Mar
12
As I touched on in yesterday’s rant, little frustrates me more than a client asking me to do something unethical.
Some of you out there may be thinking this is a bit of a hypocritical statement coming for someone who works for lawyers. Part of why I wanted out of Corporate America, I realized after I broke out, was because I was working for the wrong side of the law. When I began taking on freelance writing work for lawyers, I made a conscious choice to only work for the good guys. It took me a while to learn that even some of the good guys aren’t so good. Enter the ethics issue.
Whether it’s a client asking me to swipe copyrighted images to use in blog posts or to employ questionable SEO tactics, I’ve never had a problem telling a client “I’m not comfortable doing that. Here’s why.” Generally, the client then realizes it’s wrong or at least sees my side of it enough to respect that I’m not doing it. And that’s cool by me. On the rare occasion someone acts like a ratbastard about it, I don’t have a problem dropping that client.
Even when I had very little work coming in or income to speak of, I’d have dropped any client who insisted I do something unethical. I’d rather get a gig cleaning up someone’s dog poop than have to live with the guilt.
But sometimes there are gray areas. Yesterday’s issue was one of those. After my client’s initial nonchalant reaction, then his lack of any reaction on my second turn-down to do what he wanted, I started thinking maybe I was just crazy.
I decided to get a few unbiased opinions. I asked two freelancers and one consultant I know well enough to know they’re trustworthy — but not well enough to feel they’d loyally stand beside me no matter what — if they thought it was wrong and what they’d do about it.
All three agreed what I’d been asked to do was wrong. But one said he’d do it if the price was right (and he wasn’t joking).
Now, this is a guy whose standard billing rate is in the $150-$200/hr range. This is a guy who just bought his third summer home. This isn’t a single dad desperate to put dinner on the table. Not that that should matter, but I digress.
For several hours last night, this bugged me. The thoughts kept spinning, and I kept wondering: is this what we’ve come to?
Isn’t it bad enough that every third person I “meet” on the internet is selling an ebook on how to make money online, how to run a home-based business, how to boost that internet marketing career, when the majority of these people have yet to achieve any of this?
Isn’t it bad enough that at least half of the emails I receive every day are from people who want to work at home and think writing will be an easy way to do it? So much so that the internet is polluted with crap, and we’ve got stellar web writers preaching to newbies that it’s okay to suck just because everyone else does?
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I got into this whole freelance lifestyle because I wanted a better life. I was so fed up with my day job that I couldn’t take it anymore. When I ran out of money and had to work again, I told myself I’d rather be homeless (and I was for a brief time) than go back to being a slave to some asshole who cares more about the million dollar couch in his office than he cares about his employees.
I realize there are a lot of freelancers out there who don’t feel like they have choices. I get at least a dozen new emails each week from women who are desperate to learn to make it as a freelance writer because they’re suffering from illness and can’t work, or they’re raising kids on their own. These emails often begin with some variation of the line, “Please help me learn how to do this, because I’ve tried a lot of other work at home stuff and nothing has worked.”
And I get that. My mother raised me on her own, and she worked her ass off at shitty jobs that barely paid the rent. I was a latch-key kid and ate mac & cheese for dinner almost every night until I was old enough to babysit to help contribute to the household income. So I get it.
Would I justify someone in this situation doing something unethical if faced with an offer of money they felt they couldn’t otherwise get? No, I wouldn’t. But at least I’d understand where they’re coming from a little better.
But the thought that we’re putting ourselves out there to be bought? It’s just so wrong.
I dropped my highest paying client yesterday, because I don’t like to sleep with demons. If a client asked you to do something unethical, what would you do?
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10 Responses to “Do You Check Your Ethics at the Door?”
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About Amy Derby
Formerly a corporate paralegal, I ditched the pantyhose to begin freelancing in 2004. I enjoy long walks to the coffee maker, never setting an alarm clock, and not wearing a bra to the (home) office. I can be reached at amy.derby (at) gmail.com.
Good for you for dropping him. You deserve better. You need fewer clients anyway. You work like 20 hours a day.
I wouldn’t go against my morals either, but you already know that. You also know I did start out writing at less than ten dollars per article to be able to stay at home with the baby and keep food on the table, but thanks to a lot of your help I moved up to bigger things, because they’re out there. Even then no matter how much money someone offered me, I would not do anything I found to be unethical. If I want unethical, I could sign up to be one of those telemarketers that keeps blocking their number and calling me at 10:00 p.m. from various lines. Life is too short to have ethics hanging over my head.
You’re probably the most ethical gal I know, but I appreciate the comment.
Actually, I’ve been down to about five actual work hours a day lately. Partially because with the mono all I want to do is go rest, and partially because I’m getting a lot faster at this thing I call work. Oh, and I just filled the vacancy.
Hope the little chick is feeling better today.
Amy -
I’m so glad there are people like you out there who aren’t willing to sell their souls for a few bucks! Seriously, thanks for being such a good example and living your beliefs and ethics.
As a freelance writer myself who is just getting started, it can be hard to stay ethical. But I’ve turned down writing jobs because I wasn’t comfortable writing positive things about certain subjects. It just isn’t worth it.
Thanks again for an excellent post.
Holli Jo, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. And thanks for the comment. Apparently we’re a rare breed.
Actually, I like to think that most of the freelance writers I know are pretty ethical.
What you said reminded me of a job I was offered when I first started freelancing. Someone wanted an article about herbal remedy to induce a miscarriage (this was for some sort of holistic website), and I turned it down. Although I wouldn’t think badly of someone who did it, I couldn’t have stomached writing about it.
I also did a grant application for a non-profit (this wasn’t paid work, I just did it to be nice) that was for an abused women’s shelter run by people of a very strange religion. Preventing abuse is a cause I support fully, because it’s a background that hits close to home. But I would never write on it again. I kept having to stop throughout the research because I’d get choked up. And the religious aspect of it skeeved me out. I’m glad I got through it and did it, because this group does help a lot of people, but I vowed then and there no more abuse topics (too personal) and no more religious organizations (ethics).
Wow, I ramble when I’m tired!!
Have a good night. Hope you’ll visit again.
Hi Amy, thanks for the great post. I’m in a bit of a predicament. I’m still a student, but I’ve been lucky enough enough to get my first copywriting gig. However, the client wants me to fabricate the testimonials(it’s website copy).
Is this unethical? Can you see the difficult decision that needs to be made? It’s a great opportunity to get something on my portfolio, with the promise of more work from them if they like the first assignment.
What would you do?
Ross’s last blog post..Clear, concise writing
Ross, I would never make up testimonials. I’m sure you could find other gigs to build your potfolio with.
As a beginner, this has given me some much-needed perspective on ethics - thanks!
Ross’s last blog post..Clear, concise writing
Ross - I just had a look at your blog, and I think you’ll do just fine!! I wouldn’t have guessed you were just starting out.
Thanks again - glad you like the blog!
Great Post, Amy. No, I don’t do unethical. I don’t give in to the demons, and I’m trying my hardest to write stuff that matters to someone. I suppose you just have to go with your gut.
Oh, the ebook thing! Isn’t that a scream! So many people jump on the marketing bandwagon. I don’t get it. Since when is the world full of marketers? I swear 100,000 must be born each day.
Ellen Wilson’s last blog post..Writing the Wild Within: Part 2 - Predator and Prey