Quidco - would this be unethical ?

Edna_Bucket_2

PBA wrote:

While personally I don't think this plan is ethically wrong, the ethics here are totally irrelevant. Even though it doesn't cost the company any extra you are effectively defrauding them as you're negotiating an extra discount on company purchases which you aren't passing on. If you have a nice boss then it should be fine (but still probably best to put it towards the Xmas party rather than in your own pocket) but there are certainly bosses out there who would see this as gross misconduct.

Very well put.

I mentioned earlier on that MSE is not always the best place to discuss ethics, and unfortunately there are some other posters on this very thread who demonstrate that point very well, sadly.

vellum

attractive as it sounds, it may affect your career in a long run, imagine your boss or one of your colleagues found out. even if they won't do you for gross misconduct, you may create jealousy or wave bye bye for future promotion.

the best way is to let your boss know about the saving and suggest to use that money to sponsor an evening meal each month for the whole company. on the one hand, u demonstrate your professional integrity and gain trust from the boss; on the other hand, u become popular among all staffs and make your life easier in the company. plus, u and your colleagues all get a night out on the company each month, that is 12 times a year. and the boss can show to his employees how generous he is, without costing extra money.

win win to all parties and your conscience is all clear.

who knows, before u notice, a big pay rise and promotion is on its way to u.

good luck

[Deleted User]

I just let other people at work (and managers) know about it so they can do the same... I still fail to see the ethical/moral problem with profiting from cashback since it does not cost your firm anything

Anarchist

I personally put work purchases through quidco. But they're companies that I deal with anyway and spend money with anyway, so I'm not taking anything off my employer or doing any disservice to them.

Although they do know about it, and I did spend the £400 I got from the Dell Projector 50% cashback offer on a night out for everyone.

Seakay

Edna_Bucket wrote:

Very well put.

I mentioned earlier on that MSE is not always the best place to discuss ethics, and unfortunately there are some other posters on this very thread who demonstrate that point very well, sadly.

Actually there is a thread specifically for green and ethical issues, and ethical debate is entirely appropriate to MSE as the site was started specifically to take an ethical stance against rip off banks etc.
Also, the point of a discussion is that it incorporates differing views - just because you don't agree with someone doesn't mean that they are unethical, it just means that their ethics differ from yours.

Edna_Bucket_2

Seakay wrote:

Actually there is a thread specifically for green and ethical issues, and ethical debate is entirely appropriate to MSE as the site was started specifically to take an ethical stance against rip off banks etc.
Also, the point of a discussion is that it incorporates differing views - just because you don't agree with someone doesn't mean that they are unethical, it just means that their ethics differ from yours.

Don't disagree at all with any of your points Seakay. That wasn't the comment I was making in fact - I was referring to MSE posters, not the site itself in respect of ethics.

As I said, and sadly, there are a significant minority of quite vocal contributors at MSE who are thoroughly dishonest - hence my comment.

Unfortunately it seems that the site and Mods rarely do anything to discourage their antics - maybe that in itself reflects on site ethics? I don't know.

I am sorry if I didn't make myself more clear earlier.

Spendi

Well i would like to thank everyone for the input and hopefully you should all now have a thankyou on your posts from me

It probably goes without saying that i had my own reservations about cashback through quidco or i wouldnt have felt the need to post in the first place, and after taking everyones views on board, i have decided that opening a another quidco account for *business* purchases is the way to go, i can then let the company decide what they want to do with the cashback it accumulates !

*would be nice if i could have it though lol !!*

vellum

dear spendi,

well done.

a thought becomes an action, an action becomes a habit, a habit becomes a fate. just think how many people fell from grace by being greedy and lost more in the end.

you are absolutely right to listen to your conscience, there will be no bite back and your professional integrity can stand up to any scrutiny.

your future is bright. and you must share this story with your children (future children), it is such a good lesson.

well done and good luck.

very proud of you.

Elliebell

Spendi, top idea! Fingers crossed you will get the benifits!

sashacat

I think this is not only unethical but dishonest. If you are so sure that it's ok then why not point it out to your company and ask for their advice. If it is honest and morally ok then I am sure they will agree to you doing it. You obviously feel uncomfortable about it or you wouldn't have asked.