Ethics Newsline®

Edmonton Journal reports that workers in knowledge industries sometimes put themselves in conflict

EDMONTON
As the economy tightens, more people are picking up extra cash by moonlighting — but, according to a report from the Edmonton Journal, they’re also confronting some related ethical dilemmas.

Writing in the Journal, freelancer Caitlin Crenshaw notes that moonlighters run the risk of harming their reputations if it becomes known they have put themselves in a conflict of interest.

Crenshaw quotes Simon Fraser University business ethics professor Mark Wexler: “These days, when you’re selling knowledge, you don’t get an audience if your reputation isn’t good.”

Wexler points out that one of the particularly tricky areas is the use of proprietary knowledge and skills. While it is clear to most people that using company equipment for side work is not appropriate, Wexler poses a nettling scenario about specialized information: “Say, I’m a chef. You hire me. I work 40 hours for you. I have your secret recipe for some kind of salad dressing. Someone else hires me part-time and I make the salad dressing. There’s a problem — or a potential problem.”

Wexler maintains that the only foolproof option is total transparency, both to the full-time employer and your moonlighting client. Moonlighters should clearly communicate the circumstances of their actions, he tells the Journal, and be up-front about how their time will be divided.

Source: Edmonton Journal, Aug. 22.

For more information, see: Related Newsline story, May 19 — Related Newsline story, Mar. 17 — Related Newsline story, Jan. 14 — Related Newsline story, Dec. 17, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Oct. 8, 2007.