TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:An ugly job incident From:Laurence Burrows <burrows -at- IBM -dot- NET> Date:Wed, 21 Oct 1998 11:00:51 +1000
Someone wrote:
--------------snip
Do you think I was wrong to throw away notes and old edited documents?
Have any of you had something similar happen, like being accused of
stealing?
Do you think I have legal recourse if I don't receive my severance?
Is this a clear case of defamation of character?
--------------snip
Writing as a company Director:
1. Yes. You can destroy "notes and old edited documents" only if you do it
in front of and with the agreement of your manager or someone authorized by
the HR manager (not a friend who works in HR). Why? Because, unless you
have a contract that states the opposite, everything you produce in company
time on the company equipment belongs to the company. It's not your property.
2. Only when people act in isolation. Without witnesses present the only
corporate view is "has some of our property been unlawfully removed?"
3. Probably not. Your manger may be incompetent and exercise poor employee
relations, but you did the deed.
