Dear Kally,
I’m writing in confidence, hoping you will help me. I don’t mind publishing this out however, I must remain anonymous until I decide my next steps otherwise there would be bad consequences for me.
Beginning of this year, I made a mistake in one of my clienteles’ account. Instead of purchasing 15 worth of goods, I made the error of placing 51 worth of goods for them. When my client realizes my mistakes, he threatened to tell my company. You see, my family depends on my income and in the last few years, my dad has become sickly, piling up heavy medical debts that I alone couldn’t have cleared it, if not for the company’s assistance.
My client now wants undisclosed cost price of the current and future new goods from me in exchange for his silence. I have all the information at hand and no one will know if I pass on these pricing to her. I know it is not right but I don’t know what to do, I don’t want to risk my job and getting deeper in debt.
My final decision was to turn my client down until yesterday, my youngest sister told me she was accepted and given a place into one of the prestigious school in our city and she is going to start school in the next semester. I really don’t want to burst her bubble by telling her I won’t be able to afford her fees if I lose my job. I can’t confide in anyone so please help me.
In fact, you are already helping me by hearing my ramblings. So thank you!!
Yours Truly, Erwan A
Dear Erwan,
I am sorry to learn that you have the whole world on your shoulders and you are sagging from the weight of the burden. Without your current problem, I can tell you are already struggling to make ends meet.
Yes, the last thing you need is to be fired from your company. However, do weigh the consequences if you go ahead and reveal the confidential information from your company. That alone is considered fraudulent and it is a crime in many countries. To lose your job, you still able to find another one, be it tougher in this economy but to lose your freedom, should you be charged by the court of law.
I would be honest and tell your boss the mistake you made but also let the company know that you are being blackmailed into revealing sensitive information as well. If there are enough evidence, your company can choose to take legal actions against the client of yours. But because this is your job and this situation has heavy consequences, I urge you to consider carefully. You may wish to consult a private lawyer to see what your next steps are.
With regards to your sister’s education funds, I believe the school will have programs such as scholarship to apply for if her results are great. She should have a talk with the school administrators soon, regardless of the decision you make.
I wish I can advise you more but at this point of time, you need to clear your head rather than to be bogged down with suggestions. Look deep into your heart and conscience, you will do the right thing. If not, you wouldn’t have written to me at all.
Take care, my friend.
Regards, Kally@MiddleMe.net
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