Just use game theory to evaluate your ex boss's ability to fuck over your career, and react accordingly.
If your boss is a political heavyweight with lots of connections and the power to send your career down the toilet, you accept that fact and treat him with kid gloves unless you want to piss him off into torpedoing your future.
In all likelihood that was a standard "I have read this and agree to abide by it" boilerplate.
If I was your boss I would have fired your ass on the spot for insubordination. Immediately, with no warnings or second chances and I would not have waited for a layoff to get rid of you. I would also make the point with HR that your termination was with prejudice.
You made an agreement to abide by company policy the moment you got the job. Breaking that agreement means I am no longer obligated to keep you on my payroll.
And I'd make a point of citing your insubordination if unemployment benefit questions came my way.
You be nice in an exit interview to keep vindictive assholes from getting an excuse to stab you in the back when they're called on your next job application during a reference check.
I think that the problem is actually the other way.
Corporations get fined first and THEN sued by their victims.
And since government fines have higher priority than restitutions, there's little incentive to report a company if the feds will get their pound of flesh before you get compensated.
And the corrupt ones are the only ones who can get into office in the first place, thanks to the winner take all system that rewards people for selling their souls to the corporate sector in exchange for campaign funds and air time on corporate owned media.
Not to mention that the neighbor knows damn well that his apple tree is trespassing on your lawn. The owner of the tree knows that his apple tree is infringing on your own lawn, and very much likes taking your lawn space for free sunshine.
Rather like how the DMCA stops you from format shifting, backing up, jailbreaking, etc etc etc.
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Correction: Only people not in power have to care.
If you're the boss you can get away with a lot more than if you're just a hired peon whose boss has your career by the balls.
People with political power will abuse it to get their way and shaft people they don't like.
News at eleven.
Marginal cost of production.
Just use game theory to evaluate your ex boss's ability to fuck over your career, and react accordingly.
If your boss is a political heavyweight with lots of connections and the power to send your career down the toilet, you accept that fact and treat him with kid gloves unless you want to piss him off into torpedoing your future.
Fair or not, your old boss has your career by the balls. Don't piss him off.
You respect him for that reason alone.
In all likelihood that was a standard "I have read this and agree to abide by it" boilerplate.
If I was your boss I would have fired your ass on the spot for insubordination. Immediately, with no warnings or second chances and I would not have waited for a layoff to get rid of you. I would also make the point with HR that your termination was with prejudice.
You made an agreement to abide by company policy the moment you got the job. Breaking that agreement means I am no longer obligated to keep you on my payroll.
And I'd make a point of citing your insubordination if unemployment benefit questions came my way.
So what?
If the captain wants to sink his own ship, the only thing you can do is hop on a life boat and paddle like hell.
Raising a stink will just get you forced to walk the plank.
So yes, you DO let them get away with it, simply because they have the power to fuck you over down the road if you don't.
Being "professional" has a lot to do with simply not pissing off people that have power over you.
I would.
How though do we tell you apart from PHBs that really ARE assholes looking to use an exit interview as an excuse to add you to a blacklist?
If we stay quiet and you are a good boss, we have nothing to lose. If we talk and you are a bad boss, we're screwed.
Staying quiet is the safe option.
A severance package that includes salary you have already earned is illegal and should result in a stiff ass kicking from the labor board.
If they wanted to make a point of it they should have performed a boycott.
Pirating it says that you like it but just want to be a cheapskate and not pay for it.
They can tell all their buddies that you're a sore thumb that won't stay nailed down.
You be nice in an exit interview to keep vindictive assholes from getting an excuse to stab you in the back when they're called on your next job application during a reference check.
When you need someone's help, you kiss their ass.
My point was that there were others even if it wasn't one of mine.
No, the worst part is that OUR OWN LAWMAKERS are being restrained in what they can talk about.
This is a direct affront to the principle of congressional oversight.
I'm still innocent until proven guilty, you nitwit!
The wealthy are untaxable mostly because they can scoot across the border and take their riches with them.
I have plenty to hide, and it's stuff I simply do not wish to share.
I do not trust strangers to not abuse my private information.
Staying out of jail is not one of my motivations.
I think that the problem is actually the other way.
Corporations get fined first and THEN sued by their victims.
And since government fines have higher priority than restitutions, there's little incentive to report a company if the feds will get their pound of flesh before you get compensated.
The monopolies force the local governments to capitulate.
They will sue the city and they will bribe the state legislature to make municipal competition illegal.
Citations: Google it, but i fyou're lazy it's TDS and time warner.
And the corrupt ones are the only ones who can get into office in the first place, thanks to the winner take all system that rewards people for selling their souls to the corporate sector in exchange for campaign funds and air time on corporate owned media.
So basically we should laud the scammers because they are doing darwin's work?
They should charge the fees they pay to the infringers they catch.
Not to mention that the neighbor knows damn well that his apple tree is trespassing on your lawn. The owner of the tree knows that his apple tree is infringing on your own lawn, and very much likes taking your lawn space for free sunshine.
Rather like how the DMCA stops you from format shifting, backing up, jailbreaking, etc etc etc.
Presumably the stress of duress would ruin your performance.
Not to mention just flat out sue over it.