Abstract
While pro-social rule breaking (PSRB), rule breaking intended to help the organization, is rife with ethical considerations, the role of ethical work climate (EWC) in fostering such behavior has not received significant empirical attention. By viewing PSRB as an ethical decision involving tradeoffs and risk, this study exposes the ways in which EWC influences well-intended rule breaking. Results from a sample of 274 working adults show that instrumental climate perceptions are positively associated with PSRB, and that the interaction of moral disengagement and independence climate positively impacts PSRB. Rules and caring climates are negatively associated with PSRB. Interestingly, findings suggest a climate of self-interest promotes PSRB, while a climate of care discourages such behavior. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.