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AIBU?

To apply for a job in a commpany with nasty reputation?

74 replies

MrsBirdseye · 27/10/2017 15:01

would you? job would be somewhere on entry level, not really involved in doing anything nasty, but the company isn't exactly respectable in public eye. (not Monsanto, but something that's known for nasty shit)

OP posts:

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EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 27/10/2017 15:05

My nasty shit level would be tobacco or weapons. I'd apply for a job in one of those industries if I was desperate, but the thought of being embarrassed to admit who I worked for would be a big turn off.

Cornettoninja · 27/10/2017 15:07

Depends, presuming you mean ethics rather than a culture of bullying/mistreating employees then it's completely down to you.

someone happy to work for GSK may not be happy to work for Barclays. Completely down to personal morals.

VladmirsPoutine · 27/10/2017 15:08

I'd do it. What sort of nasty are we talking?

I don't think Monsanto is satan incarnated into commercialism. Neither do I think big Tobacco or big Pharma are evil.

I would, however, never work for an organisation that was committed to pro-life i.e. anti-abortion in any variant of it.

ChelleDawg2020 · 27/10/2017 15:13

It depends what it is. Presumably it's not illegal, but perhaps "immoral" in the view of many. If you are concerned about the reputation then it is right to think twice - having a "bad" company on your CV may affect your career down the line, because future prospective employers may judge you by the actions a previous company took.

If it's gambling or a payday loan company I wouldn't worry. If it's an admin job at the BNP then perhaps I would.

MrsBirdseye · 27/10/2017 15:15

presuming you mean ethics rather than a culture of bullying/mistreating employees

ethics. its a pretty global company. don't want to say which one for privacy reasons, but picked up their leaflet at jobcentre.

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TSSDNCOP · 27/10/2017 15:17

No. I ignored many, many red flags to work at a clothing company that had terrible things said about it on Glass Door. I used to sit in the boss's office genuinely hoping he'd have massive life-ending moment. I lasted 6 weeks. It still makes me feel giddy relief that I told him to fuck off.

MrsBirdseye · 27/10/2017 15:18

having a "bad" company on your CV may affect your career down the line, because future prospective employers may judge you by the actions a previous company took
yeah, that's my concern. because its a name that people most likely would have an opinion already.

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VladmirsPoutine · 27/10/2017 15:18

Well what sort of ethics are we talking? My closest friend is a vegan and wouldn't countenance working for a meat production/factory outlet. I am not vegan and happily would consider it.

Is it due to your personal ethics? If so then refuse.

BossyBitch · 27/10/2017 15:20

What PP have said. My own job splits the general public right down the middle. I either get to hear 'oooh, impressive, you must be a genius!' or 'devil, I banish thee in Jesus' name!' when I tell people what I do for a living.

I'm in consulting (albeit not the 'walk into the lobby and have half the workforce made redundant 2 minutes later' type) and I don't have personal ethics issues with my job. I have, however, got BAE Systems - among a short list of others - on my list of 'clients a transfer to whom would prompt my resignation'.

jay55 · 27/10/2017 15:26

I’m in finance but I wouldnt work for debt collectors or payday loans.
I do know the places I work are less than moral at times especially with the investments they make.

Everyone has their own line.

Vitalogy · 27/10/2017 15:33

job would be somewhere on entry level, not really involved in doing anything nasty Yes, but you'll be an accomplice to it, they wouldn't be able to do what they do if they didn't have the minions at the bottom helping.

BarbaraofSevillle · 27/10/2017 15:34

having a "bad" company on your CV may affect your career down the line, because future prospective employers may judge you by the actions a previous company took

Depends on who they are. Many multinationals behave in a nasty manner and/or make products that are bad for people's health and we would generally be much better off if they didn't exist at all, but wouldn't be harmful on anyone's CV.

In fact would probably look good, as long as you left them in a good way, not sacked, eg fizzy drinks manuafacturers.

OnionKnight · 27/10/2017 15:39

ATOS?

I'd rather eat rusty nails.

BossyBitch · 27/10/2017 15:41

OnionKnight, haha, so would I - and I used to work for their competition, so not opposed to the industry in general.

Butterymuffin · 27/10/2017 15:43

I wouldn't. It's important for your mental health not to feel bad about who you work for. There are other possible employers out there, surely?

MrsBirdseye · 27/10/2017 15:47

thank you all. I think i just might send an application, no guarantee that they'd accept it anyway.
What they do is nothing inherently evil (nothing like animal testing or making bombs) but how they behave has caused quite a few scandals.

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Needadvicetoleave · 27/10/2017 15:48

DH recently turned down a job offering a 20k pay rise because the client he'd be expected to work with was ethically poor. He didn't want to be ashamed about who he worked for. I respect him for that, and luckily we don't need the money (though it would have been nice!).

EssentialHummus · 27/10/2017 15:49

What others said. As a lawyer I refused a secondment to British American Tobacco. A colleague jumped at that, but turned down L'Oreal. It's hugely personal.

SavageBeauty73 · 27/10/2017 15:54

My friend turned down loads of money to work for a payday loan company but has freelanced at Weinstein's. I guess it's all personal. However if I was unemployed and desperate to get back in the workforce, I think my morals would go on a back burner.

Gottagetmoving · 27/10/2017 15:59

If they did something that I found offensive then no, I wouldn't work for them
I worked for a family business that had no morals or scruples and they hurt a lot of people and I feel like shit that I worked for them. I'm glad I left.

Vitalogy · 27/10/2017 16:02

I think i just might send an application Sounds like you'll fit right in.

LloydColeandtheCoconuts · 27/10/2017 16:03

Why is l’Oreal bad? Sorry for ignorance.

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iamaLeafontheWind · 27/10/2017 16:10

Depends on the company. I work for Sports Direct & we get lots of bad press. Vast majority of it utterly wrong. Does get depressing though.

Allthebestnamesareused · 27/10/2017 16:13

Is it someone like Starbucks or Amazon that doesn't pay a proper rate of tax by using loopholes?

TheCatsMother99 · 27/10/2017 16:16

I don't think I could.

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