Ethical question

A simple question... yet not easy to answer!

Would you refuse a contract for ethical reason? By this I mean if you would have the chance to a contract for a company, which you believe to have unmoral ways, would you refuse the contract because of this or would you accept anyway?

For exemple: Creating an ad for a tobacco company will contribute in all the sickness caused by tobacco (lungs cancer). Or lets taker a look at Nike who get the stuff manufactured by children’s in third world countries... will you work for these type of company... Would you fell bad if you do?

I believe in ethics and I believe than refusing a contract for your own ethical reason is normal... Better lose a bit of cash than your self-respect!

Depends on the ad. I've seen a couple beer ads that try to encourage responsible drinking, but I believe that one's desire for income should not outweight their desire to do whats right.

Everyone has to decide for themselves where they draw the line.

To take it even further... look at the back or bottom of some of your electronics you own. Made in Hong Kong. Made in Mexico. Made in Malaysia. Not because those countries produce superior quality. Because they produce those products very cheaply. And I'd be willing to bet that the working conditions in some of those places are sub-standard compared to the conditions in many other countries. But you still *bought* the product and use it right? That cordless phone. That motherboard. That digital watch. That TV. That car you drive. All likely made, at least partially, in 2nd and 3rd world countires. You gonna throw them away now? Did the area where *you* draw the line just suddenly change?

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem working for Nike. Tobacco companies are where I draw the line. Their product kills people. So does the fast food industry. Both of which aggresively target children in their marketing campaigns. But when I go home and need to use the phone or want to fire-up Photoshop, I'm not going to let the fact that the products were produced in 3rd world countries prevent me from do so or buying them again in the future.

I don't care unless the job is for an illegal operation. If its just immoral, I don't give a flyin' flip. Morality is terribly subjective. Laws are very definitive and binding. I don't exactly see how anybody could get into many situations doing work for an illegal operation, but I suppose it can happen.

Now granted, I wouldn't do any work for any wacky/extremist groups like PETA, anti-abortion groups, the KKK, or other potential problem group. But if some place like a porn mag/video company would come along, I would take the work. Such a business is perfectly legit and probably much higher paying than any wacko group with an agenda.

As for places that have been known to have foreign kids working in sweat shops. That wouldn't bother me unless the news story broke while I was working for the company. Usually stuff like that is kept under wraps and unless you're a higher-up, you'd never know about such a thing with a company unless a reporter broke the news. Getting a black eye with that information hasn't stopped a company like Nike from maintaining a high profile in light of that information.

There are men of principles, and i agree with you Delisk, better to lose money than to lose your own dignity, that's my opinion.

If you have a personal problem with it, then don't do it. I've never turned down a job before... Even did a little work for an "adult" magazine one time. I didn't have a problem with it though.

Come to think of it, if you refuse to work for a company that uses children in sweatshops, you're not supporting them by not buying the products, instead, you force their work to go to waste.

I have been offered freelance jobs designing porn sites and porn-esque sites. I turned them down because they were a huge conflict of interest with my FT job. It could have been a bit scandalous and there was a very good chance I would have lost my job.

Other than that, I have never turned anything down and I doubt I ever will. (extreme things like the KKK excluded, but i don't anticipate being approached by them any time soon)

Originally posted by Charm
I have been offered freelance jobs designing porn sites and porn-esque sites. I turned them down because they were a huge conflict of interest with my FT job. It could have been a bit scandalous and there was a very good chance I would have lost my job.

Oooohh boy.... I can see where that would have been a VERY VERY big problem!

Like Deker said..... if you think its wrong.... if it's something you are personally against....

Dont do it.

I probably wouldn't do an add for tabacco ever.. but making adds for tabacco is forbidden in Belgium so noone would probably ask.

Won't do websites/adds for a "rascist" political partie.