I just found out that my bookeeper/ secretary is doing the books for one of our competitors as well as for us. She only told me because we were interviewing an ex employee from the other company and knew it would come up. What should I do?
2007-03-05 18:46:35 · 6 answers · asked by need advice 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
That's a conflict of interest, I wouldn't trust her if she is doing both books, maybe she would tell the other guy confidential information about your finances or something. I would draft a privacy notice confidentiality statement and have her sign it right now, then after your taxes are done, tell her up front that you are not comfortable with her doing both places, that she either works for you or them because it is a conflict of interest. In all honesty if I were you I would find a new secretary!
2007-03-05 18:58:55 · answer #1 · answered by Tina of Lymphland.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term "conflict of interest" is the real problem.
Is she in a position that she can share information that will be
harmful to your company if it is released? Or is it just bookeeping that is public information anyway. I mean if she says that your company made a profit of x% last year that does not hurt you. If she goes around telling everyone what everyone earns that is a different matter.
Judge it - if she is just earning two wages to help make ends meet and does not really have information that is harmful, remind her that there is a privaticy matter involved in working for two companies. If there is a conflict of interest it would be best to let her find another job, politely but with limited tiem and options, before information walks out the door.
2007-03-06 03:04:28 · answer #2 · answered by Carl P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
looks like she was hiding it untill she was going to get caught anyway,so she probably feels guilty and has somthing to hide. it all depends on the buiesness though if your a dry cleaner and hes a competeing dry cleaning company then it rely shouldnt be a problem but if its a company with buisnes ventures that you dont want to get out the the public or the compition then you should probably let her/him go. besides you are the employer you need to do whats best for the company if it can hurt it.
personal opinion
2007-03-06 02:53:56 · answer #3 · answered by punktillies 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is she your full time employee???
Has she volunteered any info about your competitor's books??
Do you trust her???
Commend her for her telling you, expain you have no problem with her doing it as long as it does not affect her job with you, and keeps your info confidential.
I would talk this over with your attorney before you do anything.
2007-03-06 02:55:52 · answer #4 · answered by TedEx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this happen to me 4 years ago. I 'allowed' her to tender her resignation and that was her last day. I would also contact your attorney - I had mine draft a letter to her and the other company advising them that if any of my "Proprietary" information ended up in the street, that I would seek legal action on both of them.
2007-03-06 02:58:21 · answer #5 · answered by Jeff R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IS IT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST?
ANY CONTRACT PROBLEMS WITH HER?
DO YOU DOUBT HER HONEST?
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WHY HAVEN'T YOU JUST FIRED HER?
WHY ASK HERE?
MANY PEOPLE WORK FOR MULTIPLE FIRMS....UNLESS YOU HAVE A CONFLICT--APPARENTLY SHE DOES NOT AND YOU DON'T PAY ENOUGH-SHE NEEDS EXTRA WORK..
SHAME ON YOU..
2007-03-06 03:23:49 · answer #6 · answered by cork 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋