Need an ethics coach?

Last updated on: October 13, 2014 at 2:55 pm by Mission:Work

Need an ethics coach? 2014-09-30T15:56:36-05:00 Mission:Work

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We just ran into this column by Gael O’Brien on Entrepreneur‘s website. While the advice does not come from an explicit faith perspective, it is often good advice about tricky cases: worth checking out.

(And if you subscribe to the magazine, the August 2014 issue has a great Q and A by O’Brien on religion in the workplace. We’re working to snag it when it goes online. In the meantime, here’s a musing on the same topic from another Entrepreneur author, focused on the issue of time off from work for religious observance…AND a consideration of some legal issues involved in workplace faith in a case reviewed in the National Law Review.)

Here’s a sample of the ethics advice:

Q: I am an independent mechanic in Tennessee, a primarily rural state that doesn’t require auto inspections. I get a lot of requests to fix cars for people who can’t afford to pay. In areas without reliable public transit, people depend on cars to survive. How do I say no? Should I stop seeing them because they are costing me money? And worse: What if they continue to drive, even if I tell them it’s not safe?

A: Many entrepreneurs feel a strong responsibility to give back to their communities, helping those who need their products or services but can’t pay for them. Some take this on when their business is financially solid; others make pro bono work part of their business model; still others become activists to find collaborative solutions.

You know you need to set boundaries. If you continue to shoulder too much responsibility for the community, your business will suffer. One way to help yourself say no comfortably: Team up with other local businesses and organizations–mechanics, insurance companies, vocational schools and nonprofits that work with low-income residents–to set up a program that provides pro bono services. That will help spread the responsibility of fixing all the cars that may be road and safety hazards. Perhaps you could be the catalyst in starting that discussion in your community. Start small, engage others and build from there.

Sounds like a contribution to human flourishing to us!

Image: 256/365, Flickr.

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