Because having a job generally means a requirement to abide by company protocols, some employers in California may use that concept to their advantage. If their involvement in unethical or illegal activities requires the support of their workers, they may dangerously compromise the integrity and careers of innocent people.
Workers who practice awareness and understand the warning signs of white-collar crime may more effectively avoid involvement in behaviors that could wind up costing them their career.
Discouraging criminal activity
In an interesting article shared by Stanford Business, an expert suggested threatening jail time as an effective way to deter criminal activity in the workplace, particularly white-collar crimes. Illegal activities may result in costly fines and loss of credibility or reputation, but many businesses view these challenges as a part of conducting business. As such, threatening those types of consequences may not effectively discourage criminal conduct.
Identifying suspicious activity
Under the guise of providing opportunities for more responsibility and a chance to prove skills and ability, employers may rely on their employees to conduct unethical activities. If caught, they may try to blame their involvement in criminal behavior on their employees.
According to Business Insider, people should maintain their own morals and listen to their gut if a request from their employer seems suspicious or off-color. Workers should ask questions if their employer’s request does not make sense. They would also benefit from keeping a timeline of their actions and a record of conversations detailing their role in certain behaviors. This information may provide invaluable evidence and support if their employer faces criminal charges because of illegal activity.
