Ethical Issue

[other one]

Why don't you just go ahead and work, but don't break the law. If there is overtime that is posted just don't pay it. Let them take care of it when they get back, and if they ask how you know then tell them you checked with the IRS.

Who knows..... sometimes christians can get the attention of people and let them see the error of their ways

I would tell them ahead of time that you are not going to break any labor or irs laws while they are gone.

[Christ's Free Servant]

Honestly I think you should just get out today.  but that is only my opinion.  But bear in mind that I almost universally have advised all employees to always give a two week notice.  If I am interviewing an applicant I expect them to give their employers a two week notice, so I do not take this lightly, I think this is one you should run from, get away from it, it is only poison.  I will pray for you Sue, and do whatever God is calling you to do!

God Bless,

Kansas Dad

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wrote up a letter of resignation and discussed it with my husband over dinner, and he made the statement that if an employee were to be caught in illegal activity, he would be immediately dismissed, so shouldn't I have the same attitude about that for my employer? My husband and I both agree that I should tender my resignation effective immediately. Truly I don't think they would want me working for them after I tell them who all I contacted about this anyway. If they still wanted me to run their business for them, hand me keys to their building, etc. after I tell them who all I contacted and how I feel about their business practices, then I would be seriously concerned about them and their interest in their business. If I were them, I would not want me working for them any longer.

Thanks everyone for your prayers and your advice. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Christ's Free Servant]

Well, I did the deed. I e-mailed them my letter of resignation effective immediately. That was a tough one! I still have to go to the office to return their stuff and to pick up my stuff and to turn in my time sheet, so pray that it goes well, ok? I hate stuff like this, but I know God has allowed it for my strengthening.

I'm not concerned about looking for another job. We are in the process of a move and we have a ministry out of our home that keeps me pretty busy. My husband makes more than enough to meet our needs. My income is just gravy. We'll get moved and then see what the Lord has for me next.

Again, thanks for all your advice and most of all for your prayers. Keep them coming!!

[Trust & Obey]

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

[Work in Progress]

Wow, this is really tough. I'm sorry you are in such a position.

I wouldn't make any rash decisions. Especially keep in mind your credibility - you will probably end up looking for another job and you don't want your resume to say you walked off another job with no notice.

Don't list this company as a reference on your resume. Simple.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's not that simple. First of all, gaps of time on your resume does not look good and will be questions. What does she do when asked if she worked during that period? And with her social security number, her prospective employer will soon know she worked there and can call for a reference. As soon as they hear she walked out with no notice, she has no credibility. It doesn't matter that she had "good reason" - what's two weeks compared to credibility and integrity and showing that you do the right thing in spite of how hard it was for you? I guess it's a moot point now though.

I hope all works well for you CFS - I'll pray that they don't give you a hard time when you go in - chin up!

[Christ's Free Servant]

It's not that simple. First of all, gaps of time on your resume does not look good and will be questions. What does she do when asked if she worked during that period? And with her social security number, her prospective employer will soon know she worked there and can call for a reference. As soon as they hear she walked out with no notice, she has no credibility. It doesn't matter that she had "good reason" - what's two weeks compared to credibility and integrity and showing that you do the right thing in spite of how hard it was for you?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have a good point, but... I e-mailed the letter to my boss and he called me after he read it. The thing is, though, that he still tried to lie to me to convince me that they were not doing anything illegal. He said that they do claim everything they pay their employees at the end of the year, both cash payments as well as checks, so I asked him if that meant he paid his portion of the SS and Fed Income Tax for those cash payments and he said, "no." Then he said that the employees claim it on their tax form at the end of the year and so I asked him if that meant they paid both his portion and their portion of the SS and Fed Income tax, and he said "no." You see, he kept lying to me, because he wants me to work for them while they go on vacation. Then, he went in to this whole thing about how they have always done it this way and everyone else does it that way and then he said, "well, I guess it is a LITTLE illegal."

So, what would Jesus do? Do you think Jesus would work for someone who was involved in illegal activity and who kept lying to him? If they had been honest and straightforward..., but that's the thing, they are very dishonest. So here lies my dilemma. Do I say, "ok," I'll work for you so you can go on vacation just because I agreed to give a two week notice? I'm not concerned about the employment history thing. I haven't worked outside the home for three years. The last job I had they fired me when I confronted my boss over something he was doing wrong (sexual harassment). Their answer was to just get rid of me and quickly, too, and that was a church secretary job.

I went back to school for the next couple of years and I took last semester off to decide what to do next. Volunteer work counts as continuous employment on my resume, because that is mostly what I've done. So, I will just list my volunteer work and not even mention that I worked for them. I was told by the job placement office at my college that I don't have to list any jobs that were three months or less, but if a future employer were to ask if I worked anywhere during that time I would certainly tell the truth. I will always tell the truth.

Anyway, I told the boss I would pray about it and would call him in the morning. So, please pray with me that God will direct me to do the RIGHT THING.

[Christ's Free Servant]

Surely they don't know that you went to the DOL and the IRS? I would think they wouldn't want you to be in charge if they knew that! 

Honestly, are they about to be audited by either? Are the field agents coming out? Or did you do it anonymously?

At any rate, I'd find another job. Now. Illegal is illegal.  If you're uncomfortable, it's probably the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks! Actually, I told them I contacted the DOL and the IRS and they still want me to work for them. Why? Because they have a vacation to Florida planned for next week and they don't have anyone else who can do the job for them while they are away. They don't seem to care that I have issues with the company or with them as long as I will babysit their company for them while they go away.

When I started this job, the VP (the woman of the couple) told me about the other women who had the job before me. All the ones she mentioned had quit without notice, including the last one, and one had turned them over to the DOL. So, they don't have a good track record. They don't seem to be able to retain employees in the office. The one who turned them over to the DOL did so because she felt they were asking her to do things that were illegal. Somehow they wiggled their way out of that one, though, and she probably ended up looking like the bad guy.

I did not give the name of the company to the people I spoke with over the phone and they did not ask. They just answered my questions. I did not give them my name, either, but if they have caller ID they have my name and phone #.

[Christ's Free Servant]

Sue, I understand your predicament.

First off: You don't "owe" anyone "notice" when you leave a company. It is a nice courtesy to offer, but it is not required. Ask yourself this... if they were to fire you do you think they would give you 2 weeks notice? Probably not.

Regarding the payroll thing... the company is trying to get out of paying Social Sercrurity, payroll, and other taxes (SSI, FICA, etc).

I would not be the crutch for this company while they are gone on business. Tell the lady who trained you that she needs to do payroll because you don't agree with the practice.

Regarding the freon issue. Just tell the person on the phone that you are not allowed to disclose pricing over the phone. That's straightforward, honest, and to the point. The customer is going to wonder "why" and will probably figure your company to be dishonest, which it is, but that is not a reflection on you.

Trust and honor God at work, like you are doing, and He will provide another job that is in keeping with godly principles.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for this advice. It is good advice. I know God is in control. He will always supply all that I need.

[Christ's Free Servant]

Honestly I think you should just get out today.  but that is only my opinion.  But bear in mind that I almost universally have advised all employees to always give a two week notice.  If I am interviewing an applicant I expect them to give their employers a two week notice, so I do not take this lightly, I think this is one you should run from, get away from it, it is only poison.  I will pray for you Sue, and do whatever God is calling you to do!

God Bless,

Kansas Dad

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Dad,

This is also good advice - everyone had good advice - thanks so much! I have always conducted myself as a professional and with integrity no matter where I have worked. I have always left jobs in much better condition than I found them, probably never turned in hours I did not work, work at a job with all my heart, go above and beyond the call of duty and lots of times donate time and effort. I have a white collar mentality about work even though I am paid hourly. And, I think I have always given a two-week notice, though there was one case where I did not fulfill the two week notice due to circumstances beyond my control. I try to always do the right thing. But, I feel like I'm torn between two right things and have to choose which one is more right. I feel God is telling me to get out, so I think I will hold to that unless the Lord shows me between now and 10 AM tomorrow when I'm supposed to report to work that I am not hearing him correctly, but I think I am.

[Christ's Free Servant]

Advice From Friends - a summary of what you all told me - thanks so much!

Go with what your heart is telling you to do. Leave your worries up to the Big Man!

They have breached the agreement, and you are no longer obligated to an agreement they have violated.

This is not a company you want to work for.

Sorry that they are counting on you while they go on vacation, but it's hard to have sympathy for cheaters.

At any rate, I'd find another job. Now. Illegal is illegal. If you're uncomfortable, it's probably the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I would not be the crutch for this company while they are gone on business.

Trust and honor God at work, like you are doing, and He will provide another job that is in keeping with godly principles.

Honestly I think you should just get out today.

I think this is one you should run from, get away from it, it is only poison. I will pray for you Sue, and do whatever God is calling you to do!

Who knows... sometimes Christians can get the attention of people and let them see the error of their ways.

I would tell them ahead of time that you are not going to break any labor or IRS laws while they are gone.

I hope all works well for you CFS - I'll pray that they don't give you a hard time when you go in - chin up!