You have to make your own decision, that is number one. I have been studying ethics lately, and I think Kant has an interesting way of looking at these things. He said, whatever action you do, imagine the action would become a universal law, and consider it like that.

My ethics say no problem...as long as I am not acting against the interests of my client's...

What Kant actually said: "Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law."

Morally, I think that is really up to you. I have no comment about that.

I work construction. I believe in my 40 years of work that the client always wanted the best job he/she could get.
That part IS ethical, the interests of the client.

But he maybe let go anyway (or may not) and someone else may take his place ..

his present performance? He can't change that which he is unaware of and having recently lost my husband to cancer I know how things can fall to the wayside.

an income stream and both of you don't lose the client?

If you can do that, he's much better off than if he's just canned from the account.

You can't take the job from him and stay friends. And you can't control what the boss does, but you can control what you do.

If you honestly believe it is fairly certain he's going to get canned anyway, then you would be able to fill the place in good conscience.

But if you think it might be pushing him overboard.....well, that's another story

You said so yourself that you have a mortgage to pay.

I'm sure the consultant would grab work from you if he had the chance.

well aren't you the cynic.

is the hierarchy of your organization such that you could assist your coworker? perhaps since the business manager seems more interested in communicating with you his displeasure than him, you could inform him of the finer nuances he is missing? Maybe some sort of "coaching"?

Does the guy whose wife has cancer get to keep the job, or are they so dissatisfied with his work that they will find someone else to take it on?

Perhaps explain to the business manager that while you would be very happy with this project you would not feel comfortable taking work away from someone who needs it, given his wife's situation. The business manager should respect you for this and it may well help you in the long run. Of course, they may decide to let the guy go at which point there should be no moral dilemma for you in taking on the project.

There is no right choice here.
If the quality of his work is sub-par, the company will be making the change anyway, I would guess. If it helps, in your shoes I would probably take the gig.

not to trash your friends work in the process, it shoudln't cause any hurt feelings. However it is sometimes almost demanded of you to trash the former employee. I'd not want to take it on then.

He may be ready to dump the client. Who knows? If you're not sure what to do and you'd feel bad if you knocked the guy out of work, then asking him is a great idea. Tell him that you've been approached and about your concerns.

What goes around comes around. If you take the gig and he loses his work and income, you'll have made an enemy, and enemies aren't a good thing. If you ask and he says to take it, then take it. If he objects to you trying for the job, ask him if he's secure in it and does he think he'll be able to hang on to it.

Do the right thing and talk to this person. Either way, you'll have given him a heads up about the dissatisfaction the client has with him.

That's what I'd do, anyhow. Who knows, you may make a friend and that may pay off down the road somehow.

I say pull the guy's coat-tail about the client's concerns and possibly offer to provide assistance, if possible.

most are recommending, though. Sad, IMO.

It's been my experience that helping someone who is struggling pays better (long-term) dividends than taking advantage of someone's weakness/failings. In the latter case, you get that contract ... but you also get the reputation for cutting someone's throat (whether deserved or not). In the former case, you lose that contract; but by reaching out to the guy, you gain an ally that can/will steer business your way.

At least, that has been my experience.

They're not as common today as they once were, but they still work just fine.

Is it alright to come to an agreement with the guy?
Merely to be paid a retainer fee to help out if need be?

I don't know. It is kinda hard. I don't have those problems, so I've been known to do some other person's job, if I can do it quickly, or to even give a huge part of the idea on how something should be done.

Still, it is also not on a contractual basis, so I can't really tell you.

I've helped coworkers through the years but there is a line. It's not like you're actively working to make the guy look bad. Do what is best for your career and quality of life first, still help them though if the opportunity is available.

What's in the client's best interest?

If you're a consultant, don't you have an ethical obligation to find solutions for their problems?

maybe some tips on how to do a better job ?

you say his wife has cancer, could that be affecting the quality of the job he is doing ? his mind is not totally there maybe.

Your duty as a consultant is to provide the best services to your client.

You may want to give your fellow employee a heads up that his work has been slipping, and that it's being noticed. It might light a fire under him and help him to shift his focus to work. Or he may decide to take a leave of absence to spend time with his wife.


It seems that at the present time the quality of your work more than likely surpasses the quality of his work, and in the best interests of the client, your company, and yourself, you must do your duty and take the job. Otherwise you risk losing the client and your fellow employee may be let go anyway, and you'll get the stink eye for not taking over that account and keeping the client's business.

a queit heads up to the client's concerns ... Possibly offer to help him out.

will have on you. I understand you want to know if your decision will result in the loss of a job for someone else, but doing the right thing doesn't always mean you get to know the outcome. Sometimes you do the right thing and the outcome sucks anyway. Sometimes you do the right thing and a year later the wrong thing is done to you. It's about holding your head up and knowing that your life is as moral and just as you want it to be.

It may very well be that you don't take the job, the guy gets fired and then some total d-bag gets the work. Are you okay with that? That outcome doesn't change who you are, only the decision does. You are the reward for being a good person, not a check.

A clear conscience makes for a very soft pillow.

2. Pull some strings to make sure I'm the new hire

Clean conscious, win-win all around!

I work as a consultant also... if you don't take the gig, does that work against you as a consultant? What does your current "employer" say about your work if you refuse to take this? When it comes down to it, it's the client who matters. If your taking the work keeps the client happy, then that is what must be done. Doesn't mean you need to be gleeful about it but refusing it for some sort of loyalty over a guy you probably don't even really know... I'd go with pleasing the client, not my "co-worker."

and regret it, than not take and regret.

If it helps, the client made up their mind about your friend before they asked you.