What to Do When Your Ethics Are Tested

When you start your own business or start freelancing, you are in control of plenty of things. However, there's some things you cannot control. of which are: the ethics and morals of the clients or customers. By and large most clients/customers will be as upright and honest as you are, but how ought to you handle an unethical situation, in the event that they are not?

Always keep in mind that you "reap what you sow." Although this quote is taken from a scripture in the Bible, it is true, whether you think in the Bible or not. In case you require to continue to have a business in nice standing, you require to maintain and stick to nice standards as well, keep in mind: "Madoff" For example, let's say you have a client who is a salon owner and you handle their bookkeeping. While you know that tips are to be reported as income, the client asks you not to put any of their tips on record. What do you do in a situation like this?

Let your clients know that they also benefit from your high moral values and the fact that you will never steal from them or do anything to harm them or their business endeavors in any way. Another nice tip is: Don't neglect putting everything that is expected of you in writing and/or start out on a freelance web-site where both the client and freelancer are protected. In case you take this route, the job description is clearly outlined on the world wide web-site.

While the situation above doesn't apply to any of our personal clients, let's use it as an example. In this case as well as others, I must say the first line of defense, is a great offense. While you are no doubt enthusiastic and happy to get your first client, understand that you require to set the tone. Let the client/customer know a bit about yourself and your standards. Mention at the beginning that you conduct business aboveboard at all times. This alone will be a clear indicator to those who behave unethically and plenty of will make an excuse to move on and work with somebody else at this point. Think about it a bullet dodged and put your positive efforts and energies in to getting your next, ethical customer.

So what happens if you are already working with a client and they try to pull a rapid? While you may not require to lose the client, your ethics ought to always come first. In case you have high morals, this ought to shine through clearly in your business dealings. So again, if you are introduced with this situation by a current client, be very clear that you don't agree with doing anything that is against the laws of the land or illegal; then put the onus on them to make the decision about where the working relationship will go from there. In case you lose the client don't fret, think back to the first paragraph of this post: while you cannot control them, you can control how hard you work to get the next HONEST client. It may mean you ought to get up a bit earlier that next morning, but it is well worth it. Don't shun hard work or envy those who appear to get away with doing unethical things. Even if somebody seems to get away with wrongdoing for years without getting caught, it will finally happen, here again: "Madoff" comes to mind. Also, it doesn't matter how well you are doing in your business or the amount of fame or celebrity your client may have, in case you do things unethically ( when dealing with the government), you will get caught. think of how plenty of celebrities have been thrown in jail for tax evasion, it is nothing to play with and celebrity means nothing when breaking such laws. So STAND FIRM, all you new freelancers and in case you require to work part-time at Mickey D's (hopefully you won't) while getting your first HONEST client, so be it! There is dignity in ALL honest work; make definite you don't lose yours by working with an unethical client.