Massive Software piracy issue in the workplace, and I’m stuck choosing between compliance or termination!?

Over the course of the last 5 years I have worked for a small shipping/packing supplies company as an IT Technician. I have been asked numerous times to install software that my boss is (intentionally and knowingly) either obtaining from illegal sources (in which case he gets a huge discount and can install it on as many computers as he wants) or overusing his license agreements with his software. After surveying the plant, I found over 30 instances of Microsoft Office, 8 of Filemaker, 15 of WASP Labelor and Barcode software, 2 instances of Adobe Illustrator, and at least 30 of Symantec AntiVirus that were either pirated outright, obtained from illegal sources, or installed numerous times on a 1 user license agreement. I have complied and installed these programs (knowingly) because I needed to keep my job, but now I’m looking at the mess we made and wondering what would happen to this place if my boss were to get caught.

If I was the one to turn him in, would that exemplify me from my part in this or would I still be held accountable?

Tags: between, choosing, compliance, issue, Massive, piracy, Software, stuck, termination, workplace

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4 Comments for Massive Software piracy issue in the workplace, and I’m stuck choosing between compliance or termination!?

1. Buddha | November 20th, 2010 at 9:13 am

If you turned in your employer and alerted whoever to the situation I don’t think you would be in trouble, your the one who made it know someone was breaking the law so I would think they would appreciate the help.
2. Phlll | November 20th, 2010 at 10:04 am

Not only would you be held accountable by your employer, when you tried to move on in the future and a new employer called these guys to find out about you, this employer could totally hose you.
3. The Phlebob | November 20th, 2010 at 10:20 am

I’d say your conscience is bothering you. Consider this: Any harm done to other workers if you turn the company in isn’t your fault — it’s the fault of the owner’s original actions.

As to your culpability, you may be able to cut a whistle-blower deal for yourself.

Good luck.
4. comtech391 | November 20th, 2010 at 10:32 am

Still be held accountable, you knew it wasn’t legal, yet you choose to install it just for the sake of keeping your employment. I don’t think you have any way to prove that your Boss made you install the software though threats and intimidation’s. Professional IT Technicians do not put themselves in this kind of position. This is a situation that would require Legal Consultation to know where you would stand or fall.

Massive Software piracy issue in the workplace, and I’m stuck choosing between compliance or termination!?

4 Comments for Massive Software piracy issue in the workplace, and I’m stuck choosing between compliance or termination!?

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