37
I fucked up (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

So I've got laid off recently and I decided I wanted to keep my projects that I worked on as a reference for myself, I wouldn't sell them or anything like that, just bits of code I created. So I just went and copied pretty much everything relevant to me off my work laptop, only local files, nothing really super confidential, just code projects for specific inhouse usage and documentation about them. Also my personal folders where I did have a few personal things as well, just so I don't lose access to those. I wouldn't have used it for anything but personal reference, like I wouldn't even know what else to do with it. Stupid, I know. Well, they found out, with some DLP software I didn't know we had. So now I will have to go and meet, my bosses, hr and legal. Don't know how that is going to go, I will just say I'm sorry, I deleted everything in a panic, which probably was also dumb, but I'll bring my laptop and the wiped drive that I used. I am just really really nervous and I could throw up.

Edit: Thank you for all your support, I've survived the gauntlet, I am still miffed by the whole ordeal but now it's over and, surprise, I had nothing just as I told them.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] [email protected] 17 points 3 weeks ago

Bring nothing for them, admit nothing. Consult a lawyer for a few hundred to get advice.

Depending on the size of the company and severity of the information in question, you just need to say very noncommital and very specific phrases (lawyer speak):

I understand your concerns, however I think there has been a misunderstanding. How can I help resolve your concerns?

Again consult a lawyer. And tread the fine line between being contrite and admitting anything. Even in my advice I almost worded it wrong. See a lawyer. You admit nothing concrete because your admissions become fact, give them nothing without a lawyer, because even if you truly did give them the only PC and USB stick with it on it, acknowledge nothing directly (again this becomes admission in a legal sense). Whatever evidence they have right now, it is on them to prove intent unless you do it for them. And they don't want to spend on legal fees for no reason.

In the end you want them to have the feeling that this was truly a misunderstanding while giving no admissions to concrete actions like copying, moving, or replicating any data. They may have records, but that's a different matter.

It may be that a lawyer could just act as an intermediary to clarify, and ask what evidence they might need to feel assured in the safety of their IP. Note: most documents produced while at an employer are technically company IP in most cases, and you aren't alone wanting to reference your own code work, but many companies are paranoid about this for good reason.

Try not to lose your nerve. You just need to plant your feet, and keep in mind you have done nothing wrong morally. You have fucked up technically, but your mission now is to keep their trust in your somehow without digging your hole any deeper. So again, speak with a lawyer and get the right language.

The company does not want to waste money suing you. So don't hand them an obvious violation that have to pursue. Try to keep it together. Remember your intent. And convey that, as obliquely and in indirect statements as you can.

I don't want any issues with XXXX corp, and always planned to have a good reference from my time here. The files XXX Corp is concerned with today hold no value to me, only my personal photos and data do. If you could acknowledge there's been no wrongdoing I think we can easily resolve all this.

Avoid the temptation to let them set the terms too much. They will ask for devices and hardware. What you want is a document clearing you of any wrongdoing before you provide anything that could be used against you. Then handing things over might be okay. Again. Speak to a lawyer, even briefly.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Thank you for your reply, I will keep that in mind. Sadly I don't have time anymore to go see a lawyer on such short notice, but I will keep in mind to keep it short and stick to the misunderstanding, and when in doubt I will say I need to discuss this with legal council and not sign anything without doing so.

this post was submitted on 26 May 2025
37 points (100.0% liked)

Off My Chest

1294 readers
40 users here now

RULES:


I am looking for mods!


1. The "good" part of our community means we are pro-empathy and anti-harassment. However, we don't intend to make this a "safe space" where everyone has to be a saint. Sh*t happens, and life is messy. That's why we get things off our chests.

2. Bigotry is not allowed. That includes racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and religiophobia. (If you want to vent about religion, that's fine; but religion is not inherently evil.)

3. Frustrated, venting, or angry posts are still welcome.

4. Posts and comments that bait, threaten, or incite harassment are not allowed.

5. If anyone offers mental, medical, or professional advice here, please remember to take it with a grain of salt. Seek out real professionals if needed.

6. Please put NSFW behind NSFW tags.


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS