Survey Sez!
We won’t pretend we expected so many different replies! While it was clear
some respondents were thinking it out as they wrote, some didn’t want to be
bothered with thinking about it, and others didn’t care. The underlying
subtext of many seemed to be that work, not scripture, set the standards for
what stealing is or isn’t. Plus, a reader took us to task for our question
again.
Wherever you stand, don’t be shy! Respond to these answers in our Feedback
section today!
The 2nd Very Big Question: Where is the ethical line when it comes to
stealing from work? Is it allowing friends/relatives to call you on the
toll-free work number? "borrowing" pens? using the copier or printer
for personal material? or just standing around talking with others? Where do you
draw the line?
Answer: "I'm always amazed how many good Apostolics think their
work's 800 number is free for them to receive personal calls on! As if
"free for customers" is justification since they're an employee. Plus,
using the copier and printer for church/personal use IS stealing unless there's
some understanding (perhaps tacit) with management."
Answer: "Depends on how much you get paid for what you do."
Answer: "Many companies allow personal calls, and "free
time" on the job, because it makes a happier work environment, and
generally, people are more committed to their jobs. For me, taking materials
home for my personal use would be considered unethical, because I am allowed to
use the copier, etc., for personal use if necessary."
Answer: "If you are doing something and wouldn't want your manager
to find out about it, in fear they may frown upon your actions, then you are
probably stepping out of line and should act with more responsibility."
Answer: "The "ethical line" when it comes to stealing
falls pretty strongly and clearly: "Thou shalt not steal." I borrow a
quote from T. F. Tenney, "Some folks will steal your stuff; others will
steal your time."
Answer: "Personally, it's a matter of WWJD? Would Christ have Mary
his mother call him on the toll-free number? I don't think so! Would he borrow
pens and other supplies? Nada, unless he had gained express permission. I have
always been very cognizant of my time "on the clock" vs off. It's the
little choices to be Christ-like that scream the silent witness to thos around
us!"
Answer: "I don't draw the line. I put in enough time at work to
get a little back from the company. They owe me!"
Answer: "You gotta believe that this is a case-by-case
determination, depending upon such factors as: what type job we are talking
about; what position the employee is in; what "personal use" you are
dealing with; and the posture of the business itself towards those things. It
could be that something like personal copies would be wrong in one instance and
not in the other depending on those factors; especially the last (the business'
posture toward those issues). There is probably also some "personal
conviction" area in this issue as well; it may well be that the Lord may
convict one believer to refrain from such personal use when another may not be
so constrained in what (to outside appearances) may be similar circumstances.
Certainly though, at some point there is a bright line, objective test where the
act is just plain wrong. One good test may be: what would my
boss/partner/supervisor/owner of the business say if they knew about this
conduct?"
Answer: "What a dumb question. I mean really I don't take pens nor
anything else, but if I were to take a pen I think that it would be fine or to
use the copier for whatever. I feel that if you work there, they trust you
enough to use your own judgement. I mean there are the extreme cases, in which
if that's what you are asking then that's dumb too cuz that doesn't apply to
most people. Anyway, enough of that. The answer if you find that you have 10 ink
pens at your house, car, whatever or you use the copier to copy a 300 page book
then you are stealing from work, but then again if the company can't afford the
pens nor the copy paper or whatever else then maybe you shouldn’t work
there."
Answer: "It depends entirely on company policy. My company
specifically prohibits use of the toll-free line, but doesn't prohibit
reasonable use of email. I make one or two copies on their machine, but would
not make hundreds without permission. I can stand and talk all I want as I'm
salaried and not hourly. I'm writing this response from my computer at
work."
Answer: "I think it depends on the situation. If it's in the
handbook, you should abide by those rules. Some company's are more lenient than
others."
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