Based on 114 community votes, the most popular answer to “My Boss Asked Me to Adjust Numbers—Do I Do It?” is “Refuse and risk angering my boss” — chosen by 31% of voters.
Category: work • Theme: Career Security vs Personal Ethics
I work as an analyst at a mid-sized firm, and for the last three years, I’ve truly put my all into this job. Recently, my boss pulled me into her office and closed the door. She said she needed me to "smooth out" some sales numbers in our quarterly report to show growth we didn’t actually achieve. She hinted that this was important for the department’s future—and subtly, for my own. I knew she was under a lot of pressure and, to be honest, so am I. I have a mortgage, student loans, and my husband is between jobs right now. I’ve never been asked to do anything like this before, and part of me worries that if I refuse, I’ll be labeled as ‘difficult’ or not a team player…or even let go. But I keep thinking about what could happen if someone found out. It’s not just numbers—it’s our company’s reputation and my integrity on the line. Still, I know plenty of people just go along with these things, and maybe I’m being naïve to risk my livelihood over something that ‘everyone does’ behind closed doors. At the same time, I worry if I report her or push back, my boss could make my life miserable or worse. I feel completely trapped and haven’t slept in days—every option feels like a step into quicksand. What would YOU do?
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