A Truck Driver's Moral Dilemma

 [Karl Note: Here is an example of MY handling of a morals issue raised by someone who asked for the books.

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From: root (System Administrator) [mailto:root (System Administrator)]
Sent: Monday, September 02, 2002 12:56 PM
To: happy@happinessonline.org
Subject: Message to Karl Loren from the Happiness On Line Org


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Source:                Happiness On Line Org
Contact_FirstName:     Donald
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Date:                  Monday September 02, 2002
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message:

Dear Karl,

the problem at work is im a truck driver over the road they pay by mile but drive many more miles than they pay.

they expect you to just log the pay miles (falsify log).

last trip out was 1385miles only paid 1275 were only allowed to log 61 av in 10Hrs.

i only run the speed limit regardless so i only avg 58-59 mph so im always late delivering.

then the next load about the same miles is supposed to del in 2days it takes me 3.

then it takes away a day of hometime.plus so much more moral ethics. (not a request of books ive already done so.

Donald

Dear Donald,   You don't have to use this form for more messages.   Just reply to happy@happinessonline.org   The same as this message goes out on.   That is an interesting ethics/morals situation.   What you are dealing with is that probably the entire industry is doing this?   And, probably it is the industry's answer to the arbitrary requirements by the Government?   In other words the government puts arbitrary rules out there, and the company tries to live within in them, but leaves it up to you to be the basic source of false information.   If I am right? That virtually all truckers have to live with these same rules? Then, it is an entire group, including the government regulations, that are not logical.   As a "counselor" on this I would suggest you write back to me and give me your assessment.   Is it true that the original source of the problem is some government regulation?   Is it true that most other trucking companies try to "solve" the regulations in the same way -- ask YOU to falsify your statistics?   If so, then, your next chore would be to:   1.  Take responsibility for the entire government -- tell me what they SHOULD do, instead of what they are doing??   2. Then, even if the regulations are the same, tell me what the companies SHOULD do, instead of asking you to falsify your statistics.   3. Finally, write and tell me what you COULD do that would allow you to be more ethical and honest and keep your job.   It all comes down to how much you want and need your job.   This is not, apparently, a situation where one person, only, within a group is violating some ethical code?   But, rather where everyone is expected to do it??   Write back and give me your thinking on this??   Thanks,   Cordially,   Karl Loren