Article January 16, 2006 Issue

BUSINESS ETHICS

Standing up for integrity protects an employee and a company.

BY MARIE TAILLEFER

The job I had just been offered as management secretary gave me considerable responsibility. I was thrilled. After a month of working with the person who was leaving the post, I was certain that, since every aspect of the work suited me, God had really guided me to the ideal place.

Two days before the end of my trial period, I was offered the position, but, at the same time, informed about the hidden administrative part of my work, covering secret social and financial accounts. I was told what my actual salary would be but also the amount of my fictitious salary—in other words, the part not declared to the tax office. I expressed my surprise, but I liked my new duties and told them I would give them my reply the following day.

What should I do? Had God put me in such a situation? I really needed to think and pray.