Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed.

Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid

Message

defiantbadgirl -> Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 9:51:06 AM)
My husband and Sir has been employed at Walmart for 7 years and in that time has worked his way up into claims. They're paying him $12.10/hr. If he worked at Costco, he would be making twice that, maybe more. He wants to work at Costco and knows it would be worth it to start at the bottom and work his way up. I thought with his experience, he had a good chance of getting hired there. Then we called Costco and were told their NO EXCEPTIONS hiring policy is as follows: Temporary holiday workers are hired and laid off after the holiday season. The best performing temporary workers are then contacted when permanent positions become available. Since people retire from there, that might take awhile. Walmart, like most department stores, has a CONFLICT OF INTEREST policy that states their employees can't work for other department stores. How can my husband prove himself at Costco without first quitting his permanent job at Walmart and becoming unemployed after the holidays? How do we get around this? If he goes behind Walmart's back and violates the conflict of interest policy, is there a good chance he would get caught?

IrishMist -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 10:01:10 AM)
Geesh, I can't believe you are actually asking this. If he is working at walmart, and goes to work for a competing store, while still being employed...THAT IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. When your husband accepted a position at walmart, he accepted the stores policy in regards to this. Violating this policy is grounds for dismissal. End of story. I guess you and your husband are just going to have to decide if being dishonest, unethical, disloyal and possibly unemployed are more important. /shrug

defiantbadgirl -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 10:26:07 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: IrishMist Geesh, I can't believe you are actually asking this. If he is working at walmart, and goes to work for a competing store, while still being employed...THAT IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. When your husband accepted a position at walmart, he accepted the stores policy in regards to this. Violating this policy is grounds for dismissal. End of story. I guess you and your husband are just going to have to decide if being dishonest, unethical, disloyal and possibly unemployed are more important. /shrug We actually hate the idea of being dishonest for any reason. The problem is, if he's honest and doesn't violate conflict of interest, he would have to quit Walmart to be a temporary holiday worker at Costco and after the holidays, he would be UNEMPLOYED. He's trying to get on at Costco without becoming unemployed. Would your advice to him be to quit a permanent job to work at a temporary job and then be unemployed after the holidays or to stay at Walmart or be satisfied with meager wages? He's not a teenager. He's in his 40's and looking for a company to work for until he retires.

stef -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 10:30:43 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: IrishMist Geesh, I can't believe you are actually asking this. Really? Have you read the other stuff she's posted here? This is right in her wheelhouse.

defiantbadgirl -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 10:44:33 AM)
Since when has seeking advice become a synonym for seeking insults?

Lynnxz -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 10:51:27 AM)
It's Walmart, he's not making shit, and they don't care. He WORKED HIS WAY UP to twelve bucks? Holy crap. I'd go for it with Costco... Or somewhere with education benefits.

kdsub -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 10:59:07 AM)
We all have taken chances in our lives to better ourselves. I would look at the difference in pay from his existing job and starting wage at Costco's.. I would bet they are not that far apart but if I could still make ends meet it would be worth the chance. So I think immediate money would not be a problem. But of course there is always the chance that he would be let go after the holidays. Just me...I would take that chance because even if it did not work out ...with a good work history I could find a job somewhere else if I had to. Butch

YouName -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 11:13:46 AM)
What a troublesome situation. I can't understand such a thing in Europe. There would be riots immediately in any country! Conflict of interest? For what, packing the citrus fruit on the wrong shelf? My god... But I would lie, of course. If the system tries to fuck you, you try to fuck the system. Since they are such harsh competitors they probably do not share databases. What would be important is to take the job somewhere far away from your own home and the Walmart he works in. Preferably ask to be placed in any type of job except front end if possiblle.

IrishMist -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 11:40:36 AM)
quote: We actually hate the idea of being dishonest for any reason Really? Did you forget the title of this thread? If you hated the idea of being dishonest, you would not even contemplate the thought of being dishonest. quote: Would your advice to him be to quit a permanent job to work at a temporary job and then be unemployed after the holidays or to stay at Walmart or be satisfied with meager wages? No, my advice would be, and always would be, honesty. If he wants a better job, at a competing store, then do so. You say he's a mature adult in his 40's? Then perhaps he should act like one. Take responsibility for his own future. Instead, you come here and ask 'is it ok to lie to his employer blah blah blah" What the fuck do you think? quote: Really? Have you read the other stuff she's posted here? This is right in her wheelhouse. I know. I had hoped that, over the years, she might have matured a bit. It's kind of sad to see that nothing has changed in her thinking. [&:] quote: Since when has seeking advice become a synonym for seeking insults? You are not looking for advice. You are looking for validation. Totally different.

YouName -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 11:49:36 AM)
Well Irish a good advice from your perspective would be giving them a way out through the System then. But if there really isn't and they would like to advance then your advice about honesty doesn't come far when the game is set up :) One fellow suggested finding something where he can be educated through his employement but it's hard to find such a place at their age when he's working on Walmart. Be nice : )

Kaliko -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 11:57:50 AM)
quote: How can my husband prove himself at Costco without first quitting his permanent job at Walmart and becoming unemployed after the holidays? How do we get around this? If he goes behind Walmart's back and violates the conflict of interest policy, is there a good chance he would get caught? Could he possibly find another job that wouldn't be in direct conflict with Costco first? Maybe prepare himself for the seasonal work (including whatever hours Costco will likely demand of him) and eventual layoff ahead of time? This might take a year's preparation, but in the long run could be a way to do it if the ultimate goal is to get into Costco. quote: We actually hate the idea of being dishonest for any reason. I agree with IrishMist. If you really hate it, then you wouldn't do it. There are other ways to tackle the problem. ETA: Personally, I don't really like the conflict of interest clause, myself. But it's in there, and he agreed to it. If I were somebody at Costco (or wherever) and I found out that he had violated the terms of his employment contract, that would be cause for me not to hire him. That could be long-term damage for what is really a short-term problem.

YouName -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 12:14:42 PM)
Good stuff there Kaiko. I think the problem with finding an other job for them would be to lose the security they have in Walmart. But then again....It's a gamble to try and trick Walmart as well! Although frankly, the person best qualified to answer her request for advice would be someone who knows the ins and outs of the trade. That is what the clause is intended for. My guess is that it may be as a protection for certain legal troubles that may arise and that they won't be actively looking for anyone who might break it. But that's just an unqualified guess.

freedomdwarf1 -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 12:25:13 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: IrishMist quote: We actually hate the idea of being dishonest for any reason Really? Did you forget the title of this thread? If you hated the idea of being dishonest, you would not even contemplate the thought of being dishonest. quote: Would your advice to him be to quit a permanent job to work at a temporary job and then be unemployed after the holidays or to stay at Walmart or be satisfied with meager wages? No, my advice would be, and always would be, honesty. If he wants a better job, at a competing store, then do so. You say he's a mature adult in his 40's? Then perhaps he should act like one. Take responsibility for his own future. Instead, you come here and ask 'is it ok to lie to his employer blah blah blah" What the fuck do you think? quote: Really? Have you read the other stuff she's posted here? This is right in her wheelhouse. I know. I had hoped that, over the years, she might have matured a bit. It's kind of sad to see that nothing has changed in her thinking. [&:] quote: Since when has seeking advice become a synonym for seeking insults? You are not looking for advice. You are looking for validation. Totally different. Love that last comment!! [:D] But seriously, could a 'conflict of interest' clause actually stand up in a US court?? I know they tried that here and it fell flat. What trade secrets is he likely to pass on? I would posit, nothing of real interest.

Lynnxz -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 12:35:04 PM)
I don't really know if Walmart is going to care that a bottom rung employee picked up another gig. You'd almost HAVE to.

DarkSteven -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 12:35:07 PM)
I've been screwed over enough by employers that I have nothing but sympathy for your husband. I suspect that if he were to work for Costco, Wal-Mart would find out. Would it be possible to start applying for non-Costco/Wal-Mart jobs that begin Jan 1? If he could get one, then he can accept it, quit Wal-Mart, and work for Costco with this job lined up for Jan 1. If Costco then calls him, cool. If not, he's still employed.

AAkasha -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 12:39:32 PM)
Why not aggressively look at what 7 years can get him, because 12 dollars an hour is too low. First check at his current job for any and all openings, then look at similar jobs. But first answer these questions: * Is he the most passionate person on the shift? * Do his bosses LOVE him? If not. why not? * Is he making his bosses job easier and always looking for ways to to fix problems? * Does he NEVER complain? * Is he solutions oriented? * Does he keep his nose out of gossip and drama? Make a 6 to 9 month plan to get him into a higher paying job. If you have health benefits, see a mental health counselor that is covered by your insurance that will help with things like assertive communication, goal setting, etc. Use those sessions for professional growth and role playing job interviews. Make an amazing resume that reflects how much growth he brought to the company in short bullets. Then set targets in similar companies, maybe smaller retail outfits where he can be the manager. Conflict of interest does not say you can't interview. But it is up to YOU not to be lazy. If you can get free mental health counseling (or very cheap) you can get help with assertiveness as it relates to job interviewing and social situations which are both extremely effective in landing jobs. Seven years of retail experience should be compelling if you can position it right.

MrRodgers -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 1:06:10 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl My husband and Sir has been employed at Walmart for 7 years and in that time has worked his way up into claims. They're paying him $12.10/hr. If he worked at Costco, he would be making twice that, maybe more. He wants to work at Costco and knows it would be worth it to start at the bottom and work his way up. I thought with his experience, he had a good chance of getting hired there. Then we called Costco and were told their NO EXCEPTIONS hiring policy is as follows: Temporary holiday workers are hired and laid off after the holiday season. The best performing temporary workers are then contacted when permanent positions become available. Since people retire from there, that might take awhile. Walmart, like most department stores, has a CONFLICT OF INTEREST policy that states their employees can't work for other department stores. How can my husband prove himself at Costco without first quitting his permanent job at Walmart and becoming unemployed after the holidays? How do we get around this? If he goes behind Walmart's back and violates the conflict of interest policy, is there a good chance he would get caught? I suggest he find other employment outside of retail that has no conflict with Walmart. Then quit Walmart. Then soon as he can work that job and also go to work at Costco even p/t, temp or whatever it takes, then suffer and work through the Costco policy until at such time he's hired full time (quit the other job) there and then pursue a position in claims if that remains his goal.

PeonForHer -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 2:37:31 PM)
Personally, I wouldn't give a flying rat's anus about the moral position on being "honest" and "loyal" to Walmart. They're a ruthless, exploitative company that has never shown that it gives the slightest toss about being decent in the world and that's truest of all when it comes to its own workers. This is evidenced by the fact that it pays your husband such a paltry wage even after seven years of service. Erase that old bollocks from your mind and move on to the practicalities. I think in his position I'd just ask somebody at Costco. Hell, their personnel department must be aware of the problem. People who are considered desirable in the retail trade are no doubt frequently tied in by contract clauses like Walmarts, so I'd imagine that Costco's personnel people will know a way round it if one such exists.

LafayetteLady -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 6:10:06 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: freedomdwarf1 But seriously, could a 'conflict of interest' clause actually stand up in a US court?? I know they tried that here and it fell flat. What trade secrets is he likely to pass on? I would posit, nothing of real interest. Whether something like that can stand up in court is irrelevant. Someone who loses a job where they made less than 30K a year can't afford to sue their employer. That is one of the reasons why these shitty practices don't change. While in theory, I completely agree that no one owes loyalty to their employer who doesn't give a shit about them (in the US, that encompasses so many more than simply WalMart), the reality is that if he does it and is found out, WalMart will fire him, and there ain't bupkus he can do about it. Especially considering that most states in the US are "right to work" states, meaning, they can pretty much fire you for anything that doesn't amount to discrimination. Oh, and don't forget, if you are one of the underpaid such as the OP's husband, then the whole "can't afford to sue" comes into play even if it is discrimination, so that's what you have to look at when making the decision. Frankly, a "mature man in his 40s" who has only worked his way up to just over twelve dollars an hour really doesn't have a whole lot going for him to begin with.

DarkSteven -> RE: Is dishonesty the best policy? Advice needed. (10/25/2014 6:25:05 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady quote: ORIGINAL: freedomdwarf1 But seriously, could a 'conflict of interest' clause actually stand up in a US court?? I know they tried that here and it fell flat. What trade secrets is he likely to pass on? I would posit, nothing of real interest. Whether something like that can stand up in court is irrelevant. Someone who loses a job where they made less than 30K a year can't afford to sue their employer. That is one of the reasons why these shitty practices don't change. While in theory, I completely agree that no one owes loyalty to their employer who doesn't give a shit about them (in the US, that encompasses so many more than simply WalMart), the reality is that if he does it and is found out, WalMart will fire him, and there ain't bupkus he can do about it. Especially considering that most states in the US are "right to work" states, meaning, they can pretty much fire you for anything that doesn't amount to discrimination. Oh, and don't forget, if you are one of the underpaid such as the OP's husband, then the whole "can't afford to sue" comes into play even if it is discrimination, so that's what you have to look at when making the decision. Frankly, a "mature man in his 40s" who has only worked his way up to just over twelve dollars an hour really doesn't have a whole lot going for him to begin with. Pretty much my take as well. The only thing that I'd add is that Wal-Mart would be VERY invested in the noncompete clause. They'd be more than willing to pay way more to lawyers to fight it than they would to shell out to settle it.

Page: [1] 2 next > >>

Collarchat.com © 2025

Terms of Service

0.046875