Your boss asks you to change a number, leave something out of a report or present information in a way that makes you uncomfortable. You may know immediately that the request crosses a line, or you just feel that something is off. Facing an ethical dilemma at work can be especially difficult when the person making the request also has influence over your career.
That situation is more common than many employees realize. In Outten & Golden’s 2026 Trust@Work survey, 21% of respondents said they had felt pressure to compromise their ethical standards, while one-third feared negative consequences for speaking up. “When one-third of American workers fear reporting misconduct, that’s not just a red flag—it’s a systemic failure,” said Tammy Marzigliano, partner and co-chair of Outten & Golden’s Whistleblower & Retaliation Practice.
If your boss puts you in an ethical dilemma at work, reacting too quickly can create its own problems. Start by understanding exactly what you’re being asked to do, then decide how to respond in a way that protects your career.
Continue Reading: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2026/10/01/what-to-do-when-you-face-an-ethical-dilemma-at-work/