WHAT ADVICE LAWYERS ARE GIVING TO YOUR EMPLOYER

We subscribe to many publications - including a local one written for the Business community in our region.

In a recent article, an attorney who primarily advises employers in employment situations gave the following advice when employees leave:

(Yes - I am paraphrasing)
- Contact the IT department to find out whether that employee has downloaded documents recently
- Cut off their computer access ASAP
- Get the laptop back

The attorney adds "be prepared."

Well, we advise EMPLOYEES... and my advice is the same. Be prepared, but don't break the rules. This morning I wrote about planning your exit.

Act as if everything you say in confidence to a co-worker, and type on your computer, even in a private email, will end up in front of a judge someday.

Don't take documents, give everything back (and a list of what you returned in writing), be nice, don't make threats to file suit, don't copy files or customer lists.... BE SMART.

After all, your employers are being told you contact IT the minute you are out the door. Let them, and they will realize you have done nothing wrong.