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The Art <strong>of</strong> <strong>Compliance</strong>by Art Weiss, JD, CCEPExcuses, excusesWeiss“That’s a dumb rule!”“Everyone else does it.”“Nobody will care.”“They can afford it.”“Who is going to know?”“They owe me.”Shall I go on? The list <strong>of</strong> excuses forunethical or sometimes even illegalbehavior can become quite long. Theseexcuses are nothing more than rationalizations<strong>and</strong> justifications for engaging inconduct which we know is wrong, but (pickone from the list above). Admittedly,there may be a few dumb rules <strong>and</strong>even a few dumb laws out there.Some folks pick <strong>and</strong> choose whichrules can be ignored or broken.<strong>Society</strong> heads towards trouble whenthat happens.Have you ever heard <strong>of</strong> anemployee taking home <strong>of</strong>fice supplies—maybeduring August when it’s back-to-school time?Maybe some Post-it ® Notes, staples, paperclips,or paper? That’s theft, people! Big deal. “Theycan afford it.” “They owe me.” “Everyone elsedoes it.” Those kinds <strong>of</strong> rationalizations canspill over into accounting, safety, environmental,conflicts <strong>of</strong> interest, gifts, <strong>and</strong> many otherregulations <strong>and</strong> laws with which compliancepr<strong>of</strong>essionals deal.Be honest. Do you turn your cell phone <strong>of</strong>fwhen the flight attendant says? Or do you turn<strong>of</strong>f the screen, put it into airplane mode, or turnit face down? Is it a dumb rule? There has neverbeen an aviation accident caused by havingelectronic devices remain on during flight (thatwe know <strong>of</strong>). Recently, a Southwest Airlinespassenger was met by the police after refusingto turn <strong>of</strong>f his cell phone, <strong>and</strong> a well-knownAmerican Airlines passenger made big newswhen he was removed from a flight becausehe wouldn’t stop playing a game on his devicewhen asked—a violation <strong>of</strong> FAA regulations.Some folks pick <strong>and</strong> choose whichrules can be ignored or broken.<strong>Society</strong> heads towards troublewhen that happens.It was interesting to read the online debatethat ensued in some <strong>of</strong> the comments postedunder the story about the Southwest incident.One commenter blamed the airlines <strong>and</strong>justified the passenger’s conduct by sayingthat passengers need to be on their phones,because <strong>of</strong> all the flight delays. Another saidthe government <strong>and</strong> media are lying. Thatscares me, <strong>and</strong> it should scare you too.For those responsible for enforcing rules<strong>and</strong> laws, there is hope, however. They arecertain to agree with the commenter whosaid, “I think it’s nonsense, but just follow therules, people.” ✵Art Weiss is Chief <strong>Compliance</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Ethics</strong> Officer at TAMKO Buildingproducts in Joplin, MO. He may be contacted at art_weiss@tamko.com.<strong>Compliance</strong> & <strong>Ethics</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional May/June 2012+1 952 933 4977 or 888 277 4977 | www.corporatecompliance.org 29