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Part II: What to Do When Your Boss is Wrong

Featured Author:

Renee Weisman

Renee Weisman, owner of Winning at Work, charted new territory as one of the first woman engineers, managers, executives and working mothers in the male-dominated semiconductor industry. Over her 40 years in education and industry, she learned to make gender differences work for her — and teaches others how to do the same. She is a frequent speaker at corporations and conferences around the US. She teaches classes tailored to enhance women in their careers and to enable male managers to better understand how to capitalize on the differences between men and women in business. She is the author of Winning in a Man’s World and 5 Ways to Get a Man to Listen. Add her to your Excelle network!

More articles from this author:

• 10 Tips to Always Get What You Want
• How Did She Land a Job So Fast?
• Whose Job Do You Want?

After my last article on What to Do When Your Boss Is Wrong appeared on Excelle, I received a number of notes from friends and coworkers. Most found the advice helpful. One went so far as to say “I’m sure I’ll be able to put this to use every day!” and informed me he was looking to change jobs (no surprise there).

But several asked me to take this a step further. What do you do when you CAN’T follow the boss’s advice because you absolutely, positively know it is wrong? It could have severe consequences for you, for your company, for your customers, or for someone else if you allow something wrong to take place.

A basic assumption in the article was that the issue did not involve your integrity, safety, or something that went totally against everything you believe in. If you find yourself in one of these categories, then you absolutely need to do what is right.

A nurse should never give wrong medication because the doctor ordered it; an engineer should never use substandard materials because the boss wants to save money; a government worker should never accept or offer bribes to get something done. If it is illegal, immoral or inappropriate, you need to do what is right — even at the risk of your job. In these situations, I would first get advice and help, perhaps even consult a lawyer.

But what if it is not a matter of safety, integrity or reputation? You still believe you are right and cannot come to an agreement with your boss? Do you have any options short of quitting (which is always an option though painful)?

There are a few. Again. I always did try the methods in my prior article first, but if you are absolutely sure you cannot sway his or her opinion, here are a few other things to try.