I need to rant, or I will implode. One of my clients just called me at home on a Friday night to bitch, whine, and try to bully me into doing something that is both unethical and illegal. My blood pressure is up so far I can hear the thumping in my ears.
The Reader’s Digest version is this:
I work in a highly regulated industry. There are things that I cannot offer or do for clients/potential clients because they are considered an “inducement”…in other words, a bribe in exchange for business.
This does not, however stop many of the larger companies in my industry from doing these things anyway. They get caught, pay their (often substantial) fines, and do it all over again. Wash, rinse, repeat. The fact that this goes on makes things rough on those of us that follow the rules (“C’mon! Other people do it!”).
Client A called me in full-on pushy and aggressive mode trying to get me to provide a service to Client B (who has the potential to give Client A business as well as me). When I told her that I can’t, and why I can’t she got even more pushy and started snapping at me that if I didn’t, Client B was going to use someone else (for at least my portion of the services), and that I needed to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Client A and I have worked together for the past two and a half years, and had even become friends outside of work. So it surprised me when she then began hinting heavily that if I didn’t start to “play ball” that I would lose her business as well… even though she knows what she wants me to do is against the law. As she put it, “Oh get over it! It’ll be a long time before anyone gets around to investigating you . They want the big companies!”
Back up the fucking yam truck, sister…
I have a license, a business, and a reputation on the line here. I do not violate the law, or my own morals to please you or anyone else.
I have gone to great pains to become well-educated and highly skilled in my field. I take pride in offering the highest level of technical ability and customer service to those I work with. I do NOT need or want the business of those who would only give it to me based on whatever “freebies” I would give them rather than on my professional abilities.
I don’t give a shit what the “other companies” are doing. I don’t care if you think I am unlikely to get caught. What you want is illegal…I showed you a copy of the statute, in fact. Asking me to do it is unethical. So I would rather sandpaper a bobcat’s ass in a phone booth than do it, capish?
Bite me!
Thank you…that is all…as you were.
(Damn…amazing how theraputic some furious typing can be…!)
**2. I have gone to great pains to become well-educated and highly skilled in my field. I take pride in offering the highest level of technical ability and customer service to those I work with. I do NOT need or want the business of those who would only give it to me based on whatever “freebies” I would give them rather than on my professional abilities.
**
Perfect. Next time this comes up repeat point number two to the baglicker.
And you can add the thing about the Bobcat’s ass too, that was hysterical!
I once had a boss make a borderline illegal request. Thing is, it was such a small request that I would have considered it if we hadn’t gone through several weeks of intense ethical reinforcement messages from the corporate folks. So I and several other people in my group, who also got the request, thought it was some sort of test and refused to do it. Later we found out he was serious, and was just a really clueless asshole.
I wish it worked as well in my field, vetbridge . You just never know if enforcement will be swift, or at a snail’s pace.
Right now there is a HUGE scandal going on in my industry involving illegal practices that began almost 7 years ago. It involves both state and federal authorities as well as millions of dollars. (Yep…enforcement is just getting around to doing something about it). Frustrating, eh?
Then again, ocassionally I will see 5 examiners descend on an office and go through files, ledgers, and even trash bins until they have determined who paid for the last roll of toilet paper.
I wish I could say this about the two people I am dealing with. The clue phone’s been ringing, they just don’t wanna answer.
My job requires me to handle important confidential legal documents and literally hundreds of thousands of dollars of other people’s money. If I am someone you would trust with that kind of responsibility, why would you think you could get away with asking me to do something illegal for you? :mad:
Anybody who wants that can take their low-life, slack-jawed, knuckle-dragging, sorry assed self outta here and go bother somebody else.
You know, we actually enjoy that sort of thing. Could you just get that spot there, on the left? Little further… there. Thanks.
Good for you… I am continually amazed at some of the people in my field and their inability to follow basic ethical guidelines. Nice to see someone actually standing up for the right thing.
