I realize this borders on Pit territory, but I’m not quite up to preparing a full-fledged rant, and I want to hear some opinions.
What it boils down to is this:
I am a public university student. I am employed by the university. Today, I witnessed my direct supervisor ask a coworker to look up some facts and figures about various makes of cars. Except, that is completely out of the scope of our job description. He is getting paid for this. Oh, and did I mention–she is involved in a lawsuit concerning a car accident, and her daughter was also recently in an accident.
In other words, she is using tax dollars to finance research for a lawsuit she is involved in.
I want to report this, but there are several mitigating factors:
-it is generally known that we do not get along very well
-I did not actually see the point where the coworker asked what this was for
-my coworker doesn’t want to report it, because, although he recognizes that it is wrong, he thinks it better to do her a favor
So Dopers, what do youthink about this use of your tax dollars.
Frankly, I’ve never had a job that didn’t have as one of the assigned duties something along the lines of “Other duties as assigned or required.”
Sorry I can’t be more supportive, but I don’t see the big deal. If they’re going to be there at work anyway, they aren’t costing the taxpayers any more money regardless of what they’re researching.
Perhaps I should’ve clarified. Neither one of us was actually working (we were in a back office, doing homework, which is permitted). She asked him if he wanted to work on a “project” and agreed to pay him for the time he spent on it. It was not during a regular shift–he’s getting paid extra to do her dirty work. He says it’s not the first time something like this has happened, either.
If the person was already there working, I would say it would be fine because it happens quite a bit, depending on your boss. I’ve had to book airline tickets for my boss once or twice and I’m an accountant–certainly not in the job description. Sometimes you pick your battles, you know? Things like that used to get me fired up when I was younger, but if I’m not being taken advantage of, no biggie.
But since this is a “special” project, I would say that’s definately wrong. Personally, I wouldn’t report it, but that’s because I’m a p*ssy. If you feel strongly enough about it, go ahead. Just be careful, these things tend to get back to the person you are reporting.
I would probably try to change jobs instead. I mean, you’re a part time university employee, so that means you’re pretty low in the food chain. Usually Universities have grievance procedures but it doesn’t sound like you are the aggrieved party.
A lesson to be learned early, never take your boss on unless you’re willing to lose your job.
You are worrying about this way too much. Let him make a few dollars and get on with life. It is obvious you are looking to blast her. You need a better leg to stand on than this research she is requesting he do.