Timeline for Asked to secretly obtain coworker's knowledge before he gets fired
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
23 events
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| Sep 24, 2017 at 22:33 | history | edited | einpoklum | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Sep 5, 2017 at 18:14 | comment | added | PoloHoleSet | I understand that. To my mind, the high road would be not spying on him. Specifically going against orders not to disclose something confidential is a bit more murky and risky. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 18:07 | comment | added | einpoklum | @PoloHoleSet: Of course it would be safer if OP had an anchor elsewhere, but - you can't always plan ahead like that and OP has to play the hand he was dealt. I say he should take the high road. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 16:13 | comment | added | PoloHoleSet | I'd be more okay with this answer if OP had an accepted job offer somewhere else, first. Not down-voting because, at the very least, OP should be looking to get the heck out of that company. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 16:04 | comment | added | einpoklum | @BiscuitBaker: See edit. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 16:04 | history | edited | einpoklum | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Sep 5, 2017 at 15:33 | comment | added | BiscuitBaker | @einpoklum I hope you don't feel attacked by my suggestion or anything, that part really is just me offering my opinion on a potential improvement. I genuinely did just want to thank you for your contribution in light of the downvotes, regardless of whether I agree or not. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 15:21 | comment | added | einpoklum | @BiscuitBaker: This editorialization is a better alternative than starting a "comment flame war" with other answers. It's a toning-down of what I really feel like saying. Also, it should be noted that even posting an answer like this here is somewhat personally risky, since employers can figure out my account name relatively easily. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 14:56 | comment | added | BiscuitBaker | I have to say, while I don't agree with this answer (and I think it could do without the editorial stab at "the weakness of working class organization and education in the US"), I am at least thankful that someone's expressed an opposing viewpoint. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 14:36 | comment | added | einpoklum | @DavidK: 2. "then those are the instructions that need to be followed" Those are indeed the instructions, but you should definitely not follow instructions just because they were given. If they're not justified in your view, you try to not follow them, balancing the strength of your objections with the risk of getting penalized if caught. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 14:31 | comment | added | einpoklum | @DavidK: 1. It is the boss' responsibility vis a vis the company, not vis-a-vis the workers (individually and collectively). Remember the first part of my answer: Those are two inherently conflicted parties. It is the workers' responsibility to countermand these kinds of underhanded company behavior which runs against their collective social interests. Now, if the boss hadn't told OP anything, I wouldn't suggest OP routinely hack his boss' computer to get that kind information, but if he knows - then he knows, and should act. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 14:29 | comment | added | einpoklum | @WoJ: You don't need to be revolutionary to do right by your coworker Steve. Also, this is not illegal. In many states in the world it is the employer who is actually acting illegally. In some states it might be a breach of contract, or it might not be. I believe it is socially and morally justified - and even imperative - regardless of the legal question. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 14:28 | comment | added | David K | @einpoklum YES your boss. It is his responsibility to decide when and how to share the information with Steve. IMO, the boss shouldn't have told the OP anything, but if the boss has instructed the OP not to share the information with Steve, then those are the instructions that need to be followed. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 14:25 | comment | added | einpoklum | @DavidK: Well, not your boss, since he's keeping the information from Steve. So, again, whom? | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 14:16 | comment | added | WoJ | @einpoklum: I can agree to some of the elements in your comment (to a more or less large extend depending on the countries). What you are saying in your answer is to do something illegal. This cannot be a general advice - in order to change things either you start a revolution, or you go though legal means to have the law changed. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 13:53 | comment | added | David K | @einpoklum "If not you, then whom?" Your boss, who is responsible for hiring and firing. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 13:51 | history | edited | einpoklum | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Sep 5, 2017 at 13:50 | comment | added | einpoklum | Also, of course the law is very much slanted in favor of Capital - that is the social system we live in. When labor organizing started in the US they were found by the courts to be criminal conspiracies to increase wages... (Commonwealth v. Pullis) Still, in light of your comment about my bolded title, I added a caveat for safety. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 13:49 | comment | added | einpoklum | @WoJ: Contracts are signed by inherently unequal parties with some inherently opposing interests - a worker and an employer. The worker is not at liberty to not work anywhere - s/he must work somewhere, to sustain his/herself. If that weren't the case people would not sign contracts in which other people can give them orders and have them spy on their coworkers etc. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 13:43 | comment | added | einpoklum | @DavidK: It is not your job, because the employer gives you your job. But it is your responsibility. If not you, then whom? | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 13:34 | comment | added | WoJ | When you sign a contract, it is written there (or regulated by law) how termination can be handled. This may include "on the spot". You may not be happy with it but this is the law. Your alternative is either to join a political party which wants to change the labor law in you country or relocate somewhere else (or have a better contract). Your advice is to be an outlaw. It would be better if the current bolded title of your answer was "#YOLO, be an outlaw, tell him!" | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 13:32 | comment | added | David K | This is horrible advice. It is not your job to tell someone they are fired, and doing so without your bosses instruction will completely destroy your relationship with management. See this question, this question, and this question. | |
| Sep 5, 2017 at 13:20 | history | answered | einpoklum | CC BY-SA 3.0 |