It seems to me that Paul would have been better served to remain at his job and take his complaint further up the chain of command. Maybe the executives of the company were oblivious to his supervisor’s manipulations. Paul had to know someone else would issue the press release. Isn’t he ethically bound to try and stop it, not just walk away from it? If he was willing to quit anyway, what did he have to lose? Even if upper management backed his boss, Paul would have done everything in his power to prevent it. And he could have put his views on the record if his unemployment claim was challenged. Further, he should have reported the discrepancies to the same people receiving the press release. Paul should be lauded for taking a stance, but next time he should go all the way. Recognizing him for a job half-done is much like congratulating a batter who hits a home run but forgets to step on second base. Close, but no cigar.

I agree with the comment from Mr T. Since he was willing to walk away from his job, there was no reason for him to fear what would happen to him if he reported his boss to senior management.

Obviously, if he felt there was no point to what he was doing and did not want to risk his job, he should have asked his boss to pick someone else to do the press release.

Yes, honor is important, but if the loss of his job had resulted in his family becoming homeless and his children ending up being taken away and put in foster care, thus ruining their future, what good would that have done anyone?

While men sometimes do dishonorable things and then make the excuse that they did it for their family (robbing a bank, embezzling from their employer, etc.), throwing yourself under the bus for the sake of honor may not be appropriate if there are others who will be dragged along with you.

We are over-critical of people trying to do good. That is the fundamental problem we face in our society. The good people cannot unite or come together to force a change. We should applaud his efforts and follow suit.

Thank you for that nugget of information. This is certainly a character-building step. I will share this thought with my children and youth at church.

I don't think Paul threw himself under the bus at all. I know I wouldn't want to work for anyone who would ask me to set aside my ethical beliefs for the sake of a job. I would like to believe Paul's family benefited from his decision way more than money is concerned. These are wonderful lessons to learn from those you love. And I wouldn't consider them scars at all. I would consider them badges of courage, strength and integrity.

If Paul had "taken it further up the chain of command" like Mr. T suggested, he may have dragged other unknowing or unwilling co-workers along with him on that path as well. And I don't believe that would have created any better work environment for him or the others. I believe Paul had less weight on his shoulders quitting for ethical reasons than if he had stayed and complained, however long that took, and without any assurance of a positive outcome.

Sometimes we have to make tough decisions in life, but we can't be afraid to make those tough decisions. Power to the good!

Being good and doing good things do not always bring instant results. Patience is part of being good, a big part. Sometimes there are not any apparent rewards.

Taking your cart back. Two points:

How many times have you had to bag your own grocerIes because the boxboy(s) and girls were out collecting baskets others left all over the lot. Take it back! It's just the right thing to do.

Even if you don't want to do it for THAT, the right reason, do it because you need the exercise. Which of us couldn't stand another 25 paces in our weekly routine?

Many years ago I, too, gave up what I thought was a great job -- the most money I'd ever earned as a young adult -- when my boss put me in a position to cover for her illegal activities (importing the shells of endangered tortoise species to use in the creation of trendy home decor accessories!). My husband and I could barely pay the rent and put food on the table at that time, but sacrificing our integrity was more repugnant than sacrificing our pride in asking for financial help from our families and friends when we needed it. We survived, and later learned that "no" can be the most powerful word in our vocabularies. Saying no to a violation of our integrity and refusing to do what others might be willing to in the same circumstances rewards us mightily when we later find success in spite of having refused to do the unethical. Furthermore, it forces those who would have taken the easier, unethical route to realize that they didn't have to choose it for themselves, either. In some instances, this realization has the effect of helping others realign their actions with their stated values. Sometimes not. All we can do is live in a way that is consistent with our values and expect others -- and insist that they -- treat us accordingly. And be prepared to walk out with our integrity intact at any moment.