http://ethicscrisis.com/ A blog about global business ethics, from SRF Global Translations, specialists in nuanced, localized, multilanguage translation of compliance and marketing materials for multinational companies. en Copyright 2009 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:51:44 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss I used to work for a sub-prime lender. I would look the other way while our LOs and managers would falsify documents, create them from scratch (including W2s), and lie on loan applications. We did a lot of good for some people (self-employed people, especially), but we really screwed a lot of others. Particularly the people in fixed-rate loans that were desperate for cash; we'd take them from a 6.25% fixed, to a 8.75% ARM w/2 points. I'm really glad to have left that industry (and banking in general), but in light of the current economic crisis I always feel a little guilty.... http://ethicscrisis.com/2008/11/we_gave_mortgages_to_people_who_couldnt_pay.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2008/11/we_gave_mortgages_to_people_who_couldnt_pay.php Confessions Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:51:44 -0500 I anonymously made allegations through the business practices anonymous 800 # that my boss was hiring vendors based on favors. He was investigated and consequently fired even though none of the allegations were proved. I was promoted to his position after he was fired.... http://ethicscrisis.com/2008/08/i_set_up_my_boss_so_i_could_have_his_job.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2008/08/i_set_up_my_boss_so_i_could_have_his_job.php Confessions Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:12:56 -0500 You know your translation is bad when it ends up in the comedy section of YouTube with the caption, "They should pay for a better translator, if you ask me." And what's up with the pet store owner and that little dog?... http://ethicscrisis.com/2008/04/bad_translation_funny_but_bad_for_business.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2008/04/bad_translation_funny_but_bad_for_business.php Bad Translation Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:16:02 -0500 In an effort to obtain business from an existing client I claimed we were working with several clients (6) in the same industry. One of the clients I listed is not currently a client but one we have spoken with for two years now. Turns out the person I am selling to knows the CEO of the company I'm talking to. I realize I misrepresented the truth. I lied.... http://ethicscrisis.com/2008/04/i_lied_to_get_new_business.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2008/04/i_lied_to_get_new_business.php Confessions Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:49:26 -0500 Even robots have to worry about ethics codes. An ethical code to prevent humans abusing robots, and vice versa, is being drawn up by the government of South Korea, where millions of dollars are being devoted to robot research. South Korea is one of the world's most high-tech societies and authorities there say that robotics are a key economic driver. The Ministry of Information and Communication has predicted that every South Korean household will have a robot by between 2015 and 2020, according to BBC News. The new guidelines could reflect the three laws of robotics put forward by author Isaac Asimov in his short story Runaround in 1942.... http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/03/south_korea_writing_robot_code_of_ethics.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/03/south_korea_writing_robot_code_of_ethics.php Ethics Compliance Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:36:22 -0500 I had received an e-mail from an account manager whom I loathed for her inability to do her job correctly, even at the most simple level. After receiving this ridiculous e-mail from her, I wanted to send it to a peer of mine whom I had vented to to witness firsthand just how bad she really was. I flamed intensely on the forward, and then sent it off -- only to realize that I had REPLIED to the e-mail, not forwarded it.... http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/02/clueless.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/02/clueless.php Confessions Wed, 28 Feb 2007 23:58:42 -0500 When the new Congress began its session in January, two familiar faces were not present: Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes and Rep. Michael G. Oxley, who are both retiring (after 30 and 26 years, respectively.) Many companies think their main legacy, The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, ought to be retired with them. Sarbanes-Oxley has seriously harmed American corporations and financial markets without increasing investor confidence, say critics.... http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/01/kiss_sarbanesoxley_goodbye.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/01/kiss_sarbanesoxley_goodbye.php Corporate Ethics Sat, 13 Jan 2007 19:15:56 -0500 I got an email attachment at work that had information about salaries in my department that I knew was proprietary. But I was up for a raise, so I printed it out and then deleted it from my email. Otherwise, it would be backed up that night if left online and then other people in my department would have access to information that gave me a wage negotiating advantage.... http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/01/if_its_not_there_it_didnt_happen_right.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/01/if_its_not_there_it_didnt_happen_right.php Confessions Sat, 13 Jan 2007 18:19:44 -0500 via NoisyRoom.net... http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/01/ethics_light.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/01/ethics_light.php Ethics_Issues_News Sat, 13 Jan 2007 17:29:19 -0500 Photo of a Chinese menu item translated into English in China, Mmm. Love those cowboys. via Rahoi.com... http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/01/good_enough_to_eat.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2007/01/good_enough_to_eat.php Bad Translation Sat, 13 Jan 2007 16:02:28 -0500 Sadly, while more people seem to be talking about ethics, there is precious little sign that any of the talk is turning into action, says Leon Ho at Lifehacks.... http://ethicscrisis.com/2006/12/ethics_schmethics.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2006/12/ethics_schmethics.php Corporate Ethics Mon, 04 Dec 2006 18:45:03 -0500 Jeff Swartz, CEO of Timberland, says corporations need to take the lead rather than waiting for the government to legislate social responsibility. “Jeff could have inherited an ice-making company or a coffee house and he’d still have wanted to see how it could be used for a broader social purpose,” said Dave Aznavorian, Timberland’s global brand manager. Schwarz acknowledges that he also needs to deliver results to shareholders. He says that changes in fashion have led to a downturn in Timberland sales that could result in selling the company. He says he'd give up control for more power, but that he'd never sell and walk away like Ben & Jerry's owners did. They sold the company and went home,” said Swartz. Swartz would have to be carried out with his [Timberland] boots on.... http://ethicscrisis.com/2006/12/corporations_not_government_need_to_take_the_lead_on_social_responsibility.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2006/12/corporations_not_government_need_to_take_the_lead_on_social_responsibility.php Corporate Ethics Mon, 04 Dec 2006 14:50:20 -0500 Cheating on an ethics exam? It sounds like the setup for a joke. But a group of grad students at Columbia University's journalism school are suspected of having done just that, according to the blog, Radar Online Hey, at least the New York Times credited Radar Online as its source. Now that's pretty ethical.... http://ethicscrisis.com/2006/12/students_accused_of_cheating_on_ethics_exam.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2006/12/students_accused_of_cheating_on_ethics_exam.php Ethics News Articles Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:06:09 -0500 I've always wondered what you would need to teach honest people about ethics, and whether any code could make dishonest people more honest. http://ethicscrisis.com/2006/10/are_corporate_ethics_codes_bunk.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2006/10/are_corporate_ethics_codes_bunk.php Corporate Ethics Sat, 28 Oct 2006 20:54:36 -0500 The Chinese have been extraordinarily adept at unintentionally hilarious translations, but the government is not amused, particularly with the 2008 Beijing Olympics on the horizon. So China has launched yet another drive to clamp down on bad English. Bad translations seem funny, says SRF Global Translations president, Sloan Friedman, until you consider their economic impact.... http://ethicscrisis.com/2006/10/china_cracks_down_on_bad_english_translations.php http://ethicscrisis.com/2006/10/china_cracks_down_on_bad_english_translations.php Bad Translation Wed, 18 Oct 2006 13:40:25 -0500