc.

If you do not believe it is being done appropriately then do not participate. There is really nothing you can do legally for a survey since they are "voluntary". Some will tell you it is voluntary but then tell you they expect 100% participation. If a company cannot be trusted to take an employee survey honestly and forthrightly then you might be working at the wrong company.

Some companies take surveys so they can say "look how great we are" others take them because they are serious about employee engagement in the workplace and want to work in improving their scores by better enagement etc.

Response by SGT Joseph Jones made Mar 16 at 2015 6:59 AM

SGT Joseph Jones — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 06:59:20 -0400

Unless you have backlash for what you said I don't think they've violated anything except your trust. Next time just write in there you can't trust the company. They'll get the message

Response by SSgt June Worden made Mar 16 at 2015 8:47 AM

SSgt June Worden — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 08:47:55 -0400

Have you experienced retaliation for your input? If the company has a sincere interest in making changes, then your opinion should count for something. If not, then maybe this employer isn't who you should be working for... Never compromise your ethics/morals to satisfy others. You won't forgive yourself if you do! Best of luck.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Mar 16 at 2015 11:54 AM

CPT Richard Riley — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 11:54:04 -0400

Ethics can be a sticky wicket. Different people/organizations have dissimilar and inconsistent ideas of how ethics applies in a situation. This said, you may feel mislead in taking this survey because you believed the results would not go to your chain-of-command directly. Since this is not the case, as long as you are not being singled out or reprimanded for your responses use this as an opportunity to 'clear the air and build a better bridge'.

Don't be too upset by the 'many places do it this way' comment. It may not be accurate, but seems that your place of employment follows the leader on things instead of setting their own goals and accomplishments. As far as a law preventing it, unless you can prove malice or harm the only thing that has taken place is a little white lie to get you to be honest and take the survey.

Hang in there and good luck.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 16 at 2015 12:00 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:00:57 -0400

What you see isn't a direct ethics violation, but it is a potential conflict of interests, which could lead to a breach of ethics.

The concern is whether the information gained will be used adversely, or constructively.

If the management team takes corrective action based on your feedback, there is no problem. If you are penalized for what you believe is the surveys, then there is a problem that needs to be addressed. However, as you said, there were already problems.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Mar 16 at 2015 12:45 PM

COL Ted Mc — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:45:29 -0400

IF your employer solicited your participation by making a direct representation that participation would be anonymous AND IF there are any adverse consequences arising from your participation (which includes management "keeping an eye on you") you may well have an actionable case.

Whether there is any net gain (to you - not to your lawyer) out of having an actionable case is a totally different matter.