I am frequently contacted by agencies and businesses wanting me to write about or promote them, here on the blog.

Sometimes, they even offer payment!

If it fits with the needs and interests of my audience, I give it careful consideration.

However, I have a family friendly policy for this blog, so I choose not to work with the adult, alcohol, or gambling industries. Others do, and that’s fine; but on my blog, it’s my rules. I’m the one that has to sleep with my conscience each night!

Sure, I lose out on some potential income but for me, the sacrifice is worth it.

Would You Refuse This Job?

But this is small fries compared to what one young man recently sacrificed for his beliefs – as I learned while chatting to one of his (very proud) parents at a party recently.

The young man has just finished uni studies in marketing, and did an internship with a large PR agency. They were so thrilled with his work, that they Offered him a full time Job – which sounded like a dream come true, until he heard who his first client would be.

Yup, you guessed it, one of the big betting sites.

He turned down a job that offered $100K a year or more … because it was against his ethics and principles.

I really admire his decision, and respect his integrity.

What Jobs Would You Refuse?

I’ve turned down a couple of jobs in my time.

When I was unemployed at age 20, I was offered a job at a bikini carwash.

I had left home, was out of work and desperate for money so I did seriously consider it, but knew I just couldn’t do it. (I wonder if these days, Centrelink would make you take it, or cut off your Newstart?!)

In time I did find another job, where I met the hubster … .

I’ve faced this dilemma again, more recently.

Last year I was at a conference and had a great chat with a fellow, looking for digital marketing support for his thriving business. He was keen to hire my services, and I was enthusiastic too – until I found out that the business was based on astrology.

This might not be a deal-breaker for some, but it was for me. You see, I know that I begin to believe the copy I am writing – which is fine when it comes to working for a psychology firm, podiatry clinic, beauty therapist, earthmoving company, or whatever. But not astrology.

So tell me … have you ever turned down a job for moral or ethical reasons? What jobs would you refuse?