What to Do When Your Boss Doesn't Trust YouFailures of trust and communication can be tricky to navigate. The Ethics Coach can help.

Q: I work part time at a company. My desk sits out of the owner's view. After I called in sick for a few days thanks to a case of shingles, the owner had his administrative assistant—also a part-time employee—tell me they can't trust the hours on my timecard because they can't see when I arrive or leave, and I "could be ripping them off." I'm insulted. I report hours accurately, have been there a year and resent that a peer was sent to deliver this message to me. My initial instinct was to quit. How should I handle this?

A: Your experience underscores some ethical problems that can be avoided through solid communication skills.