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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To go for a job that is against my principles

100 replies

thinkingmakesitso · 08/01/2016 12:36

I have seen a job advertised that in many ways would be my perfect role, as well as being a big pay rise.

However, I have political objections to the company and, in fact, the company (or others of its kind) have been the subject of my rantings many a time.

But...it is my perfect role, and that is a role that doesn't really exist in the way I want it to anymore, so this could be my only chance for such an opportunity.

Tbh, I don't think I would get it anyway as I don't meet all aspect of the spec, but WIBU to even go for it? Anyone done similar?

OP posts:

StealthPolarBear · 08/01/2016 12:38

It depends how strongly you feel I suppose. Is it nestle?
I am proud of where I work and that's s big deal to me

PaulDirac · 08/01/2016 12:39

It really depends on what the company is and what your objections are I think.

PageStillNotFound404 · 08/01/2016 12:43

It depends how much cognitive dissonance you feel you can cope with, and whether getting a foot in this unpleasant door would give you the opportunity to move on very quickly to an employer that is a better fit for your principles.

Personally I don't think I could, and in fact I left a hitherto perfectly enjoyable job shortly after being asked to do something by my manager in the line of business that I felt very uncomfortable about and couldn't square with my conscience. I couldn't afford to just walk out on the day, but I immediately started looking for, and subsequently accepted, another job in earnest when I'd been quite happy there up to that point.

bookishandblondish · 08/01/2016 12:44

Short answer - no.

If you have strong enough political objections that you've ranted about them many times - are you really going to be able to 'drink the coolaid'

Although am very curious what the political objections are?

OllyBJolly · 08/01/2016 12:44

Depends.....

Would the role allow you to influence the business in any way? Is the department a "Force for good" inside a large corporate? Would the job role itself give you skills and experience that could benefit a more "palatable" company in a few years?

I have the absolute luxury of working in a field I'm totally in agreement with and passionate about.

I'd find it very hard to work in a "conventional" type company now. If I had to because I was up struggling i.e. family needed the cash - then I would. I'd like to think there are some companies I could never work for e.g. tobacco, animal testers, etc. However, I know that when I was a desperate single parent with young children and no income I would have done anything to pay the bills and keep food on the table.

Mistigri · 08/01/2016 12:45

I don't think I would, personally, unless I had no choice (eg if unemployed).

Quite apart from the moral aspect, what will your friends/ family think? I'd take a pretty dim view of a friend who slagged off a company then went to work for them.

Mistigri · 08/01/2016 12:46

Also, if you've criticised them publicly on social media using your real name, you're skating on thin ice.

VintageDresses · 08/01/2016 12:46

I once ranted about a "reward" trip that involved unnecessary air travel for 400 people and was provided by a company which advertised it's green credentials. Strangely I managed to overcome my objections the following year when I was offered a place on the trip and had a smashing time.

However, to make you life's work from something you've always objected to and which presumably people who know you know you object to, it would put you in a fairly uncomfortable position on a daily basis.

I think it does come down to what the objection is and just how uncomfortable it would make you.

LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 08/01/2016 12:46

It would help if you could give a general idea of what general type of company it is.

Fwiw, my dad worked in a very controversial industry for his whole career. My view was: (i) for better or worse people have a right to buy the product; (ii) the product itself can be used for good or bad; (iii) the industry itself is only going to be improved by having a decent, honourable person like my dad who recognises and thinks deeply about the moral implications of his job.

MoMoTy · 08/01/2016 12:49

If it's genuinely against your principles then you shouldn't. You can't pick and choose the bits you want to be against and then make allowances that suit you.

ABetaDad1 · 08/01/2016 12:51

thinking - every time you put petrol in your car you are supporting some very questionable regimes around the world.

How does that play with your ethical standards or do you just fill up because you have no choice?

Unless you are going to be asked to do something illegal I would just take the job.

StillDrSethHazlittMD · 08/01/2016 12:51

Depends whether you want to be seen as a hypocrite or not

specialsubject · 08/01/2016 12:52

ethics - a county east of London.

one or the other; do it and recognise that your principles aren't that strong, or don't. Your call.

but if you take it be prepared for a lot of deserved piss-taking if you've 'ranted' so much, and of course if those rantings are on the internet they will spot them.

LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 08/01/2016 13:02

Depends on the context of your rants and your objections. If you are against what the company fundamentally does (e.g. a pacifist working in the defence industry) I don't think that will work. But if you just object to specific things the company has done or that certain people at the company has done (e.g. certain people at a bank), I think that's ok.

PaulDirac · 08/01/2016 13:05

ABetaDad1 you don't know that op drives or what the objections are.

ElinorRochdale · 08/01/2016 13:14

Would you be able to give 100% commitment to the job if you don't support the ethos of the company? What if you were, for example, representing the company at an event? Would you be able to set aside your own opinions to put across the company's viewpoint?

whois · 08/01/2016 13:16

Well.... If you've been 'ranting' to your friends about this unethical company, they might have great fun calling you a massive hypocrite :-)

Mysillydog · 08/01/2016 13:17

Depends. My cousin's dd got offered a dream marketing type job for a cigarette company. She had suffered from really bad asthma as a child resulting in multiple admissions and smoking had killed her Granny who she was very close to. She didn't take the job, although she was in the fortunate position of having another job to go to.

hefzi · 08/01/2016 14:52

If you wish to keep your integrity, then no. I have been head-hunted at various times for an organisation that I have major issues with, in terms of its functioning. The jobs have been at pay rates 2-5 times my current annual salary. I don't own my own home and have some debt.

HOWEVER - I can look myself in the mirror every morning and be content that I am not contributing to the problem: but integrity is very, very important to me.

As they say, though - everyone has their price: that you're even thinking about this must mean it's close to yours.

MrsLeighHalfpenny · 08/01/2016 14:55

I once worked for a company who had the MOD as one of it's customers.

We recruited a salesman. He lasted a morning because he hadn't realised he'd be selling to the MOD and he was a pacifist. He just walked out.

Branleuse · 08/01/2016 14:56

depends how bad you need the money. Weve all got our price

MineIsAGinAndTonic · 08/01/2016 15:10

I wouldn't. I was approached through headhunters for a job when I was younger with a trade body which basically was a front for Nestlé defending its infant nutrition behaviour. They were very upfront and said who they were 'before we take it any further'. And they were polite when I said no immediately.
I do understand that when times are desperate you earn money when you can but when you have a choice? No.
I could never work for a tobacco company.
A lot of people jump through hoops in their head to justify working for dodgy companies behaving in dodgy ways but lying to yourself is not going to make you happy.
And yes, I am a lot worse off than I could be were I prepared to trade my morals for cash.

Atenco · 08/01/2016 15:14

Weve all got our price

There are exceptions Branleuse.

I'm not necessarily one of them. If I was really desperate I might take the job as a stopgap.

AppleSetsSail · 08/01/2016 15:15

I did some consulting work for British American Tobacco in the 2000's. I must confess it really didn't give me pause.

AppleSetsSail · 08/01/2016 15:16

I would probably have to draw the line at a weapons manufacturing firm.

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