dear mr. president...

November 20, 2007 6:45 PM

i'm quitting my job because it sucks. a lot. i want to tell the man-in-charge. should i?

so i work for a relatively small newspaper start-up company. the publisher lives far away (think states, not blocks) and is not in either of our offices ever. he receives information on how the company is running through the three (incompetent) members of the senior management team.

the senior management team has to be lying, because i don't think any decent person out there would allow what is happening to happen. to put it bluntly, it's like the 7th layer of hell, but a little bit deeper. some of the things we've had to endure in the past 7 months that i've worked there are: being paid monthly (i'm pretty sure this is illegal, as stated on one of those tattered yellow sheets on the employee bulletin board), construction work (picture fluorescent lights hanging over your head by a WIRE), no air conditioning (95 degrees in the office is not fun), routinely working 16 hour days to make up for other people's incompetence (mainly the editors), lack of equipment (we have three computers and four graphics people?) and a lot more. oh, a lot more.

not to mention that the other day, i (and all other employees) received a letter from aflac saying they were canceling coverage because the company hasn't paid them. even though they've been taking money out of our checks. wtf? the publisher doesn't handle the money, he hands it off to one of the senior management members to pay bills and dole out as needed. also, the electric company has been a-callin' about unpaid bills as well.

i found a job at a newspaper in DC, so i'm moving there on friday (yay!) but after i receive my last paycheck (next week), i'd like to write a letter to the publisher and just kind of blow the whistle, if you will. i just don't think he realizes how horrible the working conditions are.

is this a good idea or a bad idea? should i just leave well enough alone and thank fred i've got a job and i'm out? and just feel sorry for those left behind? or should i send the e-mail hoping that maybe, somehow, something will change and make it easier on the people i left?

posted by kerning to work & money (38 comments total)

Don't bother. Get on with your life.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 6:47 PM on November 20, 2007

Always!

What will it hurt?
posted by blacklite at 6:50 PM on November 20, 2007

It's great of you to care about the other employees. I hope you do write a letter. It would probably be best if you just described the conditions that bothered you, factually, without making any value judgments in the text. And the fact also include that these conditions prompted you to leave, and that, in your opinion, they may prompt others to leave.

Good luck.
posted by amtho at 6:53 PM on November 20, 2007

You already have a job so I say write away. Be as objective and detailed as possible, times dates etc. You *may* want to report them as well to Wage and Hour. If this is WVa as your profile suggests it may be, the link is here. Not reporting it just ensures the cycle continues.
posted by edgeways at 6:55 PM on November 20, 2007

Depends - do you need the job reference for the future? If not, write away.
posted by chrisamiller at 6:55 PM on November 20, 2007

If you do write the letter be very, very, very, very, very, very, very careful. (The only reason there are so few verys is that I have to get back work - there should be more ).

You may want to just go through the physical stuff, i.e. construction work, lack of equipment, lack of AC etc. Perhaps even take pictures of the problems to document them.

The management stuff is far more subjective and you may want to delay the writing of the letter for months so that your head is cooler than now. Or perhaps even omit it.

You never know when someone from the job will be in a position to affect you.
posted by sien at 7:01 PM on November 20, 2007

In my experience, the CEO knows exactly what's going on and is in full agreement with the results, either financially or product-wise (or both). You can tell him, but he already knows and doesn't give a damn--particularly if all three senior management people are on the same page. He did, after all, hire them.
posted by OlderThanTOS at 7:15 PM on November 20, 2007

"....fluorescent lights hanging over your head by a WIRE."

It gets worse, the drop ceiling (you know those off white foamy tiles seperated by strips of metal) is also suspended by wire.

This is a common construction method and you should probably leave it out of any letter you write. If you didn't know this, you probably shouldn't go critiquing the construction in too much detail.
posted by 517 at 7:20 PM on November 20, 2007

Write the letter. Nthing to keep your opinions of management and their competence out of it, though in addition to the maintenance/equipment issues, certainly mention the OT with the explanation that you were given for the long hours (which I'm betting will be plenty damning) and the missing Aflac payments and utility company calls.
posted by desuetude at 7:20 PM on November 20, 2007

You never know when someone from the job will be in a position to affect you.
3x very, true and valuable advice
posted by hortense at 7:25 PM on November 20, 2007

I disagree with "don't bother". Quit, then do explain to the higher-ups. It might do some good.

I've had people two-layers-down quit, and sometimes I only found out the real reason years later, either because the in-between was misled, or simply didn't feel like telling me the real reasons. I'd consider it a kind act for someone to at least try to supply that info directly.

You should get out, though. Sounds both awful and out of your control.
posted by rokusan at 7:30 PM on November 20, 2007

Do it. If you don't the bad guys win. At least you can say you tried, even if it doesn't help (eg the publisher doesn't give a fuck and this situation suits him). From your description this rises from the level of incompetence to quite possibly being criminal. Also if I was you I'd pursue getting a refund for all those insurance withholdings, since you clearly weren't even getting any insurance for it. In fact, if a nice letter to the publisher doesn't help, IMO it's small claims court time.
posted by evariste at 7:30 PM on November 20, 2007

There are basically two possibilities -
He knows and doesn't care.
He doesn't know and doesn't care.

Either way, your letter will have no impact.

On the other hand, the AFLAC thing is something that can lead to real trouble for your employer.
posted by 26.2 at 7:30 PM on November 20, 2007

I totally understand the impulse, but the outcome is more likely to be bad for you than good for those who remain.

You don't know what Mr. Big knows, but my money says he knows all about what losers he has running his company.
posted by ottereroticist at 7:32 PM on November 20, 2007

Also, um, the insurance might not be the only thing they're taking out of your paycheck and just pocketing. You really want to find out if the income tax they've been withholding has really been getting forwarded to the IRS or not. This is pretty important. Sorry that I don't know how you might go about that, but calling the IRS would probably help. Here are some of the IRS's customer service phone numbers.
posted by evariste at 7:36 PM on November 20, 2007

That goes for your FICA withholdings too, I think they're supposed to be paying in to the government an equal amount to what they withhold for FICA from your check, which means if they withheld $10 they should have given the government $20.

I am not a tax lawyer, etc.
posted by evariste at 7:39 PM on November 20, 2007

The idealist in me says: tell them the top 10% of your complaints - no more. Any more will be too much for them to handle.

The realist - and because I've tried this unsuccessfully three times in my career - says: don't bother. Their first reaction to your complaints will be "Thank god we got rid of that whiner so easily". Their second reaction will be "Kerning? Kerning who?".

If there is a superior who will listen to your criticism, I'm sure he is as powerless as you were to fix things. The place is destined to die. The best you can do for the people left behind is to maintain friendly contact with the best of them and describe the better world you've found.
posted by mediaddict at 7:39 PM on November 20, 2007

I don't think it's illegal to be paid monthly.
posted by Miko at 7:42 PM on November 20, 2007

I'd say give it a cooling period, and then write. But as others have said, be careful with your wording. Don't assume that every condition you perceive as terrible is either illegal or uncommon. (For example: 1) I and others have pulled those long hours and that's just the way it was at those workplaces; 2) I and others have been paid monthly and it's all the same to me as long I'm paid in full and on time; 3) There's the thing that 517 said about the lighting but I can't speak to it.)

There are certainly problems that the man in charge should care about even if he doesn't care about you: the bills aren't getting paid. Whether the person in charge is asleep at the wheel or there's embezzlement going on is anybody's guess, but if they want to keep the business afloat, that's going to have to be fixed.

And it does also sound as though other working conditions suck, so yeah, if you want to help the remaining employees (or if for another reason you'd like to see the business succeed), write a letter on concern for their behalf if you are so inclined. But don't write it in scathing revenge against management. (Even if they're that bad.) The reason for this is two-fold: first, constructive criticism is *always* best, and second, even if the man in charge is in cahoots with the shady management, a well-written, thoughtful letter might still bring about a change or two. (Either you'll hit a soft spot, or you'll word the letter in such a way that he'll realize that the business would actually be more profitable if conditions improved.)

Congrats on the new job (and I'm sooo glad your post didn't end with, "Should I look for a new job?") and good luck!
posted by iguanapolitico at 7:48 PM on November 20, 2007

If you're going to write the letter, write the only single worst item. Send it via certified mail. Inform the CEO that you've quit, and there is a serious problem...where you unload that 'worst one.'

Then indicate that there are a number of other serious problems...

and it'd be simple for you to tell him (via phone)...but you figure either he knows about the problems (and doesn't care..) in which case your time will be misspent, or that he doesn't know and nobody is willing to speak to him.

If he calls, figure you can tell him only a couple of other problems - you turn it into a 'crazy ex employee rant session' and none of them will be heard.

Just keep in mind you're committing it to paper, and you don't want it to haunt you.
posted by filmgeek at 7:53 PM on November 20, 2007

My wife has been paid monthly (as a public school teacher) for all of the nearly 10 years we've been married.
posted by 4ster at 7:58 PM on November 20, 2007

Give yourself a month or two before you write the letter (and in the meantime, try to stop writing it in your head).

A little time decompressing and experiencing the bliss you almost certainly feel after leaving the bad situation may result in you not caring enough to write the letter, which is probably appropriate.

Letters like that are best written before you leave, and if you feel its worthwhile to try to change the situation. Once you've escaped, well... meh...

Use the energy to enjoy the fruits of your new situation instead.
posted by quarterframer at 8:10 PM on November 20, 2007

I was paid monthly as well for 5 years by a super non-shady company. Its fairly common.
posted by mmascolino at 8:24 PM on November 20, 2007

Just responding to what evariste said above:

You are NOT responsible for federal taxes that your employer withheld but didn't pay over. I don't know about state taxes and junk, but don't freak out. It is very possible they are not paying these, it happens more often than you'd think. But this is only a disaster for them, not you. If it looks like it was withheld on your paycheck, then you are in the clear.

Want to make sure you don't go having fits because you think the IRS is going to arrest you.

I am not a tax lawyer, but I got to observe a case where this happened-- the employer was in 18 months in the fed pen kind of trouble, but the law is written so that the employees won't be in trouble if they are trusting their employer to pay the taxes over.
posted by ohio at 8:29 PM on November 20, 2007

Good to know, ohio. (I wasn't sure myself, which is why I suggested calling the IRS and asking about it).
posted by evariste at 8:33 PM on November 20, 2007

or should i send the e-mail hoping that maybe, somehow, something will change and make it easier on the people i left?

The only way it'll get better is if it's harder when someone leaves.
posted by rhizome at 8:36 PM on November 20, 2007

i left a startup, telling the principle what i thought was wrong with the model and the technology that was supporting it.

they offered me share. i said no. it tanked.
posted by klanawa at 8:47 PM on November 20, 2007

Welcome to life at a startup. Personally, I wouldn't write the letter, here are the reasons:

- Monthly payment isn't illegal, I myself get paid monthly for a legitimate job.
- Lights hanging in the ceiling is probably what 517 said, it's a drop ceiling, and they probably don't have enough money to finish paying the contractors.
- Not enough computers can be fairly common in startups, at a few places I worked at, employees would just bring their own systems to work. Another money issue indicator.
- Which brings us to part four: The company is running out of money. This is one of the risks of working for a startup. You work your ass off for the thrill of creating something new, building something from the ground up, and possibly making a lot of money in the process. But there is a much higher risk of financial instability. I've worked for a few companies where paychecks were missed with increasing frequency. Chances are management (and the publisher) know all this, and they're still trying to save the company. While it might be frustrating to not have insurance (and they should have told you they were dropping it), the other option could be to shut down the company.

So, there are a lot of things employees can do at this point. Getting the hell out of dodge, as you did, is a valid choice. But so is sticking it out in the hope it will pay off. If you write a letter to anyone, I'd suggest writing a letter to the poor designers and underlings who are stuck there. Tell them now is the perfect time to renegotiate for more stock options, or more shiny baubles or whatever they enticed you with to start in the first place.
posted by formless at 9:07 PM on November 20, 2007

I was you - I wrote the letter - time and maturity have made it one of the few things I regret doing. You will 100% - no matter how many time you write and edit that letter - come off as a whiny , spoiled kid. The market has a way of making sure these kinds of operations get their just rewards. They won't be able to keep good people if the conditions are really as bad as you say.
I am in the same industry as the person to whom I wrote that letter - and some 12 years later I still see him around and he obviously still associates that letter with me today.
Living well is your best revenge. Move on. You have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.
posted by Wolfie at 9:32 PM on November 20, 2007

Wolfie, you shoulda written a better letter. ;)
posted by rokusan at 10:13 PM on November 20, 2007

See: Pyhrric victory
posted by KokuRyu at 11:02 PM on November 20, 2007

the senior management team has to be lying, because i don't think any decent person out there would allow what is happening to happen.

Yeah, CEOs aren't always decent people. I was invited during my exit interview to speak up about the problems with my section. I'm so glad I didn't, because the casual work I'm getting there just wouldn't be happening.

Examine your motives.
If you're trying to rescue your fellow employees, that's their responsibility. They can complain to a variety of bodies or email the CEO. Up to them to do it. You're not their mum.

If you want to get back at management, don't. The best revenge really is success, and these sort of things usually backfire on the whisteblower, really. You don't want your current employer to hear how you ratted out middle management, do you? Because your new middle management will think you're going to do it again, and try to get you to leave before you do.

Seriously, I think it'd be satisfying, initially, but fraught with danger for you. Fantasise about it, but don't do anything.
posted by b33j at 12:32 AM on November 21, 2007 [1 favorite]

Some cynical advice - good for you you have another job. Leave acting like you regret having to go. No matter how much you hate it, suck it up and don't burn any bridges. You never know if you might need a reference or a contact.
posted by objdoc at 2:03 AM on November 21, 2007

Go ahead, buddy. Satisfy yourself. But do it right.

Check with state labor board. See if any of this stuff really is illegal. If it actually is, then write them a letter, and CC the faraway boss.

If you really feel like doing the footwork. Really, if you want to come off as anything but a whiner-- even though whining sounds warranted in this case-- you'll have to have more to go on.
posted by koeselitz at 8:46 AM on November 21, 2007

I think writing a letter is fine so long as your motives are clear. If you want to write a letter for "revenge" -- to call out those who treated you badly -- don't. The world is a surprisingly small place, and you never know who you'll run into again.

However, if you genuinely want to improve things for your (soon to be former) coworkers, I think an extremely polite, extremely succinct letter would be fine. Make sure your criticism is constructive: don't focus on injustices in the distant past. Also, be sure to end on a positive note -- emphasize that you leave valuing your time at Company X (even if you don't). Write the letter, let a friend read it, and then sit on it for a few days to be sure that you're sending it for the right reasons.

BTW, I second/third/fourth the other commenters that have pointed out that there's nothing wrong with being paid monthly.
posted by designmartini at 10:20 AM on November 21, 2007

I wouldn't bother. Really, what's the point? Do you want to this company to succeed, or let the market do its thing and have them run aground for lack of money and talent. If your coworkers are smart and competent, they'll have no problem finding a better job. As for the shady managers and CEO, they are the only ones who would really benefit from improvement, and they'll have the greatest liability when things go belly up. As others have said, living well is the best revenge. Getting out is the best thing you could've done. Enjoy your new job!
posted by slogger at 11:26 AM on November 21, 2007

The people who are advising you to move on with your life have talked me out of the advice I gave you.
posted by evariste at 1:33 PM on November 21, 2007

I'm feeling the same way as evariste. It's like I've had my own cooling off period, and, eh, your ex-coworkers are in charge of their own careers. The world is small and you don't want to risk running into the shadies again. Nothing sounds *illegal*, just new, penniless, and poorly-run. Let it figure out its own destiny, as zillions of other companies do.

But if you do write, take the advice here about what to write. :)
posted by iguanapolitico at 4:02 PM on November 21, 2007