Welcome to March 2011 everyone. Three months ago I wondered what crazy things will this new decade bring in store for us. Well we some crazy hockey going on, new technology trying to amaze us, and of course several countries deciding it is time for a change at the top. Of course we still have the snow (at the time of writing this it is windy and snowing in Waterloo) and gas prices are still high.
I got around to sending out the One Hour Challenge (OHC) invites and I will find out at the end of the week how much interest is out there. I am also pondering whether or not to make a request to the CCF committee about a special presentation but I still have to finalize a blueprint for what to present, if it is appropriate, and whether it has an impact on anyone.
I am also glad to report that I finally found full time employment after I graduate from UW. I am surprised that they did want me but I am honoured to work at recognized corporation and the people there felt that I can contribute long term. The unfortunate part is that some of my relatives took verbal shots at me for aiming so low and questioned why I did not aim for something for the big fish like Microsoft or Google. I am not complaining, I am content to start work and with the people I will be workin with, I did sense some excitement ahead. I personally do not think I aimed low.
Once again, this is why I have opposition to traditional Chinese (Asian) values. There is no satisfying the expectations, impossible demands, or the mentality “the ends justify the means”. To make it more obvious, the company sent me an employee ethics handbook that all new hires must read and sign off that they understand. I read it through and I thought it all made sense and they are very cautious with all employee dealings, projects, and associates. However, when a family member asked me what I was reading and I told them ethics, they got mad at the handbook saying it is so un-Chinese and is an obstacle to making money, which they claim is the ONLY thing that matters. Maybe that explains much about how things work in Asia if that’s the mindset.
There was even a classic scenario that I think some of you have studied or answered before:
[Situation A]
You work for a design firm creating a new advertisement for a boat company. They released a model and want you to create a poster seen on streets, billboards, and subway stations. Your manager wants you to draw seven adults people on the boat having a good time. The company sends you specifications, images, and whatever you need to design the poster. You notice from safety testing and legal requirements that the max capacity of the boat is four adults at most. You recognize the problem. You inform your manager that the safety specifications limits a max of four occupants. Your manager tells you to shut up and draw seven people unless you want to find yourself unemployed very quickly. What do you do?
[1] Report this to higher authority in the firm (anonymously)
[2] Refuse to do the work and cite your Ontario Labour law rights if the manager threatens you
[3] Shut your mouth and do it
The sad part is that you can tell who has integrity and who is crooked just by asking people what they think of this question. Just recently I did a devo on Proverbs 28 and here is verse 18: “Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.” (ESV). I mean, is doing the right thing that unpopular these days? Is it that hard to do?
Let’s says you keep quiet and do the poster. People buy this boat and someone gets injured (or worse). Then lawsuits are filed and your design firm is implicated. People lose their jobs. And you try to find another job but no (competent) hiring manager will bother with an unethical person now and the future doesn’t look so bright anymore. Even if you claim to another company it wasn’t your fault, you did not speak up against it and followed the crowd. If anything this hurts everyone.
There were other similar ethical scenarios that I am sure many companies test their employees. I am disappointed that when you give the righteous answer and people give you heck for it such as, “Oh you are the government’s lapdog!” and “Go follow the rules and finish last!” And we wonder why the world is in turbulence if people can even get the basics right (sin comes to mind, and no not the FFX kind). It becomes even more important why we should all be the salt and light to the workplace in the face of uncertainty (see Luke 13:30).
Now that my schedule is a bit less hectic I can update more often. Thanks for reading and do not punch the cow.
Huntz
