Asked to do something illegal at work? Here's what these software engineers did

Overview The article examines three real cases where software engineers were asked to engage in activities that appeared illegal or fraudulent. It details the context of each request, the engineers' decisions, the legal outcomes, and lessons for professionals facing similar ethical dilemmas.

Key Takeaways

• Always question requests that seem to violate law or ethics, even if coming from senior leadership.
• Document concerns and seek advice from legal or compliance teams.
• Refusing unethical work can protect personal reputation and avoid legal jeopardy.
• Organizations should foster a culture where employees feel safe to raise ethical concerns.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers and team leads responsible for guiding engineers.
• Individual contributors facing ambiguous or risky directives.
• HR and legal professionals supporting technical staff.
• Technical leaders interested in building ethical cultures.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• Ethical decision-making frameworks for engineers.
• Risk assessment and escalation processes.
• Company-wide ethics and compliance programs.