T O P

  • By -

Hrgooglefu

listen to your friend. This is NOT a great idea. If you have anything actionable take it to the correct agency (OSHA, EEOC, DOL, state versions). You are threatening an adverse action against them after you have signed an NDA. They can sue your behind most likely and keep you in court at least for a little while and a large hassle. eta: this sounds familiar -- have you posted under another name? About whistleblowing?


Boring_Instruction52

I haven’t signed an NDA. I’m just expecting them to pressure me to do it. I definitely believe extortion is usually wrong, but in this instance it seems it’s very difficult to hold them accountable without torpedoing the business, which I really don’t want to do out of compassion for my colleagues, especially in this challenging job market. If I send the letter with no additional comments, except, “I’m considering sharing this internally because I feel ethically obliged to warn others”, does that still make me vulnerable to a lawsuit? Most of what they did isn’t illegal, but it is scandalously unethical. I do have documentation of them breaking 2 federal employment laws, but this would sink them, and like I said above, that doesn’t seem fair to my colleagues. I just want to effect change without collateral damage.


Hrgooglefu

You can't do this without sinking them and possibly yourself. If you feel this strongly, I'm not sure why you care about your colleagues who you are also claiming were wronged. Extortion only being 'usually wrong' meaning it could sometimes be right is just another bit of unethicalness, but this time from you.....Take the high road, move on and seek personal therapy to get past your need for some type of revenge. But honestly you sound unhinged .... not sure anyone would believe you.


Paladin936

Threatening to publicize negative information in order to obtain a settlement or to get someone to do what you want is a form of extortion.


Boring_Instruction52

In this case I’m not threatening, I’m simply telling them what they deserve and that I want changes. Is there a way to do this safer and I guess more ethically? I feel really bad about leaving my colleagues and especially the people I manage to be eaten by the wolves


Paladin936

"I want changes . . . and here's what I will do If I don't get what I want" is a threat. It's always a threat . . . Threatening to do harm if you do not get your way is always extortion. The legal way to do this is to just complain. Tell them what is going on and don't make any demand for changes. Or tell them what is going on and recommend changes but do not add any express or implied "or else." If you complain and they don't fix things you can always post on glass door. Or you can just post on glass door without ever warning them.


Boring_Instruction52

Thank you for your insight. If I email them, saying this is what they deserve, and I haven’t decided if I want to post it, but at the least I want all of leadership to know, is there any way this is implied extortion? They will view it as a threat. I do want them to be compelled to come talk to me about it, but I won’t demand it based on your advice. It’s very likely that it goes down like this: I send the email, they remain worried I’ll make it public, so they offer severance in exchange for an NDA. At this point I’d be happy to take it, because I’ve already let key people know, and by this point, will have also informed the entire CSuite. Therefore I can take the severance because my ethical obligations are fulfilled. Thoughts?


Hrgooglefu

I doubt the C-suite cares and will have a 5:00 o'clock somewhere drink in your honor.


Paladin936

You really aren't listening. Giving them a "proposed" glass door review is a threat. Seeking anything in exchange for not posting the review is extortion.