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That is the craziest thing that I have ever heard of. That’s truly a lack of ethics on that persons part. I do hope that from your response that they will take a look at what they are doing and rethink their position but my gut is telling me that they will try to find another VA.
I don’t know “how much sense this will make,” as I’m still on the floor after having been knocked there after reading your post about “Ethics” and where have all the principles gone!
As a regular “watcher of the news channels” and a reader of the newspapers, I do know that a lot of the values and ethics with which I grew up seem to have fallen by the way-side in today’s age.
Having said, though, your recent request is also a new one on me! Nor have I any experience (fortunately) with such a request.) It’s unfortunate that a scenario like this has come to pass. And, I truly do hope it was a fluke…in that I hope it is not a new trend.
Because from what I have seen, many, many, many in the VA industry have worked diligently and extremely hard to maintain their ethics and to try to keep the standards that embody the Industry above reproach.
Karen
I wish I could be shocked, but unfortunately not. Some people do think it’s all right to cheat. I had several students ask me to write papers for them. Eventually, I decided to include links on how to write undergraduate papers right on my links page, noting that I don’t provide such a service.
Not the first I’ve come across I’m afraid Sharon and won’t be the last either, I’m sure. We’ve had uni students ask us to do things for them that they should be doing and the latest was… well, read my blog to find out! I’m taking a leaf out of your book and will add my own latest story to this problem for our industry.
Sharon, I really don’t think it is a new trend, just a different form of delivery to an industry that is relatively new.
Students have always managed to cheat in exams one way or another and I guess there are people who will always look for the ‘easy’ options, sadly.
As a Notary Public I’ve been asked to notarize a signature I did not witness. I have been asked to notarize the signature of an elderly woman, who suffered dementia, on a change of Power of Attorney. I hope the caller did not find anyone willing to do that.
That was so bizarre I wondered if it was the State of Oregon checking on my ethics.
I’d be interested in knowing the legal implications of this. Taking notes of a student’s lecture is one thing but wouldn’t sitting a test on someone else’s behalf be fraudulent?
This is 100% unethical! Your response was appropriate.
I once had a prospective client in the real estate industry ask me to call a list of property owners who had their house for sale through “For Sale by Owner”. She wanted to “sell” them her services. However, the list she provided showed “Do Not Call”.
I explained that I would not be calling the ones listed as do not call because she was soliciting business. She said “Never mind – I’ll find someone who will”. I siimply wished her good luck. I can hold my head up for doing the right thing!
I got that icky feeling when I read your post. I am appalled that someone would ask anyone to take a test for them. It goes to the degradation of knowing right from wrong. I am amazed at young people I come in contact with while mentoring them who really don’t have a good grasp of what is ethical and what is not. This is not being taught in schools and is not being reinforced at home. Watching the evening news is no help, either.
I can only hope that enough people will decline her request until she eventually realizes it is not ethical and abandon her quest. I wouldn’t want to work with someone like that.
Is it an ethics issue? Absolutely! I’m glad you stuck by your convictions–the only thing we have as VAs is our values and professionalism.
Hi Sharon,
Requesting a “ghost typer” is a new one on me, but I am not surprised. The Internet enables much that is good, but it also enables scams and unethical practices. How many junk mail pieces do you receive that advertise diplomas and other degrees for sale? This past weekend, I even heard of a Web site where you could register to become an ordained minister. There have been ways of cheating on tests and getting other folks to write your term papers for Lord knows how long. So getting someone else to take your typing test might be a new wrinkle in an ancient fabric, certainly an issue of ethics, but hardly a new trend.
Cordially,
Meg
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I’m not totally surprised by that request, because as others have stated, students have been cheating for years in some way or another.
The only experience I’ve had with an unethical request was when a someone came to me to ask me to re-create his college transcript and change the dates to make him look younger. He was going to go out and look for a similar position at another facility but was afraid his age would get in the way. I was shocked, especially because of his profession–he was a minister!
One thing I figured out from that experience was that I didn’t want to join his church!
Eons ago (1984), before VAs, I was a freelance typist. I received a call from an English teacher at a local school of higher education. She had a student who was the basketball team star, but who was failing her class. She wanted someone to prepare his final paper based on a VERY rough draft he had done–in other words, write his paper so he could play with a passing grade.
I turned that down, but was aghast that the teacher wanted the student to play ball, but didn’t seem to care about the student’s education.
Sharon-
Well done to take the high road, but this is a no-brainer for you I’m sure. As posted in previous comments, I think things like this happen regularly.
I’ve had a couple humdingers in the last couple months; one asking for assistance with some sort of espionage stuff. I spent a small amount of time wondering how these people choose their potential accomplices, then let them go.
Cheers,
Susan Gore