What to do when a boss is jeporadizing future of company 4

[engineersrule]

This is not specifically an engineering question, rather more of a business ethics question/delima,

I know someone who works for two businessmen. He is responsible for handling the operations of one of their many joint companies. They also have other companies separately.

It is beginning to look like one of the business owners is taking part in risky behavior. To give a general idea of the situation:

*Possibly having an affiar with one of the employess (businessman is married)
*That employee is known to "use" perscription drugs (not within the law) and possible some other non-prescription drugs (Mary J for example)
*That employee is in charge of hiring/firing other employees and has managed to hire many others with the same behavioral/addicticed vices
*Business owner having affair with said employee may also be using drugs
*Other business man does not seem to know anything is going on, but does not like said employee and believes employee may also be bending rules of company to make employee look more valuable to company

My friend values his job and does not want to quit. He also has a lot of respect for the other business owner who does not appear to know what is going on, and he used to respect the businessman who now appears to be engaging in the risky behavior. OH, and if all this doesn't sound like a soap opear already these two businessmen are also related by marriage (brothers in law).

Got any good adivce for my friend. He's considering talking to a lawyer to protect his job. He wants to do what's right for the company and for the businessman. He's the businessmen's "right hand man" so to speak. He's also considered the options of carefully confronting the one business man or letting the other know what he has learned.

The info seems to be coming from several sources so it looks like the worst is true.

 

[wes616]

A Great topic to post on forum765


This is a difficult situation. Basically, as an employee the best thing you can do is prepare. And prepare for the worst.

Being someone who lived through this (as the cause of the problem, not the solution) I offer only this. The situation will end badly for everyone involved. This includes the business. He should develop an exit strategy.

Don't do anything that could be construed as "going behind someones back".

Talking with the person (businessman #1) is a good idea, but be aware that there may be a negative reception to any discussion of this topic. This conversation will change the employee's relationship w/ the "boss" forever. Again BE PREPARED!....

I'm sorry to say it, but there is not much that can be done, except to prepare to leave, and leave if the opportunity is there.

I will think some more, and get back... Good luck.

Wes C.

 

[TheTick]

Your friend should be mindful of the fact that he is on the outside of two circles: owners and family.

He is not a principle in the company. There is a chance that his stepping in could be construed as "out-of-bounds" for his position, no matter how well he is valued.

The greater danger is in crossing family lines. Absolutely verboten in my book.

Tick's golden rule of business anthropology:

Bull$**t persists because it is allowed to persist.

Your friend likely won't be telling anyone anything they aren't already painfully aware of.

Best to quietly find a safe place to land. Also good to be seriously questioning why one is so attached to such dysfunction.

I could be the world's greatest underachiever, if I could just learn to apply myself.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

-SolidWorks API VB programming help

 

[MikeHalloran]

Your friend stands a decent chance of getting an equally good job if he gets out before the situation devolves to its inevitable ugly conclusion.

There is no upside to staying.

There is no upside to saying anything to anyone about the situation.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[epoisses]

What makes him think the other businessman is not aware of these things if they are partners and brothers in law? Don't get in between, let him prepare himself for an emergency escape.

I guess we all agree.

 

[Maui]

Quit - NOW.

Maui

Constants aren't; variables won't.

 

[BJC]

All of the behavior you described may not be bad for business. It may be discusting and imoral to you but businesses even countries have been run with such things going on.
Do you really know what's going on or just what you think you see.

 

[svanels]

Family mathers, let they sort it out themselves.

 

[templetonc]

Here is a crazy idea (and it realy is). Contact the good business man with Internet Phone Relay:

http://www.sprintrelayonline.com/index.htm

He won't know who you are. Don't tell him who you are. Just tell him just enough to start to look into the mater himself. If he ask why you called like this tell him you want anonymity.

 

[debodine]

Star to The Tick and to Mike Halloran...absolutely on target and the only truly viable option.

debodine

 

[mkinnes]

Protect yourself first in this situation.

Find another friend, *ahem* I mean company before you say a word to anyone. A high percentage of individuals can not be expected to do anything that benefits you. Upon hearing the bomb you drop in their lap start ticking many will unexpectedly throw it at you just prior to detonation.

 

[flamby]

Many times employee at subordinate position has no or little idea of bosses' job or resposibility, leave alone their capability of doing it. Make sure this is not the case here.

Ciao.

 

[dporte17]

Have your friend consider what will happen if the "trusted" boss turns on him and they fire him for whatever reason that can be used. Is the risk of that consequence (which is not overly probable, although possible) outweight the negative outcome of him leaving on his own terms (or riding this out while he develops other options)

D