fear and loathing in business ethics

When I presented at the PMI Global Congress in Malta about Corporate Social Responsibility, an American from a large insurance firm posed a question.

"I like your ideas about integrating CSR into corporate strategy, and evaluating projects not just for risks to schedule and costs, but also looking at ethical and social risks. I want to take these ideas back to my company and implement them. But what happens if I talk to my boss, and he doesn't like the idea? What then?"

"Well," I said, "Ultimately you need to determine where your priorities are. If you think this is a good idea for your firm, and will ultimately change how your company does business for the better, as well as preserve its reputation, it may be in your best interest to talk to others within the company, to circulate the ideas and see if they can get traction."

He laughed. "I need your business card! If I do that and lose my job, I'M CALLING YOU!"

It's sad when people are afraid to speak up, especially when what they have to share isn't bad news about their project or budget, but rather a good idea on how they can make their company better. But more than sad, it represents a risk to the company's ethical culture.

Marianne Jennings of the Makkula Center of Applied Ethics believes that to front-line employees, the line between right and wrong is very bright. Something happens to people as they climb up through management. The bright line seems to fade. The challenge is getting information about ethical breeches from the front line up to the right people who will take action. Too often, fear and silence thwart those efforts.

Are these fears unfounded?

According to the journal Strategic Finance ,

Based on the total failure of whistleblowers to obtain protection from discrimination under the provisions of SOX Section 806, perhaps employees still have good reason to fear retaliation. Of the nearly 1,000 complaints filed under SOX 806 in the five years since its enactment, not one person has survived the appeal process and won his/her case.

I guess not.