Operating within an ethically dubious environment can have various effects on one's professional conduct, particularly when it comes to developing relational standards.
Working for a firm that violates laws or morals can make you question your own moral beliefs and lead to a loss of faith in yourself. This effect may result in poor decision-making, which can have detrimental consequences in both your professional and personal life. In this essay, we shall explore how exposure to unethical dilemmas in operational settings shapes relational values.
Operating in such environments might cause one to compromise their principles and accept wrongdoing without even realizing it. When exposed to immoral acts repeatedly, one may start accepting them as normal behavior, resulting in a lack of empathy towards others who are affected by the actions. As time goes by, they become desensitized to these events, making it difficult to differentiate between right and wrong. Therefore, one may find themselves acting unethically without even being aware of it. These situations might be tempting because individuals usually seek to preserve their reputation, status, and livelihood. Hence, they tend to do what they are told rather than stand up against wrongdoers.
Operating in an immoral setting could lead to feelings of guilt and shame, especially if the person has previously held high moral standards. One might experience emotional turmoil due to the tension created by the contrast between their previous principles and current actions. They might feel guilty about betraying their principles and believe that they have failed their colleagues and superiors. Such feelings can harm the individual's mental wellbeing since they might feel like they have lost control over their lives and identity.
Working for an unscrupulous firm might prompt you to engage in deceptive practices to keep your job.
One might need to conceal information from their bosses or clients to protect themselves from being fired or losing business. This situation leads to dishonesty and creates a culture where lying becomes accepted practice.
People start justifying such conduct since it is seen as necessary for survival, leading to further erosion of relational values.
Exposure to ethical violations might lead to a loss of trustworthiness among team members. When others realize that someone has acted wrongly, they might lose faith in them, resulting in mistrust, resentment, and reduced collaboration. The person may also face difficulties forming meaningful relationships with co-workers who respect integrity and honesty. Thus, they may become isolated and lonely, reducing their productivity and performance at work.
Operating in morally challenged environments can shape relational values negatively, causing individuals to compromise on their beliefs, suffer emotional distress, practice deceit, and lose trustworthiness. Hence, firms should ensure their employees operate under ethical conditions to avoid these undesirable consequences.
How does exposure to ethical dilemmas in operational environments shape relational values?
Exposing individuals to ethical dilemmas in their workplace is likely to influence their perception of what constitutes an appropriate relationship between themself and others within that context. This can be attributed to several factors, including the individual's past experiences, cultural norms, and social conditioning.