# How would you react to this Big corperate situation? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743 "2012-09-25T03:12:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/1 "2012-09-25T03:12:38Z")
**The Hypothetical:** You work for Super Giant Big Company[sup]tm[/sup] (SGBC). The Brass tell the employees that wich ever department comes up with the best idea for a greener office, (Recycling paper, cans, plastic bottles, etc…) gets a $500 bonus check for each member of that team. Then there’s Joe. Joe used to work in your department, but right before this contest was announced, he was transfered to another department. The contest comes and goes and your team wins. The thing is though, due to a paper work error, Joe got a bonus check too. Even though he didn’t help, he got a check. Thanks to someone’s screw up in HR. You find out Joe got a bonus check. What do you do? (Knowing we wasn’t supposed to get one.) (Poll to follow) ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/2 "2012-09-25T03:18:07Z")
Nothing. I can’t see any benefit to me from saying anything. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/3 "2012-09-25T03:30:07Z")
That’s a mighty big blunder on someone’s part… But I wouldn’t say anything. If the matter was officially published (company newsletter, email, whatever) then someone who has direct responsibility for such oversight will probably catch it. (And the guy who messed it up will also “catch it!”) And if it isn’t officially published, then how do I _know_ that it happened this way? If I actually were the guy who was in charge of the department…then…yeah, I’d notify someone higher up the chain. But if I’m just a node on the great organization chart of life, then, no, it isn’t my business. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/4 "2012-09-25T03:30:33Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Nothing. I can’t see any benefit to me from saying anything. Bingo. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/5 "2012-09-25T03:44:23Z")
Not a damn thing. Over a $500 check? Good on Joe. Also, it’s NEVER good to point out an error made by HR, even if you are right. They have access to your files and records, and vengeance will be theirs! Keep your head down, and stay off of HRs radar screen, especially when you are pointing out a mistake that was probably made by one of the sacred cows of HR. If it doesnt cost anyone on the team from collecting their full share, leave it be. The better ethical question would be, if you were Joe, would you five the momeynback? ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/6 "2012-09-25T04:39:15Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > . . . The better ethical question would be, if you were Joe, would you five the momeynback? Alas, yeah, I would. (I’d make the offer reluctantly, hoping to angle for sympathy…) Because, months later, right during Christmas shopping season, some bean-counter is going to spot the error and demand the money back, and it’ll look bad. By offering to pay it back, you show “good faith.” Also loyalty and citizenship. And sheep-like subservience; they like that. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/7 "2012-09-25T04:45:17Z")
I’d blackmail Joe into picking up my bar tabs for the next two weeks. No, seriously now, good for Joe. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/8 "2012-09-25T04:59:07Z")
No snitches so far. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/9 "2012-09-25T07:04:14Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > But if I’m just a node on the great organization chart of life, then, no, it isn’t my business. Heh, I like that. My current idiom is: “I’m just a pawn in this corporate game of chess.” ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/10 "2012-09-25T12:50:09Z")
Joe did nothing dishonest. Joe getting a check doesn’t change the quality of my life. I would do nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/11 "2012-09-25T13:00:10Z")
Snitches get stitches. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/12 "2012-09-25T13:07:01Z")
I don’t believe in that stupid (sorry, Loach) adage: Snitches get stitches, because all too often that’s been applied to not telling things that are important. You see someone doing something criminal? Don’t give me that snitches are stitches crap. But in this case, I’d never say a thing, except maybe congratulate Joe (if he knew I knew). It’s not coming out of my pocket! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/13 "2012-09-25T13:12:56Z")
I wouldn’t say anything, but in every single office I’ve worked in my career, there’s been at least one busybody who would delight in raising a stink about it. And if I got it in error, I’d return it. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/14 "2012-09-25T13:17:02Z")
I wouldn’t say anything. That’s on Joe to have integrity. But I wouldn’t want Joe working on my team in the future, if he kept the money without saying anything himself. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/15 "2012-09-25T13:21:09Z")
If I were in that situation, and someone happened to catch the error, I would most likely give Joe some credit for assisting with the idea even before the contest was announced. “Yeah, Joe left on September 1, but we kicked this idea around for a while. My team refined it after the contest was announced, but Joe deserves his share of the credit.” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/16 "2012-09-25T13:26:40Z")
So I’m curious; what was your team’s idea for a “greener office?” ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/17 "2012-09-25T13:56:09Z")
If I were Joe, I’d seek an explanation from whomever was in charge of dolling out the bones. Because it’s the right thing to do, and because it’d suck if the mistake were discovered and corrected later. I’d look dishonest, and I’d have to return $500 I probably wouldn’t have available. But in the OP scenaro I wouldn’t say anything. In a big company memories are long and the politics complex. The guy who works for you today might be your boss in a year–a knife in the back, even if justly placed, is not forgotten. I might put some worry in Joe’s mind with the above ‘what if’ scenario and let him decide what he wants to do, and then put my nose back into my own business. ---
**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/18 "2012-09-25T14:06:47Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Thanks to someone’s screw up in HR. This is what HR is for in big companies, no? They’re delivering on their departmental mission statement of “no task too simple to balls up, no effort too minor to avoid, no question too simple to let it rot unopened in the inbox”. Frankly, $500 is not even worth the trouble of writing a two-sentence email over. They’d reverse the payment three times from two completely unrelated people’s bank accounts while putting all the funds into the wrong cost centres, and then spend three months straightening it all out. This will cost the company many thousands more than if you’d said nothing, which they would then to your department’s salaries & bens line (since you’re the one who raised the issue) and neither you or your colleagues will get a bonus this year. No good deed unpunished, etc. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/19 "2012-09-25T16:04:03Z")
I don’t know, but I am so changing my user name to **five the momeynback**. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/20 "2012-09-25T16:12:55Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > So I’m curious; what was your team’s idea for a “greener office?” Burying Joe’s body in the rose garden, without embalming him? Great fertilizer. In answer to the OP - it is no skin off my nose. It is not like some grand pot of money was equally divided (then I am sure there would have been an uproar), but coughing up an extra $500 for a large corporation is hardly going to send them into bankruptcy. I would agree that, as Joe, I would probably return the money…but then again, I am sure Joe could rationalize the windfall as back pay for other ideas/work he has done that was not rewarded. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743.md?page=2)