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Ask HN: Should I testify?

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Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#91

Post by emef »

crypt1d wrote: post #89
humanarity wrote: post #4

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…

Sorry to point this out, but the fact that he did nothing to prevent the law abuse while he was an employee there speaks volumes about his moral compass.

That's rather presumptuous, do you happen to know more than what's in the post?

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#92

Post by [deleted] »

lisa_henderson wrote: post #44

Let's be realistic: there are many companies that won't hire you after this. The question is, are those the companies that you want to work for? It's a tough choice, of course. You mention that the company you worked at is popular here on Hacker News. So let's assume we are talking about Apple or Google or perhaps AirBnB. So from now on, when people look up your name, they will see something like "Testified against A…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#94

Post by cle »

crypt1d wrote: post #89
humanarity wrote: post #4

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…

Sorry to point this out, but the fact that he did nothing to prevent the law abuse while he was an employee there speaks volumes about his moral compass.

What? It says nothing about his moral compass, because none of us know the details of what went on. Unless you would like to fill us in?

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#95

Post by BurningFrog »

lisa_henderson wrote: post #44

Let's be realistic: there are many companies that won't hire you after this. The question is, are those the companies that you want to work for? It's a tough choice, of course. You mention that the company you worked at is popular here on Hacker News. So let's assume we are talking about Apple or Google or perhaps AirBnB. So from now on, when people look up your name, they will see something like "Testified against A…

> A lot of companies will quietly remove you from consideration

This is probably true. At the same time, some will certainly see it as a good thing and want to hire OP.

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#97

Post by humanarity »

crypt1d wrote: post #89
humanarity wrote: post #4

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…

Sorry to point this out, but the fact that he did nothing to prevent the law abuse while he was an employee there speaks volumes about his moral compass.

It works to give the benefit of the doubt and make a helpful contribution. For instance: my helpful contribution to you is did you notice the person said they had evidence? Maybe they'd been safeguarding some evidence, perhaps at some risk, to ensure justice. Maybe even more. We don't know they "did nothing" so assuming that may be incorrect. :)

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#98

Post by whizzkid »

"major law firm" --> you are not the main character in the movie. So please keep this in mind. As soon as something goes wrong, you will not be first one to be saved from the bad situation. At the same time this is a risk that can lead to both good and bad stuff.

For the career advice;

You will be a lot more known than your projects since this topic will be covered by media as well.

This can be risky too.

The bad:

If law firm loses the case, then you will end up with them as a loser too which will lower your chances getting a similar job like you are working now.

Keep in mind that you former employer also have lawyers to defend themselves, and at the end after the case, they will most probably be still operating.

The good:

You will be known as someone that actually did something about the problem. This can open opportunities for you to work for/as something else than what you are doing now. (they might want to host you on TV, interviews, people would would want to hire you to do some other things, i don't know maybe IT specialist for law firms?)

For both cases, doing what you are doing now MAY not be easier for you after this. (This is my opinion)

Taking or not taking this risk should be ONLY your decision since advantages and disadvantages will mostly affect you.

There are some other things came to my mind that might be worth thinking about as well.

- Do you have a family to take care? (taking risks are easier when you are single)

- Would you be happy doing something else than what you are doing now?

- What are you expecting that will happen when the case is over? (How will you feel about it?)

And one more thing,

Since i am not a lawyer, you actually can find another law firm or a lawyer and ask them about this offer you got. And listen what they are saying about the whole thing.

Good luck!

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#99

Post by Taek »

It would change my thoughts on hiring you. What were the crimes? What were the values you were defending? Are those values I want in my company? How much were you sticking your neck out?

Your answers and justifications could swing the pedlndulum either way. I would want to know that you believed you did the right thing, and that you took the time to really question what the right thing was.

Re: Ask HN: Should I testify?

#100

Post by [deleted] »

mistermann wrote: post #85
waterlesscloud wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This the truth of it. People are going to lie to you and tell you they wouldn't hold it against you. But they would.

Exactly. I think a lot of technical people are extremely naive about how corporate politics work. As we enjoy solving technical puzzles, a similar game is played by ambitious people in management at various levels, and ethics takes a seat at the back of the bus. Oh sure, they will say all the right words (if you can get them to say anything), but their actions are very different from words. And, they seem to be able…

[deleted]
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