Posted by Fran Wilson - Deferred on 10 November 2000 at 21:47:54:
In Reply to: Why not put everything on the table posted by e.m.ployee on 09 November 2000 at 01:09:09:
Dear e.m.ployee
I recall from my IBM career, what seems an age ago now (1), that IBM
employees had a great sense of what was proper but perhaps not
what to do when things weren't proper.
Don't take this the wrong way but I think you have to be outside
to see reality. IBM employees always looked to the Company to
do what as right. It seems that the "IBM Government and Judiciary"
have, for many in IBM, gone and a void left. That's how I sense
your position. "What am I to do? What is the right approach? Who
can I trust?"
The only good news is that this type of problem is not
unique to you. Thousands go through it every year in Britain.
I now have a second career counselling people in precisely your
situation. The loyal employee will always uphold the Company.
The question is a what point does a lifelong loyal employee wake
up? At what point does she/he say the Company is wrong? At what
point does she/he say .. it doesn't make sense anymore .. at what
point do they return to trusting their own judgment? It is not
easy.
I deal with that every day. The human cost is enormous. I've
never met any employee in a crisis situation involving
their employer who wasn't devastated. You must be
aware of the statistics. You know the divorce statistics...
Moving house, moving job, death in the family etc... So what you
are talking about is right at the top of the stress scale.
As an employee you probably wouldn't believe the character, sheer
professionalism and ability to bear pain that taking on an
employer involves. Most of my cases are nothing compared to what
you are talking about. But I have seen similar. Expect IBM like
others to trade on that pressure. Expect them to use every human
weakness to gain an advantage. That's the way these battles take
place.
A classic tactic is to find a weak employee a few years
from retirement and make them work for the company by
infiltrating those who, at great risk to themselves, are trying
to expose wrong doing. How do Companies manipulate people?
Enhanced reitement packages, lucrative "consultancy" in
retirement, a move to Cornwall for example just before retirement
... I've seen a few. You can do it lots of ways if the people
are weak enough. Then of course there are some people who are
just obsequious. Those who love their colleagues yet will betray
them and then secretly hate themselves for it. It is a recognised
condition manifesting itself in a few unfortunates who have
often underperformed in relation to siblings. So make no mistake,
the moment you enter the World of employer confrontation then
your life changes.
But those who do speak out are different. It is not for us others
to judge them. Either the information is valuable or it is not.
I've learnt not to even question their motivation, let alone
attempt to judge it. The only thing that is important is did they
act? Few people act. Be grateful for them because they are truly
the honourable ones.
I should also say that it is totally naive to except public posting
of all material - any Company would love it. Still, as here,
enough has got around to warn many of a huge problem. In case
you are in any doubt IBM's legal department will no doubt tell
you that those bringing cases to the Ombudsman should not post
everything. That's plain rude if not contemptuous ... as you say
the Ombudsman is there for just this case. If you want his judgment
then you should respect his power to decide. Where this Group
comes in is to support those applications and bring pressure to
bear thereafter should it be necessary.
Everyone here will learn a great deal form this experience.