What to do when your boss asks you to do something illegal

Flickr/nolurvinhereIt can feel like a no-win situation.

When your boss asks you to do something illegal or unethical, you face one of the most challenging dilemmas in your career. "There are potential negative consequences for speaking up, as well as for complying," says Taylor. "It can feel like a lose-lose."

But you should know that you're not alone, she says. "Greater transparency through social media and financial fallouts have mitigated ethical breaches somewhat, but unfortunately, the problem is still widespread enough to affect everyone's career because managers don't always play by the same rules."

If and when your boss asks you to do something you know you shouldn't, you should first understand the facts, know your options, and consider the potential outcomes before giving your response.

"Most of all, know that your self-protection is paramount," Taylor explains. "Misdeeds, such as destruction of certain data, illegal hiring and termination practices, over-billing clients, and unauthorized use of proprietary company information, for example, can plague you for a lifetime if you decide to engage - professionally, morally, and in extreme cases, legally."

Here's what to do if you find yourself in this situation: