Ethical Question

[trashy]

I've been away from the board for a bit of time, but I came across something that I thought that I would post here and see what some of you think.

A person is working in the IT profession, and goes to the owner of the company with a legitimate concern.  It seems that copies of software are installed on multiple computers using the same licensing key.  It's pretty obvious that the company is basically pirating the software.  This includes high end programs as well as shareware programs (think Winzip).  The owner of the company basically "brushes off" the IT guy.

What do you do?

[SaintSatinStain]

!. Don't go to the owner, and secretly report the violations to the vendors involved

OR

2. Go to the owner, tell her or him, but if they don't do the right thing, report the violations and submit your resignation.

I'd do the first.

[IH8U]

Something to consider, when a company purchases a license for software, many times you pay for seats and not individual licenses. So I have purchased a 50 seat license for a product and have the same serial for 50 computers I am allowed to use the product on. It would be nearly impossible to keep track of 50 different licenses.

I won't give any opinions on what one should or shouldn't due because I am not in the situation and I don't know all the facts. 

[Spawn]

*Not worth it...

[couttsj]

I've been away from the board for a bit of time, but I came across something that I thought that I would post here and see what some of you think.

A person is working in the IT profession, and goes to the owner of the company with a legitimate concern.  It seems that copies of software are installed on multiple computers using the same licensing key.  It's pretty obvious that the company is basically pirating the software.  This includes high end programs as well as shareware programs (think Winzip).  The owner of the company basically "brushes off" the IT guy.

What do you do?

Basically nothing. It is not his problem or responsibility unless the owner asks him to participate. I doubt very much that the IT guy will find it in his job description.

J.A. Coutts

[Dolphin]

First, am I the "Head" IT guy.  If so, then I should know what is going on with all my systems and their software.  This being the case, if I come across suspect software, then I would notify the company owner.  If he brushes me off, then it's time for me to look for a new job....one that will not cause me to be put in a compromising position and possibly be fined or sent to jail.

Now, if I'm not the "Head" IT guy, I would go to my supervisor first.  He should be able to resolve my questions about the suspect software.  As was said above, it may be on a "so many seats" license.

If however, my supervisor tells me to keep quiet, then I'm sorry, next step....the owner and my first action above applies.

But....thankfully, I'm retired and having fun spending my kids inheritance and don't have to worry about things like this.   

Now go have a great day.

Bill

[Spawn]

*Not worth it...

[dahermit]

Being an ardent observer of business behaviors(with a Master's degree in Training in Business and Industry), it has been my observation that:
1) Such unethical behaviors (pirating software) are common in business and industry.
2) If it is pointed out to superiors, it is not welcomed information (they would rather not know, so they can maintain that they did not know) if caught.  They will resent you for taking away their protection of ignorance.
3) If you report it to the publisher and the publisher does something about it, your superior will know who likely informed.
4) People who bring up such issues are not likely to be rewarded for doing so and in fact are more likely to be punished.
5) If you quit your job over this issue, the next company you work for is likely to have transgressions of ethics also (I have never worked for an entity that did not bend ethics for their own gain), and you will be continually quiting jobs looking for a company that is 100% honest and ethical...They do not exist.
If this sounds cynical, it has resulted from my experiences in several businesses and in education.  I have never been involved with a company that did not have ethical issues. You have the choice: Do the honest thing, or be employed.

[couttsj]

If this sounds cynical, it has resulted from my experiences in several businesses and in education.  I have never been involved with a company that did not have ethical issues. You have the choice: Do the honest thing, or be employed.

You hit the nail on the head. My experience exactly.

J.A. Coutts

[Spawn]

*Not worth it...

[dahermit]

Quote from: dahermit on Yesterday at 10:37:38 am
Being an ardent observer of business behaviors(with a Master's degree in Training in Business and Industry), it has been my observation that:
1) Such unethical behaviors (pirating software) are common in business and industry.
2) If it is pointed out to superiors, it is not welcomed information (they would rather not know, so they can maintain that they did not know) if caught.  They will resent you for taking away their protection of ignorance.
3) If you report it to the publisher and the publisher does something about it, your superior will know who likely informed.
4) People who bring up such issues are not likely to be rewarded for doing so and in fact are more likely to be punished.
5) If you quit your job over this issue, the next company you work for is likely to have transgressions of ethics also (I have never worked for an entity that did not bend ethics for their own gain), and you will be continually quiting jobs looking for a company that is 100% honest and ethical...They do not exist.
If this sounds cynical, it has resulted from my experiences in several businesses and in education.  I have never been involved with a company that did not have ethical issues. You have the choice: Do the honest thing, or be employed.

I began my working career in the military, but I have worked in education and business for a long time (I have a Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, and a PhD in Criminology), and  I don't think your statement is cynical...you are basing it on your experience.  Great.  My experience is that while there are always going to be unethical people in the workplace, and even unethical businesses, doing the right thing always results in a better outcome personally, and in most cases professionally.  I have had to buck the system before...it's not easy, but I wasn't fired, and I gained a lot of respect that is still shared by all of those around me.  It does come down to a choice: Be able to live with yourself or not.

The bottom line is what type of person you want to be.  Obviously, you and another here have made your choice.  No insult meant, but I am very thankful that I don't work with either of you.

  Yes, there was an insult meant.  You missed the major point.  The entity doing the unethical things was the employer/managers/supervisors.  I have always tried to do the ethical thing because it is the right thing to do.  But employees have little or no power.  Even though there are laws than have been enacted (in recent history) to protect whistle blowers, if you follow their lives after doing the "right thing" in almost all the celebrated instances, the whistle blower ended up worse off.  For someone like me there is no grey...it is either right or wrong.  But, I have found that businesses and other large entities do not see in black or white, right or wrong, and can justify almost anything to perpetuate the entities agenda.  I have lost jobs because of my willingness to speak out.  I have quite jobs because of the disillusionment that comes with the loss of naivety.  But, sooner or latter one must decide, do as the boss says or see your wife and kids go hungry.  Therefore, I resent your statement that: "No insult intended, but would not want to work with you [me]...".  I have lost enough jobs interceding on behalf of others and what is right.  It is not like I have stood around all my life oblivious to corporate ethical transgressions; and I can give specific examples if you wish, of lost jobs because I opened my mouth.  You carry the burden for awhile.  I have paid too high a price for being an advocate for ethical corporate behavior.

[Spawn]

*Not worth it...

[FLATLINE]

Lesson to be learned. No good deed goes unpunished. This is why i refrain from participating in threads like this. Some people just dont have the maturity level to participate without insulting someone.

[Spawn]

*Not worth it...

[couttsj]

To set the record straight, I have no experience  as an employee with regards to this particular item. All my experience is as a contractor. On numerous occasions, when asked to install or repair illegal software, I have had to decline on ethical grounds. But if I had foolishly taken steps to report every transgression that I witnessed, I would not have had any clients left, and I would have been out of business.

J.A. Coutts