A Philadelphia man trying to get out of debt found himself stuck in a situation that didn’t sit right with him. While working a part-time job at a home improvement store, Doug, who called into a recent “The Ramsey Show” podcast, said management recently started pushing employees hard to sign customers up for credit cards and even home equity lines of credit.
Doug, who is following Dave Ramsey‘s debt payoff plan, said he has refused to promote those products, even as the pressure from management increased.
“I have never signed anybody up for one. I refuse to do it,” Doug said, explaining that while he enjoys helping customers with home projects, he doesn’t want to push financial products he doesn’t believe in.
Don’t Miss:
That put him in a bind. With about nine to 10 months left before reaching his financial goals, Doug asked whether he should quietly ride it out or sit down with his manager and explain his values.
“Well, if you do that, you’re going to get fired,” Ramsey said plainly.
He explained that while Doug’s concerns are understandable, the company has made its expectations clear. “They have now said, OK, you work for us,” Ramsey said. “Your job is to help someone find the bolt, the screw, the lock and to sign them up for a credit card. That’s your job.”
In other words, refusing to do it means not doing the job as defined by the employer.
Ramsey suggested a more practical approach: find another part-time job that doesn’t require pushing credit products.
“I honestly, I think you probably get another job that doesn’t require that, that pays about the same,” he said.
Trending: Skip the Regrets: The Essential Retirement Tips Experts Wish Everyone Knew Earlier.
Co-host John Delony focused less on the job itself and more on how Doug was handling the situation mentally.
“How often do you spend having imaginary conversations with your boss?” Delony asked.
Doug admitted he had thought about it more than once. Delony warned that those internal debates can drain time and energy without solving anything.
“Those imaginary conversations are a complete and utter waste of your time,” Delony said. “They detract energy that you could be spending on loving your wife well… and being at peace.”
Instead, Delony encouraged Doug to make a clear decision. Either have the conversation or don’t, but stop replaying it in his head.
