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Using Documents from Previous Company 1

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controlnovice

Electrical
Jul 28, 2004
975
US
We hired a engineer about 1 year ago.

I was just working with him overseas and the overseas engineering company.

When discussing layouts, etc., he opened several drawings from his previous employer (using a CAD program on his laptop), and said, "do it like this". I do not know if he gave or sent these drawings to them, but they definately discussed the drawings on display.

Do I bring this up to our management?

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This is normally the space where people post something insightful.
 
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thread765-189877

Not exactly the same situation but pretty similar.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
 
controlnovice,

You do not mention who you and he report to.

If he reports to you, I would suggest you need to deal with it.

If he reports to the same boss as you, I would suggest you mention it to him that it may be inappropriate, and let him know you will need to mention it to your boss, without mentioning names, and then mention it to your boss that this is happening, without naming names. Give him the benefit of letting him know what you are going to do, and change.

If he reports to a different boss than you, I would suggest you mention it to your boss that you noticed something like this is happening, but maybe not name names.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
 
"Opened several drawings from his previous employer" indicates your immediate perception of the situation.

The drawings were actually done by whom?
The drawings were illustrating what?
The drawings were done to a specification and standard set by whom?
 
Cross-pollination is inevitable in engineering. That's why experienced engineers are in demand. Experienced engineers bring the details of operations in other companies. To make it too obvious is the problem. Your personal file should not be opened for all to see.
 
Assumption: He does not have permission to have a copy of these drawings.
Perhapse before bring this to management you should ask him if he feels the use of these drawings is ethical, or appropiate.
Would it be any better if the drawings in question held the came content but bore no company logo?
 
I have a Library file that I keep dwg.s & details I generated from a number of jobs I have been on for the last 10 yr.s, or information that I found useful from other designers. I use this library just about every time I start a new project to detail out the various piping details I get involved in. Rarely do I not have to change something in these file to more correctly fit the project parameters. NOW if this was propriority information of one of a kind equipment or process, you "might" have something to worry about. BUT if this another way to put vendor supplied equipment together, then the guy is saving you time and money, and I won't be in such a hurry to bury that ax, you seem to be carrying, in his back.
 
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