The careerist: Working for a company in disgrace Having your employer publicly dragged through the mud is unpleasant and can affect your life both in and outside of the office. How do you cope with working for public enemy number one? How bad is it? "The main thing is context," says Helen Wright, of research and consulting firm Great Place to Work. There is a world of difference between a company which conducts itself well having a bad PR moment and one where the culture is deeply problematic. Jessica Pryce-Jones, CEO of iOpener, a workplace happiness and performance consultancy, adds that you need a sense of proportion. It may help to remember that there are shysters everywhere. It just so happens you work for a business that is in the spotlight at the moment - and it will probably blow over. "Work is part of who we are and we like to have a connection to what we do," says business psychologist Jean Roberts. If you lack this, cognitive dissonance can become a problem. Philippa Foster Back, director of the Institute of Business Ethics at Oxford university's Saïd Business School, notes: "At an individual level you have your personal values, then societal values and corporate values. If there's tension between these and you're being asked to compromise your personal values, you may become stressed and anxious. What can I do? If it is a relatively short-term problem, you may just be able to take it on the chin. However, cynical detachment isn't much good in the long run. "Leaders need to get people talking and create forums where this can happen," says Ms Foster Back. Ms Roberts adds: "Become an influencer: find like-minded people and tell those above what you're not comfortable with. Even lowly employees can champion change. Taking action will go a long way towards making you feel better, but there are quick fixes too. "Sit down and list your options - up to and including venting on Twitter and even full whistleblowing," says Ms Pryce-Jones. You probably shouldn't actually do these things, but knowing you have options helps you regain a sense of control. How do I deal with it outside of work? A few snide comments are not going to hurt but there's only so much laughing it off you can do. "You might say, "I don't know all the details - I was shocked and surprised,"" says Ms Foster Back. It is about recognising it and not being in denial. What happens if I go elsewhere? "Getting another job may be a problem if you're very senior," says Ms Foster Back. But if you're in the middle you should be prepared to be asked to give your views on it. But avoid criticising your previous employer overtly, as this comes across as unprofessional. "People learn through bad experiences," says Ms Wright. So whilst it may be unpleasant at the time it can be good CV fodder. Rhymer Rigby