Resignation on ethical grounds

accountingbod

Hi all

This kind of follows on from a previous thread that i started recently.
Basically, this question revolves around both resignation and refusal to work on something i believe is not correct.

If i refuse to continue to work on something that i do not think is being done properly, and it is found that on investigation i am correct in my assumptions, can i face disciplinary procedures for my refusal to work?

Also, if i am to resign based on my own integrity and ethical position how does this look when looking for other work? I am an accountant so integrity and ethics are very important to me as an individual and they are what makes the difference between a successful career and one that nose-dives very quickly in my opinion.

I can not afford to be out of work but i also can not afford for my health to be stressed about a situation at work.

I can't go in to too much detail but i am stressed and have spoken to my boss with no action being taken about my concerns.

ACCA have suggested that i write to my boss to explain that if she does not take this further then i will have to. It's what i do in the meantime however as i do not want to continue working as i am until this is resolved.

Thanks

MissSarah1972

I left a job once after I mentioned what they were doing in the accounts was not correct and even though they (the MD and FC) kept saying 'no pay it' or 'just put it through' I thought if I have nothing in writing I could be blamed for this if we were ever investigated by the IR and I wasn't prepared to stay there. I however just got another job and left.

accountingbod

that's what i'm thinking missSarah as i dont think anything will change and i personally can't live with knowing that the work i do is mis-represented.

MissSarah1972

accountingbod wrote: »

that's what i'm thinking missSarah as i dont think anything will change and i personally can't live with knowing that the work i do is mis-represented.

I would voice my concerns but what can you do? You can not refuse to do it whatever it may be. You have to just get out of there. Easier that it may sound but a hell of a lot easier to get a job whilst you already have one. Obviously do not list this as a reason for wanting to leave, just say it's time to move on to the next challenge etc

How long have you been there?

accountingbod

i've been here for 5 years and qualified through ACCA this summer.

PlutoinCapricorn

I would try to get another job. It all sounds very alarming, and you are best out of it.

MissSarah1972

accountingbod wrote: »

i've been here for 5 years and qualified through ACCA this summer.

Well now you are fully qualified you can say if you are looking to get out that's why - you want a new challenge but in the mean time it's difficult. Some people will not listen so you may be banging your head against a wall there at work.

Like I say best to start looking for a new role and see what happens. If it's making you feel ill I understand with the worrying what could happen.

PlutoinCapricorn

Five years and a recent qualification sound like very legitimate pretexts for looking elsewhere for a new challenge to me.

Acc72

I have just read your previous thread - I just wanted to ensure that what you are referring to does not breach any H&S law or put people in danger etc.

It looks as though you are producing some financial figures and passing your work to your manager.

You then believe that your manager artificially improves the financial figures ?

A few questions :

- How do you know this ?
- Are you party to the revised reports ? (if not, how did you find out ?)
- Your manager may be making legitimate adjustments that you are not aware of ?
- Do you work for a privately owned company or a Plc ?
- I presume that you company is above the audit threshold ?

My opinion is that if you can show that you have done your work correctly (and ideally passed this to your manager by e-mail) then whatever happens after that is not really your concern.

Just make sure that you have a full audit trail of what you have done, and what you have said to your manager.

If you are not happy with the culture of your current company then just look for another job - reason that you are looking for a new challenge (never say anything negative about a previous employer at an interview).

Don't bother with the ACCA or even resigning etc. as this will cause you more hassle than it's worth and won't pay your bills.

Daedalus

What about whistleblowing to the relevant authority, this should cover yourself from any legal backlash.

I agree 5 years and just finishing qualifications is a fine time to leave without raising questions, just say that you feel that you need to be pushed more.

Mistral001

Perhaps you need to go right back to the FIRST time that you saw something that looked a bit wrong. Did you ask all the questions that you needed to at the time? It is quite possible that you didn't because often newly-qualified people (and some very long qualified people) do not want to appear as if they do not understand something and do not ask questions for fear of someone putting them down. I have been there let's say.

Check the basics I would say. No need to accuse anybody or have a grand interogation of the suspected wrong-doer. If someone is doing something wrong then it needs to be brought to the attention of the their superior. If superior is not going to take the matter seriously or there is no superior as they are a partner then look for another job.