I moved oversees to work for Facebook, I was excited about the job and started working really hard. I am a person who forgets things easily, so I usually record meetings and later listen to them again carefully to take proper notes. One day a coworker noticed that I am recording, he/she reported it to Facebook and an investigation team started following up on the case. My manager came to me and asked if I’ve been recording meetings the whole time, I was so worried and nervous and said no. There was also no evidence because I deleted the recordings before anyone check my phone. A couple of days later, I had a meeting with the investigation team and decided to tell them the truth, I didn’t want to build my career on a lie, and I lied only because I was very nervous and afraid to lose a career that I moved oversees for. When the investigation team knew about it, and my manager knew, they were shocked. A couple of weeks later, I was fired for “not passing the probation period”. Now I totally understand I was wrong and should’ve asked if it’s ok to record meetings, then later should’ve not lied, but it was a mistake, I was too worried, and later I told them the truth, I could’ve kept lying and no one was able to prove it, but I didn’t. Do you think I deserved being fired? Wasn’t it better to give me a warning instead of getting fired? I moved with my spouse (who quit their job for this) to move to this country and I ended up experiencing the saddest story of my life. I am diagnosed with intermediate depression now.
Yes. Recording without consent is a big breach of trust. I would have fired you on the spot.
You could have asked on blind before you decided anything at your investigation.
I didn’t know about Blind then.
Posting on blind is definitely not gonna help with the depression
it will absolutely help with depression. from intermediate it will go into advanced.
Meetings at Amazon get recorded all the time, so that they can be watched by those who weren’t there. Always, though, the person doing this announces that it’s happening. I think that’s the piece you were missing. Recording someone talking, who is not a public figure in a public setting, is creepy.
Recording with a company tool is different than recording with a personal device. Op could’ve been okay if he atleast used a company tool.
Sorry this happened to you, and yes, it’s grounds for termination. I highly suggest taking notes during meetings if you’re forgetting. I’m hoping you were doing this instead of recording your lectures in high school and (assuming) college.
Sorry to hear that... your ex colleague is a snake to report you. They could tell you that you might get into the trouble because of it. Hopefully, karma will get them... i hope you’ll find a new job soon!
Yeah, snitches get stitches. People reporting unethical/illegal things? I hate them. I hope one day I can live in a world where that never happens. Then everyone can just do whatever they feel like :)
What if you’re not aware that you’re doing something illegal? I’m sure she/he’d stop recording if they simply tell her/him that it’s unethical. I guess some of people lack of empathy. I’d feel bad if someone lost a job because of me. Especially that she/he wasn’t aware of doing something illegal. We’re not talking about a homicide, so i suggest to relax :)
Sounds like you were attending every meeting twice anyways
Absolutely deserved to be fired. This is one of the more egregious things I have heard on this site. Recording people without their consent is unethical.
And illegal in many places
If you are working in California, you should feel blessed they are not sending you to jail. Recording audio without consent is illegal in CA.
I know a DA in NorCal who may be able to figure out the details and see about criminal charges. I’ll follow up if they decide to pursue/tell me about it
What purpose would that serve?
Cool story