make the beast with two backs this place

[KnightofNi]

well then it looks like you have made up your mind. 


i say enjoy your time and laugh about the IT mgr getting reamed legally.

[metallimonster]

I say you're in a perfect position.  Nothing holding you from quiting but why not try and go over their heads to see what happens.  Hey, maybe the owners will finally realize and fire the IT Manager and give you the job.  Wouldn't hurt trying especially if you have your lawyer friend to help along the way.

[Bun-bun]

From reading the thread, it sounds like the only reason you're considering leaving is the IT mgr, so why not go to the owners and lay all of your cards on the table(After making sure you have everything documented and in your posossion, of course.) and do the "It's me or her" thing. Worst possible outcome; it's you, and you're ready for that anyway.

[ducpainter]

From reading the thread, it sounds like the only reason you're considering leaving is the IT mgr, so why not go to the owners and lay all of your cards on the table(After making sure you have everything documented and in your posossion, of course.) and do the "It's me or her" thing. Worst possible outcome; it's you, and you're ready for that anyway.

Seems to me it's HR not his direct mgr...who appears to be afraid of HR too.

I don't think you can begin to win in that scenario.

[redxblack]

I quit my old IT job under SLIGHTLY similar circumstances (my "write up" was for missing meetings on general department statuses while I was actively working down servers -- I was the only one certified or empowered to work those servers. It was a new boss trying to show me who was boss. The disciplinary form had a someone else's first name and my last name on it. I refused to sign, and so on).

When it took hiring NINE people to replace what I did alone, I felt vindicated.

I know you're not looking for a payday, but given what you've put up with, I sincerely hope you get one.

[Rev. Millertime]

I'm with the "Stick around a bit and make things miserable for the other 2" camp.

Once you make the decision to leave, things will seem a little less irritating.  Plus, you may get to see the other two squirm a bit!

[Raux]

make sure you have documentation of the manager telling you to install products illegally or she'll pin it on you.

[il d00d]

Looks like you have already made up your mind, so my only advice would be to have clear goals in dealing with this clustermake the beast with two backs.  If it seems like it would be impossible to have your demands met, you have no reason to stay.  If you think there is some wriggle room, you should at least explore the options.  I would, just to know that I didn't leave anything on the table.

Even if your mind is made up, I think going to to the owners would be a good move - I don't like leaving scorched earth behind me when I leave a job no matter what the circumstances.  To me, leaving without stating your grievances to anyone who might be interested or have the power to fix it falls under that category.  Offering an ultimatum would limit their choices in dealing with the problem, so I probably would not do that - I suggest just laying out the facts and telling them what your options have been limited to based on what HR and the manager have done.

It would also make sense to communicate to them directly while you have the chance - there is a pretty good chance the IT and HR folks will wage a pretty aggressive smear campaign against after you go.  I may be superstitious in thinking I have an industry-wide reputation to maintain, but you never know who knows who in the biz.

And hey, good luck in any case 

[Raux]

the other bonus of going to the owners and giving them all the facts and why you have to leave... they may end up calling you for that IT manager job after the place falls on its face when you leave 

[Pip]

I'm very interested to see how this unfolds, dude. Please keep us informed.

[ZLTFUL]

I've documented everything pretty thoroughly. I have made it a point to keep every email she has ever sent me on things that would be considered less than legal.

Most of it is the HR department though.
I think she is outright pissed about the fact that when I negotiated for this job, I was very adamant about getting everything in writing and signed by all parties involved.

[Speedbag]

I hear ya, dude.

I'm thinking I might need a change after only a year and a half at my current gig. The place would be fine if not for the greed-at-any-and-all-costs board of investors that own us coupled with utterly tyrannical upper management. Run just a tad differently, it would be pretty cool place to work, but a few ruin it for everyone. Turnover is rampant (and not always voluntary), yet the baddies don't/won't get it through their heads that it's incredibly damaging to the company when knowledge walks out the door.

[angler]

I own my own business and still get sick of the asshole that runs the place on occasion. 

In my line of work I have to deal with the gov't a lot.  I'm having one of those weeks that makes me want to run off and join the circus.  Good luck with your choice and how it all falls out (or apart).  I agree that taking this higher up can be nothing but good for you and your future.  Be careful not to come across as a whiney pregnant dog, but I'm guessing you don't handle yourself that way.

[Drunken Monkey]

Looks like you have already made up your mind, so my only advice would be to have clear goals in dealing with this clustermake the beast with two backs. 

And I think there might even be a kick-back program for turning in software licensing violations 

[junior varsity]

We won't go into the fact that I have been ordered by the IT manager to violate software licensing laws countless times in my time here (“It's not illegal. We bought that one copy of Adobe CS4 Master Collection. We have every right to install it on 17 computers.” Or “We have Office 2007 already. It came with that one laptop we ordered. Let's upgrade everyone with it. Just make sure you turn off registration and auto updates.”).

my 2 cents on this aspect alone: a license agreement may in fact allow for numerous terminal installs with only one disc. common practice with adobe and several other companies. so this may not be a violation (but it very well could be). i actually studied some of the adobe contracts last semester in an IP licensing law class. the description of the microsoft software copying would be a violation.