Do you know of companies or people that have been unethical?
Maybe you read about a scandal in the news, or something happened closer to home.
Something may have even happened at your own workplace.
Today, Lindsay and Aubrey answer a listener question about a phrase for discussing this experience.
Foul play
Today Aubrey and Lindsay are answering a question about foul play.
Aubrey shares that she just had an experience with an unethical company.
While attempting to renew her passport online, she realized that she was using a third-party website instead of the government website.
The company seemed to be intentionally misleading people by making it look like a government website.
Today’s question
Today’s episode is inspired by a question from a listener named Matheus:
I’ve been listening to a podcast you recommended and I heard the word ‘foul play’ a bunch of times.
Could you please tell me if it’s only for a crime or if I could use it meaning cheating, and if it’s informal to use at work?
The expression “foul play” refers to something that has happened that is unethical.
It could be dishonest, it could be cheating, or it could be flat-out illegal.
The key idea is that something seriously wrong has taken place.
You’ll often hear it in news reports talking about crimes.
Example:
- After watching the security footage, the police found no evidence of foul play.
Foul play in the workplace
Lindsay and Aubrey share that this vocabulary can be used in the workplace too.
Matheus asked if it was informal, but it’s actually the opposite.
Foul play sounds formal, strong, and accusational.
That means you should be careful when you use it.
Save it for serious situations only.
Here are some examples on how you can use it:
- There’s no proof of foul play yet, but they’re investigating the missing money.
- Several employees think there was some foul play in the promotion decision.
- The numbers didn’t add up, so they suspect foul play in the financial reporting.
Not every workplace situation calls for such a strong phrase.
Here are three alternatives depending on how serious the issue is.
#1: Questionable Practices
This is a softer way of saying something doesn’t seem right.
It points to poor decision-making or unfair policies without directly accusing any one person.
It’s more about the company or the process as a whole.
Examples:
- The audit pointed out a few questionable practices, but nothing illegal.
- People are concerned about some questionable practices in the hiring process.
#2: Conflict of Interest
This phrase is used when someone’s personal interests are affecting their professional decision-making.
Common examples include nepotism or decisions made for personal gain.
Examples:
- The lawyer can’t represent that client because he already represents the opposition, so there’s an obvious conflict of interest.
- You can’t work for two competing companies because there’s a conflict of interest.
- It could be a conflict of interest if she’s approving contracts for a family member.
#3: Ethical Issues / Ethical Concerns
This is a more neutral term used to describe behavior that doesn’t align with good values, even if it isn’t technically illegal.
Examples:
- People are refusing to buy fast fashion because of ethical issues.
- Using customer data without permission raises some ethical concerns.
- Asking employees to work unpaid overtime is an ethical issue.
Roleplay
Here is a quick roleplay between Aubrey and Lindsay showing how these expressions come up naturally in a real workplace conversation.
In this scenario, Aubrey and Lindsay are colleagues reviewing a recent hiring decision.
Aubrey: We’ve been reviewing the hiring process, and some ethical concerns came up.
Lindsay: Do you think there was foul play?
Aubrey: There’s no proof of anything illegal. But it looks like there may have been a conflict of interest. The man who was hired is related to the hiring manager — he’s her cousin.
Lindsay: Ah, I see. That definitely raises some concerns.
Aubrey: Exactly. Even if the decision was fair, the relationship should have been disclosed.
Lindsay: Agreed. Let’s review the situation and decide how to handle this.
Takeaway
Not all unethical behavior looks the same, and not all of it is illegal.
That’s why it helps to have a range of expressions at your disposal, from the strong and serious foul play, to the measured ethical concerns, as well as more neutral questionable practices.
Knowing which phrase fits the situation shows not just language skills, but professional maturity and good judgment.
The next time something at work doesn’t feel right, you’ll have the words to talk about it clearly and appropriately.
Check out BE 530: How Not to Step on Toes at Work for more on navigating tricky situations in the workplace.
Have you ever witnessed questionable practices or a conflict of interest at work?
How was it handled?
