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Topic: Ethics question: Does swag belong to you?
| Author | Message |
| cali1296 | Posted – 10/28/2007 9:18:21 PM | show profile I'm an assistant editor at a magazine. Another assistant editor, who handles the entertainment section, receives three to eight packages a day from record companies, publishing houses and PR agencies containing mostly books, DVDs and CDs. He occasionally reviews a DVD that interests him, but he takes home the vast majority of stuff he receives. He was recently out of work for a month with a back injury and his girlfriend came into the office every other day, gathered up the packages and took them home to him. Nobody said anything. In fact, one day I was roped into going to his house for a visit with our boss (who is friends with him) and a few other colleagues to visit him and we all carried large bags of packages that he received at the office. I know he keeps some of the stuff for his own personal use and there is a rumor, which I'm trying to confirm through some sleuthing, that he's selling some of the stuff on eBay and pocketing the money. I've only been at the magazine for three months, but I want to blow the whistle on him and tell the publisher that something about this seems unethical. When I worked for other publications, we'd turn in the promo stuff we received and a few times a year we'd have a silent auction with all of the proceeds donated to charity. Is it OK for him to take home all of this stuff and do whatever he wants with it? I'm a little hesitant to say anything since I've only been there a short time. What are your thoughts? Thanks. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 10/29/2007 12:21:17 AM | show profile Some publications have rules about things like this; some don't care. I am sure you would get a wide range of opinions here about the ethics of all this, but the key thing is it seems like everyone in the office -- including your and his boss -- knows exactly what he's doing and doesn't seem to care. So if it were me, I wouldn't go over my boss's head to the publisher and "blow the whistle" -- for all you know, the publisher already knows and doesn't care much either. Again, if it were me, after three months on the job this isn't a battle I would choose to take on and I wouldn't do any sleuthing about what the guy does with the stuff. This is a situation where you could make some enemies at work really fast and personally I wouldn't consider this a big enough issue to risk that on. |
| cali1296 | Posted – 10/29/2007 2:43:45 AM | show profile Dribble, that makes a lot of sense. I guess it's not worth pursuing at this point. I should also point out, though, that our boss is good friends with the person in question and they hang out on weekends. They don't have a normal work relationship and I think the boss lets many things slide. This boss is also aware that this person is freelancing for a competing magazine on company time ans says nothing. That's a much bigger issue, actually. The publisher is also aware of this, but hasn't approached the guy yet presumably because of the guy is going through several back surgeries over the next few months. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 10/29/2007 3:21:40 AM | show profile Yet another reason to let it go, Cali, because of your place on the totem pole. Something I have struggled with over the years is when to let things slide, when to let them go. If it's not a matter of moral turpitude, just a question of moral fiber, I'd let the looter enjoy his swag. Save your whistle blowing for when the print shop guys are manufacturing fake IDs in exchange for drugs -- something big like that. |
| WritingSoul | Posted – 10/29/2007 4:49:55 AM | show profile I wonder why you're so concerned about something like this? Why does THIS matter so much to you? Writers who cover DVDs get them all the time. Ditto for beauty writers who get product samples. Some they cover, some they don't. Those can be considered perks for freelancer, or space wasters that are tough to rid of. Maybe there is some ethical line there, but it's not a very clear one, nor a very important one...and again, I wonder why you make this your business. Something about it doesn't sit right with me. Do you hate the guy or something? |
| writesonwater | Posted – 10/29/2007 5:29:52 AM | show profile Certainly it may seem unfair that some editors, by virtue of what they cover, get all kinds of stuff, while those of us with less swaggish posts get sweet nada. Best to get over it and keep your eyes on your own desk. The other thing, the relationship between one editor and an ME or publisher -- that's definitely how things go. People don't just have favorites -- they hire people they like and are comfortable with, and while they can't be bosom buds with everyone in the office, they may have a soulmate within the ranks. That may feel improper to you now, but after you've been in the business for a while, you may be the soulmate. And it does come with a double-edged sword, because falling out of favor could mean losing a friend and a job as well. Which leaves the rest of the office either to suck it up, suck up -- or find somewhere else to make an in. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 10/29/2007 5:38:49 AM | show profile The other thing is that if you've been there for a short while, it might be best to avoid putting yourself in the police role (of any sort -- swag, who moonlights where, who sleeps with who, whose skirt's too short and who smells like a hangover -- anything short of dealing drugs out of the circulation department. And if you're looking to get along with people, I wouldn't make a big deal of it with your coworkers either. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 10/29/2007 8:00:47 AM | show profile I agree with Writing Soul. What is this to you?? Reviewers get free stuff all the time. yes, they usually get to keep it and do what they want with it. I got lots of free CDs when I reviewed music. What business is it of yours what he does with the loot? |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 10/29/2007 12:36:46 PM | show profile Honestly, I think you really need to read some good books on office politics. If you already knew this guy was pals with the editor and publisher, and you knew that those two know some of the things he was doing that you consider unethical, I can't understand why you would pursue this for a second or snoop into what the guy was doing. The publisher and the editor -- not you -- are the ones who decide whether an editor taking home swag and freelancing for others on company time is unacceptable. If they know, it's not really any of your business. You can really sabotage your career snooping into coworkers about things that don't concern you. --Dribble, that makes a lot of sense. I guess it's not worth pursuing at this point. I should also point out, though, that our boss is good friends with the person in question and they hang out on weekends. They don't have a normal work relationship and I think the boss lets many things slide. This boss is also aware that this person is freelancing for a competing magazine on company time ans says nothing. That's a much bigger issue, actually. The publisher is also aware of this, but hasn't approached the guy yet presumably because of the guy is going through several back surgeries over the next few months.00 |
| annabel | Posted – 10/29/2007 12:38:18 PM | show profile Actually, lots of offices have loot distribution policies so that everyone gets some of the swag. |
| Marie | Posted – 10/29/2007 1:27:35 PM | show profile Giving the excess swag to charities is very nice (women's shelters really appreciate the creams and cosmetics and shampoos, etc), and that's what you can choose to do with exces swag that you might accumulate in your career. If this guy is freelancing for a competitor, eventually, it's going to hurt your publication, and then the editor and publisher can face the consequences of allowing that. I agree with everyone. Stay out of this, and console yourself that you'll handle your swag differently (eventually, everyone gets some). Someone else said it well: "Focus on your own desk." If you're that uncomfortable, get another job at a place that has stricter policies on this. |
| Metro Writer | Posted – 10/29/2007 1:59:52 PM | show profile It's unethical, but stay out of it because you will only become a victim of office politics. |
| Suet | Posted – 10/30/2007 11:25:34 AM | show profile To Hell with Office Politics People do messed up things because others defer over office politics. Somewhere, at some level there is someone who cares about doing what is objectively right rather than what suits someone's ego etc. This leads to inefficiencies, stress, b.s., etc., that ultimately are counterproductive. In this case I think there's a grey area that should be delineated - folks are correct to say that it's ultimately the decision of the higher-ups. But I would not discourage anyone at any level from learning about something they thought was wrong and if appropriate taking action. You just have to allow for the possibility that you're wrong, and take no for an answer. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 10/30/2007 1:05:58 PM | show profile Well, what's your goal? To crusade, to make a difference, to claim the moral high ground, to be the kind of person who matters? Or to be employed? If, in this tight marketplace, you want to employed, then keep your eyes on the prize == and your own desk. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 10/30/2007 1:38:17 PM | show profile Yes, but the appropirate action here -- if the issue really concerns the guy -- is to address the company policy about swag with his boss rather than focus on what his coworker is doing. But realistically, this is probably not an important enough issue to focus on during your first few months on the job. --In this case I think there's a grey area that should be delineated - folks are correct to say that it's ultimately the decision of the higher-ups. But I would not discourage anyone at any level from learning about something they thought was wrong and if appropriate taking action. You just have to allow for the possibility that you're wrong, and take no for an answer.-- |
| WritingSoul | Posted – 10/30/2007 2:17:09 PM | show profile Are you just upset because he's not sharing the swag? Seriously. Who does this hurt? |
| WritingSoul | Posted – 10/30/2007 2:17:16 PM | show profile Are you just upset because he's not sharing the swag? Seriously. Who does this hurt? |
| Marie | Posted – 10/30/2007 3:17:01 PM | show profile Actually, the companies that send this stuff expect the receiver to keep all the stuff, whether they actually write something or not. Yes, some receiving companies donate the extras to charity, some companies run beauty sales or DVD sales for the staff and donate those proceeds to a charity of everyone's choosing (one of the women's mags I worked for did this). Some editors who receive this stuff just leave it out, and anyone who wants something is free to take it (that's how it is where I work now). The companies who send it absolutely do not want it back. If it helps you, inquire innocently what your company's policy is on this stuff. Don't mention any co-worker. You could be inquiring for your own knowldege, so you'll know when you start getting stuff. If the guy is reselling the stuff on eBay and keeping the proceeds, I would find that morally despicable, but again, I wouldn't consider it my business. Just pat yourself on the back that you're a person of higher moral caliber. |
| cali1296 | Posted – 10/31/2007 1:20:46 AM | show profile Thanks, everyone. I agree completely that I need to stay out of it. I've only been there for three months. And no, I am not jealous that he gets these things. I get my share of free stuff, but in the form of comped show tickets. I review shows, and a friend pointed out that my coworker getting this stuff is almost like me getting comps, picking them up at the will call counter, reselling them scalper-style and pocketing the money. After I wrote my initial post, I actually came across this guy's eBay store in which he's selling items that he received at work. I know this because I sit behind him and I know what he gets. There is a policy against selling items received as a result of being employed with this company. Why do I care? First of all, he's a nightmare to work with. Bad writer, arrogant, emptyheaded -- thoroughly unlikeable. But really, I'm just offended. I think it's because my background is in newspapers, in which a great emphasis is placed on ethical behavior. But, bottom line -- I'm staying out of it. A few other people know about the eBay store (one is the manager of another department) so I'm sure one of them will say something to the publisher. |
| designtime | Posted – 10/31/2007 9:31:00 AM | show profile Cali -- Are you saying that you scalp the tickets you get for your position? Or were you being hypothetical? If it is something you are doing I'm glad you were able to realize that what you're doing is just as unethical as what he's doing. That's a hard light to shine on yourself and you should commend your self -- really -- for being able to see that. I didn't see in your post that he was freelancing for competitors -- though the other posters seemed to say he was. Did I miss that? It seemed all he was doing was selling the stuff? |
| slink | Posted – 10/31/2007 9:39:07 AM | show profile >>There is a policy against selling items received as a result of being employed with this company. I think you just made that up. |
| designtime | Posted – 10/31/2007 9:46:13 AM | show profile Oops! just saw it. That would burn me too, Cali. I've been in a situation where someone was doing that -- and not meeting their deadlines for their core job because of they were freelancing for someone else. It's really frustrating to play by the rules and work hard and see someone just gte away with murder. Unfortunately, not all companies have great moonlighting policies and aren't willing to enforce them. The good thing is that eventually, these people get their comeuppance. It takes a long time, but nobody gets away with cutting corners forever. Staffs change and his fans will leave to other departments. Make no mistake -- if it's so well known what he's doing, you can bet that not everyone is so cool this person and his performance. Things will shift and when the guard changes it will be harder for him get away with all that. Keep your head high, and wait. |
| cali1296 | Posted – 10/31/2007 12:42:48 PM | show profile No, designtime, I do not scalp tickets. WTF? |
| writesonwater | Posted – 10/31/2007 6:01:57 PM | show profile So is mag swag better than rag swag? |
| writesonwater | Posted – 10/31/2007 6:05:53 PM | show profile and would porn swag be shag mag swag? and old ladies mag swag be hag mag swag? and gossip rag swag be wag rag swag? maybe outdated swag could be swag lag? or a swag purse could be a bag swag. or patriotic swag could be flag swag ... comic relief swag might be gag swag ... mountain bike swag could be crag swag ... At any rate, we all like to snag swag ... |
