The Career Doctor™

by Dr. Jacqueline Hornor Plumez

Looking for a first job? Thinking of changing careers? Facing a lay-off? The Career Doctor™ is a Larchmont psychologist specializing in career counseling. If you'd like to ask a question of your own, use our anonymous form, and she might answer you here. Read more about the Career Doctor here. Contact information is here.

TO TELL THE TRUTH OR NOT?

Dear Career Doctor:

My boss asked me to figure the price for an offering to a client. I made all the calculations and said the price should be $35. After meeting with the client, my boss told me to finalize the price at $36.

When I sat down to prepare the new price, I realized I'd made a math mistake and the price should be $36.50. My boss is happy thinking that he gained from the meeting whereas he actually lost.

Should I go to him and admit my mistake? He trusts me and didn't bother to check my figures. In the past, I have made mistakes and have always gone to him, but they were not this serious. It's going to be a big embarrassment if he has to go back to the client. On the other hand if I don't tell him he is sure to find out sooner or latter.

This is killing me. What should I do?

N.