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ethics of self-preservation
I work in a senior position at a poorly run marketing agency. Work has slowed down significantly, so employees are cutting back on hours and pay. The owners have promised to get new jobs, but have made no progress in that direction. I'm looking for a new job and have found some very attractive job offers from current clients. I think I would be a great candidate because I know a lot of the players and they know and like my work. Although we do not have a non-compete, I am concerned that if I apply for a client's job, I will further harm my employer. Will the client take that as a red flag? Will jumping on customers hasten the demise of your current company?
– Anonymous
You won't be harming your employer by taking on a new job with one of their clients. You are not responsible for your employer's death. If the roles were reversed, you wouldn't be offered even a fraction of the consideration you're offering. It's work and you may love it, but as I've said many times before, work doesn't and can't love you back. As long as you don't have a non-compete issue (which may not matter anyway, since the Federal Trade Commission banned non-competes last week), by all means take on the client. When a client asks why you're leaving your agency, you can be diplomatic or tell the truth. This is not an ethical issue. For example, it would only be unethical if you took a position with a customer and then shared sensitive information about your former employer or other customers.
Too conscientious boss
I manage a small, high-performing team at a nonprofit organization. After last year's annual review, I contacted my boss and requested a raise for each member of my team and myself, taking into account both the annual cost-of-living raise and my desired merit raise. . I then shared with that person what I wanted for each individual and made sure they knew they had someone to advocate for them. This seemed like a good decision at the time to show that I appreciated their efforts.
However, I recently received a notice of raise. While everyone's salaries did increase, they didn't reach the numbers I expected. Now, looking at some of the reactions, I'm worried that my expectations were too high and I was disappointed. Was it a mistake to give them the specific raise I was expecting? How should I follow up? Should I even follow up at all?
– Anonymous
Although I meant it well, I made a mistake. In the future, you can tell your team members that you intend to push for a raise, but don't give them the exact number until you know what that number is. In this case, you're letting your team down, and that's what you're seeing right now. I don't know if I should follow you or not. It might just rub a little salt in the wound and make them even more angry. They probably don't care about your good intentions right now. The best way forward is to learn from this mistake. And don't be too hard on yourself. You were acting from a good point. You'll also want to think of other ways you can show your team how much you value their efforts.
