The 4-Way Test is a set of ethical guidelines used by Rotarians worldwide to guide their personal and professional conduct. It consists of four questions that Rotarians are encouraged to ask themselves in their daily interactions:
The 4-Way Test was created in 1932 by Herbert J. Taylor, a Rotarian and businessman, during a time when his company, Club Aluminum Products, was facing bankruptcy. Taylor believed that ethical business practices could help turn the company around. He devised the 4-Way Test as a simple, yet profound, ethical guideline for his employees to follow.
Initially, Taylor tested the principles on himself and then shared them with his company’s four department heads, who represented different religious faiths. They all agreed that the test’s principles aligned with their beliefs and could serve as a universal ethical guide.
In 1942, Richard Vernor, a director of Rotary International, proposed that Rotary adopt the 4-Way Test. The Rotary International Board approved the proposal in January 1943, making the 4-Way Test a core component of Rotary’s Vocational Service program. Today, it remains a vital element in all four Avenues of Service within Rotary.
