Job Value Conflicts Can Be Managed

Employees are more likely to remain with an organization when their personal values align with the company's mission. However, situations arise where job tasks may conflict with an individual's deeply held beliefs, creating discomfort. These values conflicts are common and can manifest in various ways, often requiring individuals to develop strategies for navigation.

One common approach is to ignore the conflict, such as purchasing inexpensive goods without dwelling on the potential labor conditions of their production. Alternatively, pragmatic justifications can lead to compromises, like driving a car despite environmental concerns due to the necessity of transportation in many locations. Some individuals may appeal to a broader, overriding value to rationalize a trade-off, such as supporting a war for the sake of long-term global safety.

However, most people possess at least one "protected value." These are fundamental beliefs so strong that an individual is unwilling to compromise them under any circumstances. For example, a staunch opponent of abortion may refuse to support the procedure even in life-threatening situations for the mother, and an animal rights activist might not condone any harm to animals. When an individual is asked to violate a protected value, it often elicits a strong emotional response, such as moral outrage.

The approach to resolving a values conflict at work depends significantly on the nature of the conflict. If the conflict involves a value that allows for compromise, individuals might explore ways to mitigate the discomfort or find alternative solutions that align more closely with their beliefs, even if not perfectly. This often involves a careful assessment of the specific task and its implications against the backdrop of one's value system.