Folks, I need some input on a work ethics question...

[Robb]

Suppose you had a high-level job for a company, and the owner did some sketchy illegal stuff, say groping his low-level employees. Suppose you are fired, or choose to resign, rather than work with the owner to defend his actions.

Is your quitting in protest enough? Or should you actively try to bring the guy down, go to the press, etc.? Where does your own responsibility end? :shrug:

[liberalnurse]

1. Quitting does not address the problem

it only removes you from the abuse.

[Shrek]

2. I was in a situation like this

My employer was engaged in software piracy . . . he'd buy one license for a software package, and then install it on all 30 or 40 PCs in the office.

After I left the company, I called the SPA's hotline to let them know what was going on. I have no idea if they ever took any action, but my conscience was clear.

I guess that would be my advice to you -- whatever you do, make sure you can live with yourself afterwards. If there's groping involved, remember that it could escalate and some young woman could get seriously traumatized.

[mopinko]

3. help the low level employees

speak to them, urge them to sue, and back them up in any way possible. high level confirmation can make all the difference in such cases. also if you are in a position to copy records which might show sex discrimination (usually accompanies neanderthal behavior) do it. or at least familiarize yourself with what is in the records, so that attorneys can subpoena them.

[DuctapeFatwa]

6. If you can find them other jobs, fine to do all that.

The reality is most 'low level employees' are living about a check away from the street, and if they make waves, and are terminated (for an unrelated reason, of course) they and any dependents they have will be in a no-income situation, and low level employees are not likely to have savings and portfolios and other assets to tide them over.

Although the well-intentioned affluent may not realize that, they do, and for that reason may be reluctant to "sue."

Educate yourself about the situations of the people involved. A young woman with affluent parents who is working to "learn responsibility" or spending money is a better target for your efforts than a single mom without affluent relatives who may not be able to afford "rights."

[mopinko]

21. absolutely good advice

finding them other jobs is a great idea. and advice to sue would depend on the attitude at the local eeoc office. (no money required, but time and knowledge definitely are.) but support in whatever they want to do about it is what i meant. moral support, witness, whatever they need.

"single mom without affluent relatives who may not be able to afford "rights."" been there, done that, do understand.

[TXlib]

4. If you are prepared to quit, or be fired, then protest from within

Be a witness to what has happened.

If you are fired, you may be able to file a wrongful termination suit, as well.

[THUNDER HANDS]

5. you chop off his pinkie finger

That's how we handle things where I come from.

[Robb]

7. Now, see,

...finally, some advice I can get behind. :)

I had no idea... Magic Rat, mafia enforcer. Who knew?

[rock]

17. Magic Rat, mafia enforcer.

We all knew, we just couldn't say.

[TXlib]

18. Yakuza?

[wryter2000]

8. Is it groping?

It kind of depends on what sort of stuff he's doing. If he is groping people, I'd approach them and tell them what he's doing is illegal and if they want to bring suit, I'd testify on their behalf. Then, I'd leave it up to them.

[MurikanDemocrat]

9. Does this company have an HR department?

Also, has the person who was groped filed a complaint?

Geez, what a pig.

[Robb]

12. Three verbal complaints

One directly to HR, and two to department managers... HR is on the side of goodness and light, but seems to not know what direction to go, since "up" is the problem.

[GOPisEvil]

15. A complaint to the EEOC, perhaps?

:-)

[MurikanDemocrat]

16. This person should file a formal complaint and report to EEOC as well

No excuse for groping, especially by management. That is also abuse of power.

[blindpig]

10. blackmail can be profitable n/t

[Burma Jones]

11. I've been there

Had a racist boss. Wanted to get rid of the African Americans on teh project as well as one white woman that was engaged to a black guy. Flat out told me. I wenrt to his boss, Corporate VP, he told me to shut up. This was on a project for the Mass Transit Administration and our primary client was an African American. HOWEVER, under our contractual work, the program had improved incredibly, even to the point that the data we collected was actually usable by transportation planners, this had never been the case in the past. So, we had a very successful project, run by a bigot, that was making an African American guy look real good and got him bumped up to the Senior Executive Service. So, there was nobody I could tell, and no actual proof that my boss said what he did.

So, I quit before being fired. The boss eventually got his though. The African American client got what he wanted, knew my boss was a scumbag, and had him taken off the project in such a way as to ruin his chances for any sort of high paying job in Transit Management.

In fact, the slimeball boss's boss, the guy that told me to shut up, ended up losing all credibility and having to leave the DC area to get his career going again. And another guy in on the slime, our IT guy, was fired from his next two jobs.

[radwriter0555]

13. If you quit regarding his ethical issues, which I wholly advocate, let the

VICTIM know that if (they) choose to take action against him, you'll back them, and add your fuel to the fire....

And then take the time to document what you know.

[radwriter0555]

14. Or you could just bust his chops, quit, and tell him WHY and how you've

documented it.

Scare the crap out of him.

[Beer Snob-50]

19. You yourself quiting will do nothing except make you

unemployed!! try and work from within and help those being groped by getting them in touch with a lawyer (preferable one who works pro bono) or a federal/state agency that deals with such cases.

[NashVegas]

20. Quit and Take the Best

of the remaining staff with you.

[Fleshdancer]

22. Yes you should do something. It will only get worse if he isn't stopped

By asking the question, I think you already know your answer. You have a voice and a strong sense of ethics for a reason and now you have the power to help those who feel pretty powerless at this point (especially in this economy).

My general rule is that if I would get upset enough to do something about the situation if it were happening to my own daughter, then I MUST do something about it. No ifs ands or buts about it. If anything, you should do what you can because if you don't, you'll be doubting your lack of action for many many years.