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July 24, 2019 at 10:05 pm #999645Up::0
One rule to success is apparently “never tell everything you know”. If you know something in an accounting program at work that will be able to assist the process, should you share it with the team? Or should you keep it to yourself and maybe go to the boss and only share it if you can have a pay rise?
What I’m asking, I guess, is if you see something in a program that no one else has spotted, and you think it can make a difference, are you contractually obligated to share it? What do most employment contracts say? Can you withhold a “trade secret” and use it as ammunition for a pay rise?
July 25, 2019 at 12:08 am #1220631Up::0Improving processes at work happens all the time. If your firm paid you for the time it took you to deduct that there is a problem, then generally, the firm would expect you to let them know about the problem.
In my experience, asking for a pay rise for that information would generally do you more harm than anything else.
July 25, 2019 at 1:13 am #1220632Up::0no one is going to pay the person holding them hostage. because essentially you noticed a problem did not report it and now holding them ransom to fix the issue. this is not how you nagoitate.
second if you used any of the work computers to isolate and resolve the issue or install other items onto the PC they own it anyway.
July 25, 2019 at 2:50 am #1220633Up::0Soccerooplugger, post: 266445, member: 100555 wrote:Can you withhold a “trade secret” and use it as ammunition for a pay rise?Sounds like blackmail to me. What happened to ethics as an employee, employer or business owner. Sorry questions like this make me just think there are people just looking for money. Oh thats right you are.
July 25, 2019 at 3:05 am #1220634Up::0on a side note. you have been previously asking about a pay rise I think a year ago? seem to have a few issues in home and work. or at least that is what your post history shows but this is a forum for “flying solo” so why have you yet to take the plunge and work for yourself.
taken a new job or try a new career in this time instead of trying to force the hand that feeds you to offer more why not improve yourself
July 25, 2019 at 4:58 am #1220635Up::0Soccerooplugger, post: 266445, member: 100555 wrote:One rule to success is apparently “never tell everything you know”. If you know something in an accounting program at work that will be able to assist the process, should you share it with the team? Or should you keep it to yourself and maybe go to the boss and only share it if you can have a pay rise?What I’m asking, I guess, is if you see something in a program that no one else has spotted, and you think it can make a difference, are you contractually obligated to share it? What do most employment contracts say? Can you withhold a “trade secret” and use it as ammunition for a pay rise?
Ok, i am not sure how to tackle this post.. it is intriguing, and i think for all the wrong reasons…
Initially, i thought YEP, i agree to ‘one rule to success is apparently ‘never tell everything you know’ and then i read it was related to an employer/employee relationship.. Nope, this does not apply and as other respondents have eluded to – its near on blackmail. In fact, if it were to come out, i would assume that it would also be merit for a formal warning or even a dismissal – if not, it would certainly bring forth a level of disdain between your superiors and also bring into the fold a level of distrust of you and if they could actually feel comfortable you were even wanting to perform in your task.
Being employed, you would generally find most contracts would make all and any equipment you use or learn to use is the property of the employer. This would also include the knowledge you have gained about the flaw or the identified solution you have come to the conclusion of whilst using THEIR program.
As an ethical employee, top of mind should always be how can i improve my bosses processes and my role. How can i be more efficient and how can i be a positive role model within the company. This is not brainwashing, you are being paid to do a job and therefor your experiences are coming from this position.
It sounds like there is more to this situation, like baggage or a grudge maybe against the boss.. or company… Personally, i am not that easy to get along with and always work best on my own or as the boss (that sounds horrendous, i know and apologise) and cant explain why… But, and i dislike that word, even in my past lives if i seen a possible solution or break through process or opportunity i felt bound and proud (yes proud) to offer these insights up to those that need to see them. This, in hindsight, has taken me on a journey i do not believe i would have ever had the opportunity to undertake or do should i have decided to hold these close to my chest in spite. Its the sharing of my knowledge that has taken me around the world at my employers expense, put me in the corporate box at final season in several sports and so forth. Sharing, will reward you more than being spiteful.. Which is how i read this..
Merely asking “What do most employment contracts say?”, is erring on the side of the line that you are preferring not to share or even want to share..
Or am i overlooking something..
Cheers
JasonJason Ramage | Lucas Arthur Pty Ltd | E: hello@lucasarthur.net.au P: 61 3 8324 0344 M: 61 412 244 888July 29, 2019 at 1:13 am #1220636Up::0I wouldn’t use it as a negotiating tool as that would be like blackmail. Can’t imagine your employer taking kindly to being held hostage.
businesstrade.com.au - buy or sell a businessJuly 29, 2019 at 9:27 am #1220637Up::0[USER=100555]@Soccerooplugger[/USER],
1: Share the secret and take a lead role in getting your colleagues up to speed.
2: Try to find 2 more similar secrets/tricks/improvements and share in the same way.
3: You will now be regarded as the go-to person for the software/process.This reputation for expertise (and being an educator and supporter of your peers) would likely position you as a leader, and give you a good argument for a payrise and more.
An alternative way to use your secrets, while everyone else is hiding theirs
DaveAugust 8, 2019 at 6:41 am #1220638Up::0“What I’m asking, I guess, is if you see something in a program that no one else has spotted, and you think it can make a difference, are you contractually obligated to share it? What do most employment contracts say? Can you withhold a “trade secret” and use it as ammunition for a pay rise?”
Are you contractually obligated – well, that’s going to depend on your contract, but likely it could also be implied yes as an employee. I would imagine most contracts have a clause of sorts that requires the employee to act in best interest of the employer’s business at all times.. which would arguably include letting management/boss/relevant person of any problems or areas of that nature. Secondly, spotting something like this is not necessarily a ‘trade secret’. A trade secret falls under intellectual property (think, for example, the coca cola recipe) – so even if it was deemed a trade secret, likely your contract would have something in there that IP created by employee for and in the course of their employment is the employer’s property…
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