Do I delete my files

[latarpley]

What is the name of your state? GA

I am leaving my job in a few weeks. My computer at work was used for email purposes. I am a paperless person and used my computer for just about everything. Everything that is on my computer was copied to my boss on printed paper. Everything that is required I keep on printed paper is done. I just don't have copies in my office of all my correspondence and personnel issues. I back up regularly. Several of my files are Excel templates that I personally created for my benefit and are only used by me. Do I need to leave these files or should I delete them. I am not secure knowing these files could be edited at a later date. I am not trying to be vindictive only using caution for files with my name attached to them. I will not be destroying information only eliminating computer access.

 

[Beth3]

Ask your boss. Even though you created them, you presumably did so on company time for work related purposes. That means your employer "owns" them. Ask your manager how he/she would like the files handled and what your concerns are.

 

[loserrr]

start with this......... erase all your email files..then run this program it with really delete the files......

http://www.theabsolute.net/sware/clndisk.html

There are more programs.

Clean out all your excel files......get everything off the computer then you want to clean all free space and the windows Swap file

http://www.briggsoft.com/dsnoop.htm

 

[latarpley]

i am not concened with email - the email system is intratnet. I am strict about my email usage and will contact MIS to disable my password the last day.

I am just concerned about the possibiliy of altering files that I have created. Beleive it or not, I am not required to even use my computer; very few DM's nation wide have them. No one is very computer savy and my excel spreadsheets, macro's, etc... are quite an envy. I have been ask to modify these for other DM's. I gladly do this, but I lock everything so no changes can be made or formula's seen. I am told all these things I do are a feather in my cap, ha,ha, ha. I work for a company that gives feathers for good accomplishments and expects written documentation on everthing else. There was not one file on the computer that was business related when I arrived 2 years ago. I still give my boss instructions on how to use Outlook. My boss has a large tendency to try to take credit for my work. He would take my spreadsheet and have his wife change things he wanted and take credit for completed project. Now I lock and hide everthing. I have quite a few feathers but still no pay increment. I an going to use the feathers to fly the hell away.

 

[Beth3]

So your company isn't computer savy and your boss takes credit for some of your work. So what. Your situation is hardly unique. So what if they alter the files you created. You're leaving some spreadsheets behind, not your knowledge.

The bottom line is that you created those spreadsheets on company time and the company owns your work product. You can delete them if you want and you can also find yourself at the end of a lawsuit for the damages your actions cause your ex-employer. Did it ever occur to you that individuals get hired BECAUSE they bring new skills and knowledge to the employer?

 

[latarpley]

Thank you Beth3 for your insights. I guess that I am being a little vindictive in my thoughts. I will leave everything and also give them the access passwords and let them do what they wish. I am going into a completely different field of work and will have no need for files.

In thinking ahead, I may be in for extra consulting fees after I leave. Is there any upaid obligation for further assistance after my termination? What is the going rate for computer consulting now days? My job is actually production supervision, not MIS, not technical suppport, but more people management. The computer work I have done shortens my busy work by two-thirds and allows more time in the production facilites. My transition time will have to be spend on the trade and company guidlines. Computer training will have to come from someone else.

 

[Beth3]

You're making the right choice. Among other things, you will someday want a positive reference from this employer and deleting spreadsheets you created would leave a very bad taste in the employer's mouth and probably come back to bite you down the road.

As far as the going rate for computer consultants goes, that is all over the map and there are many variables involved.

On the occasion my employer has had someone resign and we've needed his/her expertise on a consulting basis for a period of time following, we've used an hourly rate based upon the individual's salary at the time they left. So if they were making $75,000/year, the hourly consulting fee was $36.00 (annual salary divided by 2080 hours.) If you can negotiate a better rate for yourself, then by all means give it a try. Again, I'd advise you to be reasonable. It's always smart to leave a job on the best possible terms.

Good luck with your new opportunity.

 

[latarpley]

appreciate you advice, one last issue

I will be leaving my current employer for a government job. My current employer request 30 day notice due to my position. Here is the problem.

I feel confident if I were to give 2 weeks notice they would list me as being re-hirable, but:

1. The offer of employment with the government is conditional until background check is completed. The offer specifically states do not quit your job.

2. HR for this department told me I may only get one or two days notice before having to report to work.

Problem: I do not have a date to give my employer for any type of notice to quit. And I do not have a confirmed offer. While this new job is more in line with my education and skills, I most likely will get a 'do not re-hire' status at my current position for not giving proper notice. Definately will loose my unsued vacation. (not required by law).

Question: Is there a way to give an open ended notice, but still maintain my job security? I have heard of employers termainating employment after giving notice. This may cause me to be without work until the new job begins, or worse yet, the conditional offer be withdrawn and I could be held to notice.

Any suggestions?

 

[Beth3]

Nope. There is no way to give open-ended notice and maintain your job security. The employer could show you the door on the spot; they could hire somebody immediately for your job and let you go; or they could be sorry that you're leaving but happy to have you for as long as possible and that you provided as much advance notice as circumstances allow.

I don't know if you're going to work for the CIA or whatever, but the gov't agency's position on this is the one that's unreasonable. Don't quit until your background check comes through approved is excellent advice of course but being told that you may only have

 

[Beth3]

Nope. There is no way to give open-ended notice and maintain your job security. The employer could show you the door on the spot; they could hire somebody immediately for your job and let you go; or they could be sorry that you're leaving but happy to have you for as long as possible and that you provided as much advance notice as circumstances allow.

I don't know if you're going to work for the CIA or whatever, but the gov't agency's position on this is the one that's unreasonable. Advising you not to quit until your background check comes through approved is excellent advice of course but being told that you may only have 1 - 2 days notice to start the new one isn't too cool. That virtually guarantees that everyone joining them will be leaving their ex-employers on bad terms. None of this is illegal but it's rather poor form.

What if anything you should tell your current employer depends entirely upon your relationship with them and how trusting you are of them. At the places I've worked, this wouldn't be a problem at all (provided the employee wasn't an on-going royal pain in the fanny and we were thrilled he/she was leaving) and we would have appreciated the advance notice so we had as much time as possible to find a replacement. And if the job fell through and provided we hadn't hired somebody new, we wouldn't have had a problem with the person staying.

Only you can evaluate the intangibles and decide what to tell your employer and when.