I work for a small company. Part of my job is to handle freight, occasionally the freight gets damaged. When this happens we have to file a damage claim to the freight company. I was asked by my boss (the owner of the company) to lie on the form which would give us more money. This really has me up sett because I'm an honest person. I am also pretty sure that he along with his secretary are trying to hide income in the company, it is his company, and I don't think it's a large amount, it would benefit him with taxes & He & his wife are getting divorce and is trying to play down the company so that he can give her less money. I have had enough in this situation and am going to look for another job. I don't think that it is right for someone who is honest to loose their job over this. My husband also works there & this will be all of our income. Can I sue him for trying to make me lie? Should I tell his ex wife? If I can and decide to sue him should I try to catch him on tape?
2006-09-09 10:57:25 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
There are only 8 employees. The actual owner of the company is who I'm talking about. What are the laws? (This is a corporation in the United States)
2006-09-09 10:58:36 · update #1
What steps do I need/should I take. Thanks!!
2006-09-09 11:00:30 · update #2
I haven't falsified any records. His assistant has. I just learned about this on Friday.
P.S. He's not claiming extra income, it's the opposite. The less income he claims the less taxes he has to pay, the less he has to pay his wife...
2006-09-09 11:30:51 · update #3
I only asked about taking him to court because I feel so helpless. I am going to loose my job over being honest and I'm suppose to go down without a fight? This is my livelyhood, I've waisted 3 years at this job for it to end up this way?? Am I just suppose to suck it up? It just seems greatly unfair - and like either way he wins.
2006-09-09 11:34:35 · update #4
Well if you feel so strongly about this situation I think that you should leave. But don't do it until you find a new job so that you don't suffer with the lack of income. I don't think you should tell his wife anything. That will only make the matter worse 'cause then you will be in the middle of it. Try not to leave on bad terms from that job if you need the references from that job for the next employment. You can always make an anonymous complain. Call your local office for the better business bureau or consumer affairs or they can tell you where you can report it so that they can investigate that company.
2006-09-09 11:08:42 · answer #1 · answered by hilda c 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Somewhere in the front office is a peice of paper called, "Certificate of Occupancy". This document says that this business is registered and has authority to do business in that state. If you want to report him,get the name of the actual owner,your bosses name and contact the State Attorney General's Office-Consumer Affairs Division,and the Office of the State Comptroller. Also contact IRS for falsifying tax records.
Tell them all what is going on and see how fast they deal with him.
2006-09-09 18:04:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You and your husband should both look for other jobs elsewhere. If you lie on the books, you could potentially find yourself in court. If it's your signature stating that the value was x dollars, then you are the one that is responsible. It would be your word against your bosses if you stated that he told you to.
This man is dishonest. He is asking you to do a dishonest, fraudulant thing. Know that next time, he could be asking your husband to do something fraudulant. If you were brought to court for deceptive record keeping, would you trust him to step forward and tell the truth that he was the one that ordered the value to be lied about? I wouldn't. He's already proven himself to be a dishonest person.
I'd get out of the situation as soon as I could.
This isn't worth you trying to play detective and get something on tape or sueing. Just get out of the situation. It won't be the only time he asks you do do his evil biddings for him.
2006-09-09 18:03:29 · answer #3 · answered by BAM 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Suggestion. First, go to your local Wage and Hour office and file a complaint with them stating your bosses request to lie on the damage claim form. Then, go to your boss and tell him you won't lie for him and thats not part of your job. If he fires you then you can go back to the Wage and Hour board and advise them you have been fired over the request to lie which you originally made the complaint about. This way you will be eligible for unemployment benefits as well as having laid a foundation for a possible discrimatory practices suit.
2006-09-09 18:01:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you complete the damaged freight paperwork, ask your boss (the owner) to sign it. This will put the responsibility where it belongs...with him.
You and your husband need to start looking for another job pronto.
Your bosses divorce is none of your business. If you discuss company business with his soon-to-be-ex, it will only get you deeper buried in a ugly, complicated situation.
Why the hell do you feel the need to sue him? You're responsible for your own actions. Sounds like you're in this for a little self-gain too.
2006-09-09 18:26:20 · answer #5 · answered by Jody B. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't lie. Do your job when faced with this issue prepare all the information on a seperate paper hand it to him and let him fill out the damage form. You are in a no win situation. Look for another job soon.
2006-09-09 18:05:59 · answer #6 · answered by Tom S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your boss is committing a crime and you are helping him by doing what he asks. By making his company look more profitable and saving on taxes, he can get into major trouble with the IRS. You should definitely look for another job because if he gets caught, you would get in trouble with him for falsifying documents. Plus he did not threaten you so you really would not have a valid reason to do what he asked. I mean he can not fire you for saying no because he was asking you do something illegal. You could discreetly report him to the IRS or local authorities and they would start investigating him to see what exactly is going on.
2006-09-09 18:20:23 · answer #7 · answered by TLC 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i was in a similar situation, where the "owner" (who was really an employee of the real owner) was doing the same thing. i wouldnt try suing, because you'd need proof once you're in court. if you try taping him he can nail you for making an illegal tape, which could be inadmissable in court. how well do you know the ex-wife? can you call her anonymously and tell her what's going on? are you and your husband looking for other jobs? if not, it would be better if you were, to get out of the situation.
2006-09-09 18:06:48 · answer #8 · answered by crochetblanket2002 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1) First you find a new job.
2) Once you have worked at your new job for awhile then make a law suit against him.
Never do it the other way round, you will only have a hard time finding work if you are a whistle blower.
Good luck
2006-09-09 18:02:19 · answer #9 · answered by LVieau 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is this thing called a whistleblower. You would be one which is OK. You are protected in most states by this. You should say something immediately. Do you realize that by NOT saying something to the appropriate authorities that you are JUST AS GUILTY as he is???? You can find yourself in more trouble for helping cover it up by NOT saying something. Report it immediately. Consult a local attny for your rights!
2006-09-09 18:02:44 · answer #10 · answered by echickaboo99 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋