Conscientious people sometimes separate ethics into two areas: private and public. Fundamentally decent people thereby feel justified doing things at work that they know to be wrong in other contexts. They forget that everyone’s first job is to be a good person.

Here are some common poor excuses for un-ethical behaviour:

If It’s Necessary, It’s Ethical

This excuse is based on the false assumption that if something is necessary it doesn't matter much how it is done. The approach often leads to ends-justify-the-means reasoning. We tend to fall into the "false necessity trap" because we overestimate the cost of doing the right thing and underestimate the cost of failing to do so.

If It’s Legal, It’s Ethical

Legal requirements (which establish minimal standards of behavior) for personal moral judgment do not cover the full range of ethical obligations. Ethical people often choose to do less than the maximum allowed, but more than the minimally acceptable.

I Was Just Doing It For You

This is a primary justification for committing "little white lies" or withholding important information in personal or professional relationships. Consider the perspective of people lied to: If they discovered the lie, would they thank you for being considerate or would they feel betrayed, patronized or manipulated?

I’m Just Fighting Fire With Fire

This is the false assumption that promise-breaking, lying and deceit are justified if other people are doing it to you.

It Doesn’t Hurt Anyone

This excuse falsely holds that one can violate ethical principles so long as there is no clear and immediate harm to others. Examples are: Asking for or giving special favours to family, friends or public officials, disclosing nonpublic information to benefit others, using one’s position for personal advantage.

Everyone’s Doing It

This is a false "safety in numbers" rationale that assumes that just because many people are doing something it is universally accepted.

It’s OK If I Don’t Gain Personally

This justifies improper conduct done for others on the false assumption that personal gain is the only test of ethical behaviour.

I Deserve It

People who feel they are overworked or underpaid rationalize that minor "perks" are  fair compensation for work done. This is also used as an excuse to abuse sick time, insurance claims, overtime, personal phone calls and personal use of office supplies.