Should I be a whistle blower at work?

horologist2018 · 2018-11-09T17:05:02+00:00

From everything you described, sounds like you should blow the whistle. Any owner who likes his money is going to love you forever for bringing this to his attention. If he's a bad business owner, he'll shoot the messenger (you), and like you said; you'd be taken care of.

aaaGreg · 2018-11-09T17:12:22+00:00

How is your relationship with the owner? How are their relationships with the owner?

The owner might be aware and in on it, so tread lightly.

SeriousAccount0 · 2018-11-09T17:36:13+00:00

Get hard evidence of all of this before you say anything, and have a copy at home. I'd definitely say something. It's always nice to fuck over evil people and if you can make money doing it, why not? As long as you don't screw up your reputation within whatever industry you're in and make it harder for yourself later on.

nebder · 2018-11-09T17:37:30+00:00

Didn’t say how big the operation was. Hard to imagine a situation where an owner involved in daily operations and the finances would be unaware of this going on, particularly forged accounts. It takes a few minutes of looking over payables to question why you’re cutting checks for invoices you don’t recognize.

Tread lightly here. If your intentions are pure then play dumb and just say hey I found this stuff that looks odd to me. Can you also look into it. If your intentions are vengeful against your soon to be former boss be careful you never know when an old contact can help you out in the right situation.

I’d personally say not my monkeys not my circus and move on to the next job.

HurricaneHugues · 2018-11-09T20:20:13+00:00

You should be ready to jump ship. Start sending out resumes and applications to other jobs. Contact a legal advisor first. And THEN make your move. You also need to collect enough documentation as well to prove your claims.

I say definitely do it.

FearGarbhArMait · 2018-11-09T17:56:56+00:00

Talk to the owner and keep it private, attempt to leverage the opportunity into a promotion. Loyalty is costly.

dickcomments · 2018-11-10T04:07:47+00:00

CEO here.

You don't give enough information for a proper answer, such as:

1) How large the co is 2) Is it in a regulated industry 3) Is there an HR department 4) Does the company have a code of conduct/ethics agreement 5) Did you come about the information during the course of your normal job/duties

If it is truly defrauding the company, you are now a party to it if you don't speak up (translation - you could be considered part of the crime if charges are brought) So, the question isn't should you... it is how should you.

Can you please provide more info and I'd be happy to provide some potential paths for you.

bama79rolltide · 2018-11-09T17:28:43+00:00

An owner would want to know. Bring all the paperwork with you. Go to a dinner. Ethics matter.

orezavi · 2018-11-09T19:40:58+00:00

From what I learned, focus on interest and power. Your boss might be powerful but is it in his interest to know that YOU are snitching on them? Is it in YOUR interest?

cyphrrr · 2018-11-09T20:26:18+00:00

Record any conversations you have with the owner if you end up blowing the whistle

assholesfinish1st · 2018-11-09T22:53:34+00:00

The best time to find a job is when you have a job. Having options gives you power. Whatever you decide, say nothing until you have an offer in place.

4Sammich · 2018-11-09T23:14:18+00:00

When you leave will you be going to a direct, local competitor?

Do your bosses have connections with those operations?

Are you ready to be deposed should that come to a criminal proceeding and have verifiable information that you were SUPPOSED to have access to in order to discover the fraud?

If you do this anonymously can access to the files and data in question be linked back to you or is it an "All fingers in the pie" kinda program?

Are you ready to be blacklisted from your industry and become nearly unemployable in it? Are you open to literally abandoning the last 5 years of experience because you can't stay in that field?

This happened to a very good friend of mine when he whistle blew AND he had governmental protections.

chazthundergut · 2018-11-09T20:19:10+00:00

Do what you think is best.

But if it were me, I would keep my mouth shut.

Just as a personal rule, I never snitch. Unless it is a safety issue

chockle · 2018-11-09T22:59:13+00:00

if you are ok with the possibility of no longer being employed at the company. fire away.

Goal10der · 2018-11-09T23:57:17+00:00

Don’t get involved, you want to leave the company anyway. Make a peaceful and blissful exit.

classicrando · 2018-11-10T04:17:49+00:00

Uf you do, create a new email address at home on a non-work machine. Then create multiple deadman mechanisms to release the data to the press, poliice and personal friends/family of yours.

Yog-Nigurath · 2018-11-09T18:12:16+00:00

Keep us updated!

friendandadvisor · 2018-11-09T23:16:21+00:00

If the owner says "Who else knows about this?", while locking the door, start fighting your way out!

Original_Username7 · 2018-11-10T03:30:56+00:00

As a business owner, I would definitely want you to let me know if it is costing me money. But if you think it's just a part of the culture, then keep your lips sealed and look for a new job.

DirtyBastard13 · 2018-11-10T06:21:41+00:00

Consult a lawyer. Keep your mouth shut (tell no one, you don't know who's in on it) Gather evidence, document everything and keep backups off-site. Part of me wants to advise you to keep your mouth shut lest they fire you or pin it all on you. Shit rolls downhill not uphill, the management will get rid of the rank and file before they get rid of the brass.

People get away with illegal stuff all the time and the laws aren't for the protection of the little guy. By speaking up you may be blackballed in the industry. The unlawful dismissal can be gotten around by blaming any other infraction you've committed.

At one place I worked at, the managers were embezzling/underreporting revenue and the owner (who claimed she wasn't and offered rewards for the identity of the one who was stealing) was almost certainly in on it. I kept my mouth shut because I needed the job and didn't want the manager to pin the blame on me. (also had no hard evidence to prove any of it) The guy who reported it got fired a few days afterward. The head manager resigned but was still welcome back for special events (fishy). After a year the same manager who embezzled was back.

Perhaps the local labor commission or EEOC would be interested in hearing about this. If you must tell the owner, present clear evidence of what is happening, and who is doing it, including evidence that it wasn't you. If you could record that conversation, do so.

Joeboard · 2018-11-10T10:41:49+00:00

First of all, what do you mean "trying to leave"? No one is forcing you to work there.

This is a good opportunity for blackmail.

terminaldoubt · 2018-11-10T00:54:10+00:00

Blackmail the boss

MrAgamemnon · 2018-11-09T22:12:13+00:00

What do you have to gain by blowing the whistle?

Probably nothing.

Document everything just to protect yourself and start looking for a new job.

Nothing good will come of this.

unique_leek_critique · 2018-11-10T01:44:40+00:00

I would report it to the owner. Just bring proof and as much documentation as you can. My general rule of thumb when approached with these work ethical scenarios is "how would I want to be treated" ... ie, if you were the owner, would you want someone to come forward? Yeah, you would.

Don't be "dramatic" when you tell the owner, stick to the facts, be non-emotional, just say you like working there and don't appreciate someone draining money from the company as you want the company to do well. Chances are you'll get promoted.

mounted2czarina · 2018-11-09T22:53:44+00:00

Maybe. But try to blackmail him first.

30aughtfool · 2018-11-09T22:39:41+00:00

Man, is it your company? Snitches get stitches. Stay in your lane.

Whodatunkit · 2018-11-10T01:21:00+00:00

When contemplating issues such as this. Ask yourself a few questions for THEIR point of view. So: 1. How would I defend myself against such allegations? (Sick family member, drug/alcohol issues, mental health problems, etc.) 2. I know you're not happy and want to leave this company. You are just being a spoil sport for the rest of us. Just hurry up and leave. 3. I've got contacts,this guy will never work again.

That's it. Good Luck!

[deleted] · 2018-11-11T18:58:23+00:00

Mind your business, snitches die. Nobody respects a brown nosing pansy whistleblower. Is he stealing your money? Exactly. Stop listening to these “red pill alphas” who are real life pussys who come to the Internet to figure out how to get laid.

Title	Should I be a whistle blower at work?
Author	golden_pikachu
Upvotes	56
Comments	49
Date	November 9, 2018 5:01 PM UTC (7 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/9vm5mx/should_i_be_a_whistle_blower_at_work/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/should-i-be-a-whistle-blower-at-work.53842 https://theredarchive.com/post/53842

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