Ask HN: Should I do industrial espionage?

4 pointsjahitr10y ago12 comments

Hi all..

I'm an engineer for a large software company.

Lately I was promoted to "not a developer neither a team lead".

They hired someone else to lead the team I'm in. Someone that is clearly lagging behind me in technical aspects.

Now, what is really bothering me is that my lead and the people on top of her are keeping me at the shadows. They don't invite me on meetings. The fuckers don't even eat with me.

So, What about trying to win this game with the help of technology?

What about setting up a spy mic on all of the conferences room sending all the sound via gsm, wifi or something else?

I'm probably not going to be one step ahead but the game is going to be more balanced.

What do you guys think about it? Anyone did this?

Thanks.

12 comments

kafkaesq10y ago

Take a step back, man. This is a very dark, negative path you're contemplating. It doesn't make you a bad person to have these kinds of thoughts (it's part of our neurobiology, basically). But please don't act on them.

Rather, accept the fact that you're basically being blackballed (look up the term if you're not familiar with it), and that these are the preliminary signs that you're about to be fired.

Whether you deserve it (or even partially deserve it) or not doesn't matter (very much) at this stage. These things happen. What does matter is that you accept the rejection gracefully rather than look for ways to fight against it. Which (if they're of the form you're contemplating) might very well backfire.

rtl4910y ago

While this is indeed the most rational and emotionally intelligent course of action in the wake of your recent professional disappointment, have you accounted for the possibility that you're too stupid to pull it off?

jahitrOP10y ago

Yes. I always compare the size of the challenge with my own capabilities. This is one of the methods that lead me to take action or not.

AnimalMuppet10y ago

Um, I'm pretty sure that rtl49 was being sarcastic when saying, "While this is indeed the most rational and emotionally intelligent course of action in the wake of your recent professional disappointment..."

That is: It is most emphatically not either a rational nor an emotionally intelligent course of action.

1 more reply

AnimalMuppet10y ago

You're going to bug your workplace? Are you trying to get fired? Why not just quit?

jahitrOP10y ago

Yes.

No, I'm trying to get intel on my bosses, and in the company future course of action.

I don't like to quit things.

AnimalMuppet10y ago

If you get caught, you're fired. You also are unemployable, and for good reason.

And that good reason should tell you, don't do it. Instead, knock off the Machiavellian spy games, and try to change whatever inside you makes you think this is even a remotely acceptable course of action.

Even if you wind up losing this job, don't do it. There are other jobs. But what you're proposing is a career-destroying move.

davelnewton10y ago

Sure, why not; it's not like it's illegal and unethical or anything. Go nuts.

jahitrOP10y ago

Haha. I like your style.

DrScump10y ago

Have they taken your stapler yet?

jahitrOP10y ago

Yes. But isn't a stapler.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

Ask HN: Should I do industrial espionage?

4 pointsjahitr10y ago12 comments

Hi all..

I'm an engineer for a large software company.

Lately I was promoted to "not a developer neither a team lead".

They hired someone else to lead the team I'm in. Someone that is clearly lagging behind me in technical aspects.

Now, what is really bothering me is that my lead and the people on top of her are keeping me at the shadows. They don't invite me on meetings. The fuckers don't even eat with me.

So, What about trying to win this game with the help of technology?

What about setting up a spy mic on all of the conferences room sending all the sound via gsm, wifi or something else?

I'm probably not going to be one step ahead but the game is going to be more balanced.

What do you guys think about it? Anyone did this?

Thanks.

12 comments

kafkaesq10y ago

Rather, accept the fact that you're basically being blackballed (look up the term if you're not familiar with it), and that these are the preliminary signs that you're about to be fired.

rtl4910y ago

jahitrOP10y ago

Yes. I always compare the size of the challenge with my own capabilities. This is one of the methods that lead me to take action or not.

AnimalMuppet10y ago

That is: It is most emphatically not either a rational nor an emotionally intelligent course of action.

1 more reply

AnimalMuppet10y ago

You're going to bug your workplace? Are you trying to get fired? Why not just quit?

jahitrOP10y ago

Yes.

No, I'm trying to get intel on my bosses, and in the company future course of action.

I don't like to quit things.

AnimalMuppet10y ago

If you get caught, you're fired. You also are unemployable, and for good reason.

Even if you wind up losing this job, don't do it. There are other jobs. But what you're proposing is a career-destroying move.

davelnewton10y ago

Sure, why not; it's not like it's illegal and unethical or anything. Go nuts.

jahitrOP10y ago

Haha. I like your style.

DrScump10y ago

Have they taken your stapler yet?

jahitrOP10y ago

Yes. But isn't a stapler.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse