A number of years ago, I was in a similar situation. I told my boss, in writing, that if he spammed I would quit. My reasons were:
1) I didn't think the company would last long if they resorted to spamming.
2) If I'd knowingly worked for a spammer, I would be forever unemployable in any industry related to technology.
3) "I quit because my previous employer sent spam" was, on the other hand, an answer I'd be proud to give in any job interview.
4) Self-respect is worth more than any job in the world.
He seemed genuinely shocked that I felt so strongly. He seemed to feel as though spamming was equivalent to telemarketing; I explained that he was proposing to commit petty theft and make me an accomplice. (And if he'd steal from strangers, why should I believe he wouldn't steal from me?)
I'm pretty sure that I didn't talk him out of it singlehandedly. But he did stop, and listen to some other opinions, and eventually came to an understanding that spamming would make him a pariah, not a success. That one conversation got pretty heated, but we ended up having a good working relationship afterwards. (YMMV!)
Of course, it's a lot easier to take a principled stand when you're pretty sure you can find another job in fifteen minutes. And it'd only get results if you worked in a company (or group) small enough that they'd feel it if you bailed.
But you should still find the door if your employer spams. See reason (4).
Slashdot Mirror
A number of years ago, I was in a similar situation. I told my boss, in writing, that if he spammed I would quit.
My reasons were:
1) I didn't think the company would last long if they resorted to spamming.
2) If I'd knowingly worked for a spammer, I would be forever unemployable in any industry related to technology.
3) "I quit because my previous employer sent spam" was, on the other hand, an answer I'd be proud to give in any job interview.
4) Self-respect is worth more than any job in the world.
He seemed genuinely shocked that I felt so strongly. He seemed to feel as though spamming was equivalent to telemarketing; I explained that he was proposing to commit petty theft and make me an accomplice. (And if he'd steal from strangers, why should I believe he wouldn't steal from me?)
I'm pretty sure that I didn't talk him out of it singlehandedly. But he did stop, and listen to some other opinions, and eventually came to an understanding that spamming would make him a pariah, not a success. That one conversation got pretty heated, but we ended up having a good working relationship afterwards. (YMMV!)
Of course, it's a lot easier to take a principled stand when you're pretty sure you can find another job in fifteen minutes. And it'd only get results if you worked in a company (or group) small enough that they'd feel it if you bailed.
But you should still find the door if your employer spams. See reason (4).