SP Jain Essay # 3

Describe an instance in which you took the strongest stand of your value system. What specific values were violated and what was at stake for you? (200 words max.)

While working for my current employer I was once asked to participate in a project that I found ethically inappropriate.

My company was concerned about a new product launched by a competitor. To address this, I, along with a few others, was asked to go on a "spy mission" to the office of a friendly customer who had purchased the product. We were supposed to disassemble the product, copy its contents, and later to decode and reverse engineer with the express aim of filing patent infringement lawsuits to block it in the market.

Although my team members had no qualms, I did not feel comfortable with the ethics of this exercise. I believed it was an illegitimate attempt to put a legitimate competitor out of business. I was unwilling to participate in it and said so to my supervisor. He was surprised and hinted that not performing what was expected could be grounds for termination. I was also asked to explain my position to the VP and GM. However, after a few days of discussions, my supervisor informed me that my views would be respected and that I would not be required to participate in the mission.