I am frequently contacted by agencies and businesses wanting me to write about or promote them, here on the blog.
Sometimes, they even offer payment!
If it fits with the needs and interests of my audience, I give it careful consideration.
However, I have a family friendly policy for this blog, so I choose not to work with the adult, alcohol, or gambling industries. Others do, and that’s fine; but on my blog, it’s my rules. I’m the one that has to sleep with my conscience each night!
Sure, I lose out on some potential income but for me, the sacrifice is worth it.
Would You Refuse This Job?
But this is small fry indeed compared to what one young man recently sacrificed for his beliefs – as I learned while chatting to one of his (very proud) parents at a party recently.
The young man has just finished uni studies in marketing, and did an internship with a large PR agency. They were so thrilled with his work, that they offered him a full time job – which sounded like a dream come true, until he heard who his first client would be.
Yup, you guessed it, one of the big betting sites.
He turned down a job that offered $100K a year or more … because it was against his ethics and principles.
I really admire his decision, and respect his integrity.
What Jobs Would You Refuse?
I’ve turned down a couple of jobs in my time.
When I was unemployed at age 20, I was offered a job at a bikini carwash.
I had left home, was out of work and desperate for money so I did seriously consider it, but knew I just couldn’t do it. (I wonder if these days, Centrelink would make you take it, or cut off your Newstart?!)
In time I did find another job, where I met the hubster … 🙂 .
I’ve faced this dilemma again, more recently.
Last year I was at a conference and had a great chat with a fellow, looking for a copywriter to provide a stream of new web content. He was keen to hire my services, and I was enthusiastic too – until I found out that the business was based on astrology.
This might not be a deal-breaker for some, but it was for me. You see, I know that I begin to believe the copy I am writing – which is fine when it comes to working for a psychologist, podiatrist, beauty therapist, construction company, plumber, law firm, car tinting group, or whatever. But not astrology.
So tell me … have you ever turned down a job for moral or ethical reasons? What jobs would you refuse?
Like you I have nothing to do with online gambling, but I don’t mind doing the odd wine review. The other job I knocked back a while ago was for personal lubricant. How do you write a post about that! Too much information!!! I don’t think I could ever be a cleaner as I have a hard enough time doing my own cleaning let alone anyone else’s.
LOL I’m with you on that one Kathy!
A few days into an I-need-money-job (aka SO not a career position) I walked out and never returned because I didn’t get good feelings (to put it mildly) about how they operated the place.
Always good to trust your gut instinct! They had a few days, that’s enough to judge.
Being able to sleep at night is so important! I haven’t yet been offered a sponsored post opportunity that I have felt the need to refuse but I always hasten slowly when approached – how does it fit with my personal ethics and our readers’ expectations. I too would not consider supporting gambling but like Kathy I am fine with the alcohol industry (within reason). I’m thinking the adult industry won’t come near me at my age!
I am increasingly concerned about the impact of fast fashion so I am going to be taking a close look at any clothing lines which approach Retiring not Shy!
What a wonderful young man, thanks for sharing his story, it gives one such hope for the future.
Hasten slowly is an excellent way to handle it. Yes, I was impressed when I heard the story!
I was offered a very low paying gig when I was looking for work a year or two ago here. It paid just over $18/hr and you had to work shifts including weekends and public holidays for no extra pay. They had some special ‘Island’ award so could get away with it.
In my pre-seachange life I earned more than 3 times that an hour as a boring old public servant so it was a bit of a shock. Having said that, I knew I’d have to make some allowances and did contract stuff for $28/hr for several years. I felt as if I had no choice…. I needed to pay the bills.
I’m working part-time now and the wage is okay but I’m struggling to put aside anything for extras and more stressed than I’d like to be about my finances so thinking I either need to pick up another part-time job or do something else to earn some extra $!
I feel you Deb. Even though I love my business it’s not as profitable as I’d like so I’ve started thinking about other options … shhhh don’t tell anybody ….