Help with a w*rk related problem.

Pencil Thin (inactive) · October 18, 2005 11:59 am

I am hoping to get a little advice from anyone and everyone on what I should do. Here's the issue at hand. I am being asked to run a badge report (tracking of a person's in and outs for doors at our buildings) for an employee here at my company. These usually end up not so good for the person whos report is being pulled, and I just found out that this is going to be true in this case as well. The problem is I am good friends with the person who is going to be let go. I have no choice but to run the scan, but should I give this person a little heads up as to what is coming? I really hate to see him get blindsided, but I also don't want to get myself in trouble. What would you all do? HELP!

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » October 18, 2005 12:01 pm

If it's really a good friend, tell him what's going on, and ask him to keep the information to himself.

mings · Post by **mings** » October 18, 2005 12:02 pm

I don't see a problem in letting your friend know. If they have a problem with you running the report, then they're not as valuable a friend as you'd like anyway. I'm sure the friend wouldn't mind the head's up, if for nothing else, allowing him the extra time to get a resume together. Just approach it out of concern for his position.

Good luck.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » October 18, 2005 12:03 pm

Oh man. That's a tough one. ((Sean))

If it won't endanger your job, then I'd have a heart-to-heart with your pal and let him know. Hopefully he's a good enough friend to keep it in confidence. In my experience, people who are having trouble like that at work generally know it's coming, so hopefully he won't be altogether blindsided if he is let go.

Maybe I'm just way off base. I'd definitely want to give my friend a heads-up, but'd be real hard for me to put my job at risk (as I post on company time).

What is it about tracking his badge access that is so important? Maybe it's just my own curiosity.

comemonday · Post by **comemonday** » October 18, 2005 12:03 pm

Assuming that the scan is on their HISTORY of comings and goings, I wouldn't say anything--since there's nothing he/she can do about it now, and it could only get you in trouble. But if they want to know what they're up to (ie) daily for the next week..... I'd give them the heads up.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » October 18, 2005 12:05 pm

I am going to give you my Human Resources point of view.

If you violate confidences by telling him.... you are a sitting duck for termination! Your job requires you to know things for managers to "build their cases"... you cannot tell your friend w/o NOT doing your job.... I dont care who he says he "wont tell"....

Now... your friend must know he has been doing something wrong...so getting fired shouldnt come as a too big surprise...

Its a hard situation...but if you value your job...keep you lips sealed... and support your friend AFTER when he really needs you.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » October 18, 2005 12:10 pm

say nothing.... this is a company disciplinary action. you need to do your job and keep your nose out of it. if you say something and your boss finds out, the company may consider disciplinary action against you for jeopardizing/interfering with the "situation"involving your friend......

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » October 18, 2005 12:15 pm

buffettbride wrote:What is it about tracking his badge access that is so important? Maybe it's just my own curiosity.

that's an easy one....

he's not in the building working when he's supposed to be. easiest way to terminate someone. can't argue with the building's security logs. next in line is fraudently filing padded expense reports.....

Pencil Thin (inactive) · October 18, 2005 12:17 pm

comemonday wrote:Assuming that the scan is on their HISTORY of comings and goings, I wouldn't say anything--since there's nothing he/she can do about it now, and it could only get you in trouble. But if they want to know what they're up to (ie) daily for the next week..... I'd give them the heads up.

It is on their history of comings and goings. This usually isn't ground for termination all by itself. Like Topless said, I just think this is the final piece of HR's "building their case" against him. I wish there was a case where I knew I could warn him to shape up and he could get back in good graces, but I pretty much know it's a done deal

At this point, I'm thinking I should just keep quiet about it...even though that really S*CKS!

Thanks for the input everyone. I will let you all know how it turns out.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » October 18, 2005 12:19 pm

Pencil Thin wrote: At this point, I'm thinking I should just keep quiet about it...even though that really S*CKS!

Good idea!

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » October 18, 2005 12:24 pm

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:
buffettbride wrote:What is it about tracking his badge access that is so important? Maybe it's just my own curiosity.
that's an easy one....

he's not in the building working when he's supposed to be. easiest way to terminate someone. can't argue with the building's security logs. next in line is fraudently filing padded expense reports.....

gotcha.

Jodibug · Post by **Jodibug** » October 18, 2005 12:42 pm

From past experience, gotta keep personal and professional separate. Bummer about the situation

The Lost Manatee · Post by **The Lost Manatee** » October 18, 2005 3:19 pm

I would say don't say a word because of the professional ramifications. Basically you are in a position of trust and if it gets out that you have violated that trust, you won't be there long.

thegoatgod · Post by **thegoatgod** » October 18, 2005 3:32 pm

gimmie his number ill call him and tell him

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » October 18, 2005 3:36 pm

thegoatgod wrote:gimmie his number ill call him and tell him

now that is funny!!!

El mojito · Post by **El mojito** » October 18, 2005 3:45 pm

Keep friendship and work separated - if need be talk to the HR department and let them know your problem other wise youl will lose a friendship

3/4 Time · Post by **3/4 Time** » October 18, 2005 6:46 pm

Too late on this one but I concur with everyone else that said NO-WAY.

No matter how good of friend they are, it is too tough for them not to react and get you in trouble or fired.

My company has 1,000 + employees, I work with HR weekly and I have been there. It sucks, but that is the only way to go. Have seen it bite peers in the rear too many times.

pamesoo · Post by **pamesoo** » October 18, 2005 6:51 pm

Jodibug wrote:From past experience, gotta keep personal and professional separate. Bummer about the situation

Absolutely right! Your heart says one thing and your head says another. Better go with your head on this one!