Pressured to do something unethical

[Anonymous]

OP: You have a specific situation, but have not shared specifics so any advice will likely be too general in nature.

[Anonymous]

Our HR director at a small Federal agency was trying to disqualify all of the veterans who applied for a GS-9 loan specialist position as not meeting minimum qualifications, even though they had a master's degree and met minimum qualifications with the masters degree. She was doing this because a lot of managers in the agency didn't like hiring veterans. I had to inform her that they all met the minimum qualifications with their degree, even though they may not be the best qualified and the disabled veterans go to the top of the list.

[Anonymous]

I have been the victim of unethical behavior. It’s infuriating how everyone just shrugs their shoulders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have used the "document and do it" approach in situations where I disagreed with how something was being done, but if it is something unethical, I would refuse to do it.

this is an important distinction. if you just disagree with a decision, document and do it. if you think it’s waste, fraud or abuse, or otherwise unethical, do not do it and report to OIG. sometimes especially if you are an attorney those lines are not always clear. I think there has been only one time in my career where I disagreed with a policy decision so strongly that I refused to do it. My boss just took the file from me and took me off the matter. Basically I was being asked to rubber stamp something that looked totally off to me.

Complicated story, but it turned out that based on the information I had, I was totally correct. But I did not have all the information because something sensitive/confidential that was related was going on. When I later found out about it, the whole thing made sense. But I felt good about my refusal to rubber stamp since I didn’t have access to the right information.

I also strongly dislike being kept in the dark about projects I’m on, so I felt like it was a good message to my supervisory chain about how they needed to treat me. Fortunately at that time they were trustworthy people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask them if they could put that request in a email and send it to you. If they balk, then just roll your eyes.

They did! They sent a mass email with vague requests on how to elevate requests - I promptly replied with the policies that apply - then they went over me to discuss with the office director level. So then it went beyond me and I'm supposed to wait for direction from leadership.

Ok so if leadership emails you back and tells you to do something you find unethical, email back and say “I don’t want to proceed like this because I’m concerned this is unethical or could create the appearance of impropriety.”

Do you have an ethics office? I used to run stuff my ethics constantly when I was a fed.

[Anonymous]

You should always disobey an unethical or immoral order. “My supervisor made me do it” is not a valid defense. Stick to your guns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would anyone like to share an instance of when they pushed back on pressure to do something unethical?
I'm a fed. Not even a supervisor, but have a significant amount of respect and leadership in my role.
A (acting, I should say) supervisor is now in the process of pressuring me to do something unethical.
(This is not the example, but a similar situation would be requesting reimbursement for something like reserving a restaurant or conference space for an event in our government travel system, which is clearly prohibited.)

My supervisor supports me and is trying to find appropriate ways to address this person's behavior (like a discussion with that person's supervisor on appropriate communications), and is prepared to explain to leadership that if they push for this thing, we advise that the solicitor's office weigh in.

I'm hoping that it's cleared up and dropped soon, but it weighs on me because it's hampered my ability to do my job.

I am also frustrated that people in leadership positions seem to enable this person's behavior.

I think I have been a bit insulated from things like this- generally I have an amazing experience and wonderful working relationships with my colleagues and leadership. So this is a rare event and I may be taking it more personally than necessary.

Can you share an example of a time when you were pressured to do something unethical? What did you do?

Thank you!

Also a Fed. I was in an administrative role but approved people's timesheets. I was asked to approve an exorbitant amount of overtime. I finally point blank told the person that I was not going to approve it and he should take it up with his supervisor. No blowback because the guy was a tool and by the end of his assignment with our office everyone knew not to ask me to do anything for him because I disliked him intensely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should always disobey an unethical or immoral order. “My supervisor made me do it” is not a valid defense. Stick to your guns.

it 100% absolutely is, so long as you have documented first.

[Anonymous]

You could document The Ask in an email to the person asking, and state The Policy of why it's not allowed. And cc a few superiors.

Or, you could just state to them that this is what you are going to do if they ever bring stuff like this up, ever again.

[Anonymous]

Not as a fed, but was asked to help a contractor underbid another contractor (tell them what the other guys bid). I refused, even though I was told it was standard operating procedure. Leadership backed down, and allowed the process to go on as planned.
Their friend lost the bid fair and square. Had they not backed down, I was willing to quit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask them if they could put that request in a email and send it to you. If they balk, then just roll your eyes.

They did! They sent a mass email with vague requests on how to elevate requests - I promptly replied with the policies that apply - then they went over me to discuss with the office director level. So then it went beyond me and I'm supposed to wait for direction from leadership.

Then you've kind of already "won"?

[Anonymous]

Bumping. Wondered what happened, OP. I am facing something similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not as a fed, but was asked to help a contractor underbid another contractor (tell them what the other guys bid). I refused, even though I was told it was standard operating procedure. Leadership backed down, and allowed the process to go on as planned.
Their friend lost the bid fair and square. Had they not backed down, I was willing to quit

I used to sell consulting and quite often people wanted to hire my firm as we were really good. It it was competitive bidding I tell them tell me lowest and if I can will beat it if not I will not bid.

It was win win they got who they wanted at a lower price and I did not waste their time and my time bidding on something my bid was too high.

What is problem?

[Anonymous]

Sometimes the lines are not clear.
Sometimes the line is clear, the person is infringing, but it's not actually hurting anyone directly (it's a procedure issue, not something that could cause harm), so people have gotten used to ignoring it.

As a PP said, you essentially have to look out for yourself: if this has the potential of blowing up in your face such that you face legal action, you should refuse to do it if your superiors come back to approve the request.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not as a fed, but was asked to help a contractor underbid another contractor (tell them what the other guys bid). I refused, even though I was told it was standard operating procedure. Leadership backed down, and allowed the process to go on as planned.
Their friend lost the bid fair and square. Had they not backed down, I was willing to quit

I used to sell consulting and quite often people wanted to hire my firm as we were really good. It it was competitive bidding I tell them tell me lowest and if I can will beat it if not I will not bid.

It was win win they got who they wanted at a lower price and I did not waste their time and my time bidding on something my bid was too high.

What is problem?

That's not how government contracts work. It's unethical and illegal. If you don't see a problem then I want nothing to do with you or your firm.