Confidentiallity clause

ben_m_g

Hi all, I have finally handed in my notice in at work, the shouting swearing and constant threats on the entire team have been too much, so today is a slightly nerve racking but a great first step.

Getting to the point, I know my company has been lying to its customers for over a year and a half, all can be documented and proven. Even without the clause in my contract I wouldn't think of ratting them in, it poses no threat to harm anyone, and could well sink my employer.

My concern is that should I eventually work for our customer (of course outside of the competition clause) this information would be vital to the role and needs resolving.
Should I be in that position (and it may be likely as they are a great employer) where do I stand legally?

Thanks all for your comments, I will speak to our HR but I'm sure that they would have their own view on things.

Undervalued

ben_m_g wrote: »

Hi all, I have finally handed in my notice in at work, the shouting swearing and constant threats on the entire team have been too much, so today is a slightly nerve racking but a great first step.

Getting to the point, I know my company has been lying to its customers for over a year and a half, all can be documented and proven. Even without the clause in my contract I wouldn't think of ratting them in, it poses no threat to harm anyone, and could well sink my employer.

My concern is that should I eventually work for our customer (of course outside of the competition clause) this information would be vital to the role and needs resolving.
Should I be in that position (and it may be likely as they are a great employer) where do I stand legally?

Thanks all for your comments, I will speak to our HR but I'm sure that they would have their own view on things.

HR are not there to help you. Their function is to protect the company!

A confidentiality clause cannot lawfully prevent you from reporting illegal behaviour to the proper authorities

bluenoseam

Whistleblower protection would almost certainly cover any confidentiality clause issues - otherwise there'd be no whistleblowers around to shine a light on poor practice!

sangie595

Of course, lying is not necessarily illegal - and lying can also be a matter of perspective. Companies lie all the time - it's often called advertising.

If the OP is ever in the position they describe, they will have to decide whether they can prove their claims. Of course, if they take any proof with them, then that would be a different matter - and possibly theft or another illegal act. If they can't prove their allegations though, I would be cautious in how I approached making allegations against a supplier. The new employer may not appreciate it and dismiss.

ben_m_g

Of course I won't go into details, but for more information:

The lying is that parts are acceptable when they are not sometime 8 times the acceptable standard. This is not an obvious issue but potentially could cause massive issues in 5 - 10 years.

I don't intend to take evidence with me, but companies are required to save paperwork for x years, when asked for this the only option would be to lie again and throw away the evidence. This lack of proof would in itself be an issue.

DKLS

ben_m_g wrote: »

Thanks all for your comments, I will speak to our HR but I'm sure that they would have their own view on things.

Don't contact HR with this, they are not on your side.

getmore4less

If you move to the new company then you can hint that better QA/audit is done on suppliers and get the issue resoved for them

Is this in an industry that requires part tracking as a legal obligation(eg flying).

It seems you say they do keep records but just don't supply them.


DO NOT GO TO HR to ask if it is ok.

pmduk

ben_m_g wrote: »

Getting to the point, I know my company has been lying to its customers for over a year and a half, all can be documented and proven.

You work for a political party?