Ask the Stress Doc -- Q & A

Ask the Stress Doc Q & A/Digital City--Washington, DC Work Stress

1) Protecting Your Good Name from Management Slander

Q. I wish you would comment on this message I wrote to you on May 7. It is bothering me that this whole thing happened. I am concerned that since he is the CIO and signs all contracts that he will put something on file somewhere that will keep me from ever doing work there again, maybe even after he's gone. Besides, even though I was already looking for a better contract because this place was so nutty, I haven't found one to replace this one yet. Should I write a letter to their corporate counsel or something?

I am an independent contractor, working on a project with an ISP headquartered in the DC area. Tech writing, Training. One of the firm's employees whom I had befriended asked me for some advice in an area where I have some expertise that was unrelated to the scope of my contract. I provided the input. My friend's dept. decided to investigate whether my suggestion could help them. This meant they would get a live test demonstration and might ultimately purchase a pricey software product that they could use to perform their analyses. Of course, a live test demo includes the use of proprietary data. My employee colleagues and the software company reps worked through the night to produce a working demonstration using the firm's data. In their excitement, they all forgot to get a mutual nondisclosure statement signed. So, yours truly asked what to do. Per the CIO and the employee friend, get one signed and return to CIO for signature and then give a copy to counsel's office.

Since I work in the CIO's bldg., while all the others are located afar, I volunteered to get the nondisclosure signed. I did so in accordance with written instruction from the CIO. Simple, right? WRONG! This guy YELLED at me that I was "nothing but a contractor," sounding like he had a bad taste in his mouth and said he would NEVER sign it. He followed this with a series of emails telling me that I was "inappropriate," ordering me to "cease and desist," ordered me to "stop working my personal agenda," and to take direction from my management. Of course, I am not there anymore. I was/am stunned. Now I hear from my colleagues that he says that I was fired for having STOLEN proprietary data and giving it to a vendor so they could have some kind of advantage over others.

I would like to know what you think I should do about this. Thank you.

A. Sorry for the delay. Frankly, I would consult a good labor attorney who also has expertise in intellectual property. (Good means capable of being strategically tactful and a pit bull.) I especially make this suggestion if you need to list your work for this company on a resume or a job application or, of course, if you need a reference from said company and your CIO slanderer. You must protect your professional reputation. Plus, I don't like being a passive victim.

Is there any way your nemesis' company can get some payment for the data that was shared? In other words, can the software company provide some hush (or, more apt, "shut your mouth") money?

I would think you have some evidence of his slanderous behavior. Hopefully, a firm, subtly threatening letter from an attorney (stick) and some recompense (carrot) will make this jerk and your problem go away.

Just remember...Practice Safe Stress!

(The reader's reply)

Thank you for answering -- it was really bothering me. I was afraid that my impulse to run to the nearest attorney could be an overreaction from the "practical" perspective, but you are right about my reputation. I have an excellent reputation where I came from, but no one knows me here yet. So, I feel extra vulnerable. I will follow up with an attorney. Again, thank you.

Mark Gorkin, LICSW, the Stress Doc, a psychotherapist and nationally recognized speaker, trainer, consultant and author, is also known as AOL's and the internet's "Online Psychohumorist" ™. Check out his USA Today Online "Hot Site" website - www.stressdoc.com and his page on AOL/Online Psych, Keyword: Stress Doc

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