Workplace question

[divinefaith]

I dont want to get too detailed about this but my question is in regards to a workplace ethic:

part of my job involves I take statistics of the visits we have. The point of the statistics is that we make a report at the end of a set period based on our findings so that we can ask for funding from an outside source. Now I know, I could have been a little bit negligent in making sure the statistics are 100% accurate. I wonder how ethical this might be on my part, considering my managers are aware that our findings are not as accurate as they should be. We are now working to fix up our data collection but in the meantime I’m not sure if its a form of dishonesty if I should go ahead and admit my findings to the management.

 

[FightingFat]

I dont want to get too detailed about this but my question is in regards to a workplace ethic:

part of my job involves I take statistics of the visits we have. The point of the statistics is that we make a report at the end of a set period based on our findings so that we can ask for funding from an outside source. Now I know, I could have been a little bit negligent in making sure the statistics are 100% accurate. I wonder how ethical this might be on my part, considering my managers are aware that our findings are not as accurate as they should be. We are now working to fix up our data collection but in the meantime I’m not sure if its a form of dishonesty if I should go ahead and admit my findings to the management.

The simple answer to your question, as with all questions of morality, is to ask yourself “what is my intention?” If your intention is to deceive, or deliberately mislead, it is damaging (ethically) and wrong (morally).

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P5R.HTM

 

[puzzleannie]

I We are now working to fix up our data collection but in the meantime I’m not sure if its a form of dishonesty if I should go ahead and admit my findings to the management.

you submit them with a note as to your estimate of your accuracy, why the numbers may not be right, and what you and your department are doing to remedy the problem.

 

[divinefaith]

you submit them with a note as to your estimate of your accuracy, why the numbers may not be right, and what you and your department are doing to remedy the problem.

Its not simple. I’ve let our managers know that my co-workers and myself have not accurately taken record of the statistics. The manager still wants to go ahead and hand over our findings to the outside source without letting them know we have errors. I am tossing between letting it go or re-doing the statistics all alone coz I know my co-workers will not be helping me. Our intention isnt to commit fraud but I’m sure the outside source expects accurate information before funding our business.

 

[Hokomai]

Write a statement saying how you intent to improve your reporting. For example: “To assess the accuracy of our reporting on [whatever], staff directly involved discussed the method of collecting and recording the statistics. They identified a number of improvements that could be made including [whatever, whatever and whatever]. These changes are being implemented now, and will provide an excellent level of assurance for 2011/12 [or whenever]”. It’s true, it’s honest, and it eaves further questioning int their court. if you recommend this to your boss, you have proposed a way to meet the needs of both funder and recipient. Then it is up to your manager. You can always preface your report to the funder with ‘[name of manager] has asked that provide you with these figures’, and put the manager down as first point of contact for further information. Do get the manager to approve before sending though. Good luck.