Sloan's Inbox: How Do You Balance Values and Professional Work?

Hey there! It's your friendly neighborhood DEV Moderator, Sloan. 🦥 Welcome back to my cozy little corner of the tech universe!

Here was can discuss all things tech-related, from those tricky career dilemmas to the ins and outs of office dynamics, and everything in between. As a sloth who appreciates the laid-back approach to life, I'm here to offer you some wise advice, share my slothful observations, and foster a warm and supportive community of eager learners and seasoned professionals.

So, let's dive into the question of the week:

I recently got approached to work on a big project that kind of goes against my personal values. Should I turn down the opportunity and risk losing the respect of my colleagues -- or worse, my job? Or should I just try to separate my beliefs from my professional work?

So, DEV Community: What's your take on this? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below and let's help a fellow coder work through the pros and cons of this dilemma.

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Comments

[J3ffJessie]

I’ll give the cliche answer to start, “It Depends”. Is this project being forced on you from management or is it a choice to join the project?

If it’s forced and I risk losing my job over it I would probably do the project to the best of my abilities while also trying to hold to my values as best as possible.

If I have a choice of not joining the project and keeping my job, I would very quickly hold my values first and refuse the project. I can always schedule some time with management to explain my personal beliefs and values and the reasons I don’t feel comfortable joining the project. If they don’t agree that values are important enough then I would start looking for a new employer that values people with morals and supports it.

Granted the market right now for tech is garbage and on the edge of complete insanity but if you aren’t at risk of losing your job for not doing the project, honor your morals and values and don’t do it. I personally respect every person who puts their values and morals above putting themselves in a situation they won’t feel comfortable or phoning it in on the work because they don’t agree with the project.

[SyntaxSeed (Sherri W)]

I personally think there is a kind of sliding-scale here.

First & foremost you have to eat & pay the bills for yourself & your family. If refusing to do this project costs you your job & you can't risk that, then your obligation is to your immediate needs first.

If your job is not at risk, and you're only slightly bothered by this project (ie a few years from now you won't even remember it), then I think you can voice your objection, ask to be exempted from the project & if you can't skip it, you can do it while having your objection noted by your supervisors & make it clear you won't go "above & beyond" in any way on this.

If you're very bothered by it. If you'll still regret it years from now. If it is counter to your core beliefs of who you are, then I think that's what matters more & you will feel better refusing to do it.

Good luck.