Dilemma at the workplace: Reasons and Remedies

The workplace is as good as the people who work there, day in and day out. As an organization grows, so does the number of its employees, introducing diversity in thinking pattern. What one considers right, might be wrong for the next person. Because of this difference in thinking and hence, a difference in the actions, sometimes a peculiar situation arises -- a dilemma, of sorts. 

Let us understand this by an example. Naman Mishra, senior engineer at an automobile company X, was offered Principle Engineer’s position in one of the biggest competitors of his company, Y. He shares this news with his best friend in the team, Ajay Gelaur. Ajay was happy yet quite surprised on hearing the news. After a lengthy discussion, Naman told Ajay that he promised to leak crucial information about X’s new breakthrough engine, in exchange of which Y made him that offer. Ajay, being a loyal employee, cannot let Naman get away with this. But if Ajay speaks up, it would end their friendship. So in this ‘rock-and-a-hard-place’ kind of situation, what should Ajay do?  

Some people would think that Ajay should be loyal to his friend and keep shut. This does not affect him directly so why bother? Well, they’re quite wrong. If Ajay keeps it to himself, he’s putting in danger the future of his organization, colleagues, and own-self. If Naman spilled the beans about company X, this could potentially close the company down. So, in this “catch-22 condition”, Ajay must muster courage and report Naman for disciplinary action.

Of course, it is tough to do but isn’t it always when you’re trying to do the right thing? But like every coin, the cause of these predicaments also has two sides. The employers, also, must appreciate publicly if an employee speaks up about something ill that is going on in the office. They must celebrate transparency in their system and not look down upon a subordinate who tries to bring about a good change to it. Their decisions and opinions about an employee must be based on facts and not rumors. And when an organization ticks all those boxes, its employees would be able to avoid any such kind of situation and feel satisfied at their workplace.