Ask HN: Should I testify?

#1

Post by goingtogetsued » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 6:12 PM UTC

I've been contacted by a major law firm to testify against a former employer about how they've broken California and federal law. I have proof and witnessed it from a bunch of people inside so I'm not worried about that part.

But what will this do to my career? Now when people google me, they find good stuff like projects and presentations and blogs posts. They won't let me be anonymous and the employer is prominent and popular here so people will find out. What happens if they find this instead? Would it be a deal killer if I applied at your company?

I'm looking for career advice here, not legal advice. I have enough of that.

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#2

Post by porter » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 6:37 PM UTC

I don't think any company here will tell you it'd be a deal breaker. Certainly it will have an impact though. You could testify but still have a plan for controlling what comes up when people search your name. For example, by doing SEO on yourself.

Also, if the law that was broken was actually a major thing then I'd be hard pressed not to testify. It might affect your career, but only with companies that themselves have questionable ethics. You probably don't want to work for them anyway.

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#3

Post by Qworg » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 6:40 PM UTC

Testify. It demonstrates integrity. Any firm that doesn't want to hire you, especially if the case is clear cut, is not worth working for.

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#4

Post by humanarity » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 6:44 PM UTC

I'd say there's something even more important operating here for you than career, and that's who do you choose to be? This is really a question it works for you to answer yourself. Consult your own values, search your feelings, is this something that really inspires you? Are you being you authentically if you do testify or not? Whatever you discover, take the risk and act on that, whichever it is. The choice that is you, even if it's risky. This is an identity inflexion point. Get your game face on :)

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#5

Post by gershwin » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 6:46 PM UTC

Do what you think is the right thing to do. Any firm that doesn't hire you based on your decision is saving you the frustration of working with a group that doesn't match your ethics.

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#6

Post by noir_lord » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 6:48 PM UTC

I'd be more likely to hire someone who testified all things been equal, it's an incredible indicator of integrity.

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#7

Post by flurp » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 6:48 PM UTC

porter wrote: post #2

I don't think any company here will tell you it'd be a deal breaker. Certainly it will have an impact though. You could testify but still have a plan for controlling what comes up when people search your name. For example, by doing SEO on yourself. Also, if the law that was broken was actually a major thing then I'd be hard pressed not to testify. It might affect your career, but only with companies that themselves h…

I agree with the advice above, and adding on to it, as a founder... If the case is morally and ethically sound then I wouldn't hold it against you, probably applaud you. On the contrary if it's a shakedown of sorts I would be questionable.

As an exercise I would look into the recent lawsuit against VC firm Kleiner Perkins. Search the web for "kpbc lawsuit" and read how people have reacted to that case.

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#8

Post by gargarplex » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 6:48 PM UTC

Don't do it. What's the upside for you? What's the downside?

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#9

Post by Scarbutt » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 6:48 PM UTC

Are you going to get remunerated enough for testifying? the law firm is probably as corrupt as your employer.

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#10

Post by bro_haskell » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 6:49 PM UTC

I would not. Even firms that are not doing anything blatantly illegal steer clear from whistleblowers and the like. A recruiter that googles you and finds you testifying against a former employer may just pass on your resume.