Boss ask me to steal

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emom

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What do I do if my boss asks me to install copies of software programs that we don’t have licenses for? I now see this as breaking the 10 Commandments.
 
you refuse and tell him why, that not only is it a violation of God’s commandment, but an unethical and dangerous business practice that will backfire when it is discovered (and it will be, it is much harder to pirate software than it used to be without being caught). It may also be a criminal act, and you refuse to be a party to it.
 
Over the 6 years of working here, I’ve install many programs without the correct license because I was asked to. I am in fear of losing my job if I make such a big request for them to pay for the licenses now or just to unistall the programs. Would it be ok to confess, my sins and be stern in my ways the next time he asks? I does bother me that I know of programs are that installed illegally.
 
My boss broke copyright rules in a hospital library and wanted me to photocopy huge sections of journals for a paediatrician , she even put a separate stack of paper in the copier hoping that I would not notice. I consequently refused to continue work as a library assistant and left my paid work. I believe there was a later enquiry though I was not unionised. I have worked in a voluntary capacity ever since and saw my stand vindicated. I made no protest and merely allowed the employers to discharge me , I checked at the public library to make sure that what she was about to have me do was against the law and with that knowledge filled in the documentation which led to an industrial tribunal. This was thirteen years ago and I feel glad that I carried my Catholic faith and the commandment “Thou shalt not steal” to my workplace where I also used to pray before starting work each morning using Fr Robert Fox’s “A Prayer Book for Young Catholics” .
 
Did he directly tell you to install them with the intent to violate copyright law? That is, if he just said, “install this”, you could call the software company and obtain the licesnces. The boss might get pissed when he gets the bill, but if he just told you to install copies, you could reasonably infer that he meant install them legally. I Would need to know the context of the conversation.

Scott
 
The boss is not likely to think much of the 10 commandments argument. I would go to him and say, “You know, Boss, things are getting really dicey in the software business when it comes to illegal installations. I think we need to bite the bullet and pay for the licenses. It doesn’t cost that much, and we’ll both be able to sleep nights.”

You could mention that when you did it before but you were unaware of how serious this is. Do an internet search and find a couple of horror stories about law suits.
 
as with all moral judgements involving matter for confession, your authority is the priest in confession, not an internet forum. we can tell you the basic moral principles involved, but when it comes to what you need to confess, go to your priest.
 
I told him that we need to buy licenses and he said that I need to install them on all the computers. I gave him a quote a few times on the license and he never wanted to buy them. I did lack the courage to stand up to him - he would keep on asking me why haven’t I install the program on all the computers.

Now I am renewing my faith and strength and see this as one of my faults. I would like some suggestions on what I can do with the things that I failed to do and commited before. My question is that do I need to rectify the software issue and unistall the programs on the systems and or pay for them? Did I need to setup a meeting and discuss this with my boss? Or should I let my past sins be the past and go one and be strong in my beliefs the next time I need to install software licenses?
 
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emom:
I told him that we need to buy licenses and he said that I need to install them on all the computers. I gave him a quote a few times on the license and he never wanted to buy them. I did lack the courage to stand up to him - he would keep on asking me why haven’t I install the program on all the computers.

Now I am renewing my faith and strength and see this as one of my faults. I would like some suggestions on what I can do with the things that I failed to do and commited before. My question is that do I need to rectify the software issue and unistall the programs on the systems and or pay for them? Did I need to setup a meeting and discuss this with my boss? Or should I let my past sins be the past and go one and be strong in my beliefs the next time I need to install software licenses?
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My :twocents: : Be clear in saying to him, “This is illegal. It can get us in a lot of trouble.” Do it in an e-mail.

See if you can get him to write you an e-mail demanding that you do this. Print it out and put it in your personal file.
 
When I was a young man, working in grocery stores, one of my bosses purchased entire truckloads of what he called “hot ice cream” from the Dolly Madison Ice Cream Company, stolen from their loading dock by one of the drivers. The boss used to have “hot ice cream” sales, advertized by signs calling the ice cream “hot” set up in the store! The neighbors loved it.

The driver was finally arrested and prosecuted.

I felt very guilty about being at the cash register when the “hot ice cream” came across the counter. I discussed the business with the owner, but he thought I was crazy.

In the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office in the 1980s, I would watch some of the ADA’s ask the police officers testifying in their cases, “Are you able to testify that…” The ADA was actually putting words into the policeman’s mouth before trial, soliciting a lie. They justified the practice on the grounds that “the defendants all lie.” And that is pretty close to truth. Most did. But I was disturbed when I saw the Good Guys doing this.
 
Tell him you dont feel comfortable and that it’s starting to creating a “hostile work environment”. Is there a corperate human resources tip line? You realy should not have to fear for your job. I would find a way to make this practice change verses a Christian confrontation. Is this a big company? What kind of software?

-D
 
It is a small family owned business so there isn’t anyone to go to. The boss is the owner too. I agree that I don’t want it to be a Christain debate. Use the type office applications.
 
Sounds like your boss isn’t too convinced by the morality arguments. If that is indeed the case, you might succeed in convincing him with some of these facts:
  • The fine for software piracy within businesses is $100,000 PER INCIDENT. My boss told me this a few years ago; the fine may have gone up since then.
  • Is the software made by Microsoft? Microsoft has an entire building full of people devoted to dealing with piracy of their software. It is a very dangerous move to use pirated software in a business.
  • Is the software something like MS Office or other standard office-type software? Many alternatives exist, some of which are completely free. For example, OpenOffice.org is not only completely free but it works almost identically to MS Office (and can even work with files created by MS Office). Suggest this to him.
If he still won’t be convinced, you don’t have a moral obligation to obey him in this matter. But at the same time, if your job is in jeopardy I don’t believe it would be a sin to obey him anyway. I might be wrong on this. I hope it all turns out well.
 
I was also asked this once. I simply stated to my boss that it is cheaper to buy the licenses than it is to fight this case in court. She agreed and we moved on.
 
Do we have any lawyers here? If the boss tells you to do something illegal and you refuse, what can he do? If he fires you isn’t he opening himself up to a lawsuit?
 
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