Post # 1
Member
306 posts
Helper bee
Bees it’s late and I can’t sleep, because my boss came to me and another employee and in not so many words told us that we have to start adding things to peoples bills, because they would be none the wiser and it means more money for the company. I’m sorry that’s just wrong in my eyes. I’m an honest person, and I can’t see myself knowingly misleading a client into paying more, just to compete with another store in our company whose sales are higher due to the fact they lie to their clients…
Its my job to ensure the client is happy. I can’t stand there with a big fake smile and rip them off. I’m sooooooooo mad about this and I feel that I might just up and quit tomorrow if thats what they’ll have me do.
What would you guys do in this situation?
Post # 3
Member
2651 posts
Sugar bee
You could call the BBB I’m pretty sure it’s confidential and I am super positive that its illegal.
Post # 4
Member
1254 posts
Bumble bee
@DuckyPDuckerson: Hmm, I would be disinclined to quit at this stage if I did not have anything else to go to in this economy. I would not add the additional charges (of course) and if he brings it up again tell him that is not something you would be comfortable doing and if he continues to force the issue advise that you will take the issue higher? Or take it higher straight away maybe, people should not be able to get away with this sort of thing.
Post # 5
Member
1162 posts
Bumble bee
@DuckyPDuckerson: Ive had a horrible boss who’s asked me to lie before. I wish I had had more guts then, but my coworkers finally convinced me to go in and discuss it with him, and when he got defensive I seemingly gave in. Three weeks later I was gone.
I cannot lie to people or rip them off on purpose. My principles mean more to me than my job.
HOWEVER on the flip side, how important is your job to you? Can you survive financially without it? Are you willing to take that leap? Because I would decide what you are willing and unwilling to do before you confront your boss and possibly get mad and make a bad decision.
Good luck OP 🙂
Post # 6
Member
306 posts
Helper bee
@imalittlebirdie: That’s actually not a bad idea!
@Lollybags: I plan to talk with my assitant manager tomorrow since she’s been with the company for many many years, and our store manger hasn’t been there very long. I’m just worried that with my talking to another manger costing me my job. I’m a really great employee, all my mangers agree, but I think this is really serious.
Post # 7
Member
1254 posts
Bumble bee
@DuckyPDuckerson: Does your state have unfair dismissal laws? Arm yourself with some information about that before you go in if you have concerns – there is no doubt some helpline you can call like we have here in Australia to get some quick, free info.
Post # 8
Member
1262 posts
Bumble bee
@DuckyPDuckerson: Woah. This is very uncomfortable. I do not think I could bring myself to do it. In my experience I have been asked to do something unethical. I had to push back. Honestly, I did not feel my job was in jeopardy (so this is kind of different). However, I feel it is better to get in trouble for doing the right thing than to be in trouble for doing wrong.
Post # 9
Member
9000 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
Keep in mind that the BBB is just a mediator. They cannot force a company to do anything or stop doing things. If it were me, I’d go above your supervisor.
Post # 10
Member
306 posts
Helper bee
@Lollybags: Ms.Lollybags you are on to something! I just googled unfair dismissal laws for my state and came up with consumer protection, since our prices are listed online we have to stand by them.
Post # 11
Member
7872 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@DuckyPDuckerson: If it gets found out, then guess who is going to be legally responsible? Almost certainly: you! Because you’re the one who did it, and there is no record of your boss telling you to do it.
So whatever you do, do not do something illegal or unethical.
Me, I would probably take the method of least resistance and refuse to comply. Like that scene at the start of The Incredibles, where Bob (Mr. Incredible) is helping his clients against his boss’ wishes.
Post # 12
Member
306 posts
Helper bee
@paula1248: That’s what I’m going to do. I actually talked to the other employees in our salon and apparently the boss has been pushing us to do this for awhile and we’ve all agreed that we wont do that to our clients, because its not right. There’s too many of us to try to bully into doing the wrong thing.
Post # 13
Member
1640 posts
Bumble bee
@DuckyPDuckerson: Does your company have a whistleblower line? Call it, if there is one.
Post # 14
Member
12257 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
Thank goodness your co-workers are standing strong with you!
Post # 15
Member
1116 posts
Bumble bee
Can you report it to HR or are you in a very small company? Our company has outlets (so to speak) if we are faced with anything like this. There are contacts that we are told to call or notify of the situation and it will be investigated. However, I work for big company and I know not all companies have these types of things built in.
Post # 16
Member
117 posts
Blushing bee
@sn2bmrsmntgmry: This
and
@DuckyPDuckerson: If you the company lets you go after reporting the request for illegal action, you have grounds to sue the company for wrongful dismissal. I am currently in grad school for business and within the last few months have read several cases of employee’s suing and winning their cases in instances similar to this. Don’t let them bully you into doing something illegal.
