HN Explorer

Ask HN: HELP Got accused of hacking by my older non-tech-savvy coworkers

5 points by thrwwytechsales ↗ HN
Hi fellow Hs,

Obviously this is a throwaway account. I recently joined a company as a tech sales person, but the team I joined is made up of mostly salespersons in their 60s. They are really not experienced with working with computers at all. So while I was doing training, I had shared my screen with them on a conference call, but previously, unrelated to the training I had done Inspect Element on the website so that I can make the website more user friendly for me and to save on time with the clicking, I had however not done any changes to it yet. Mind you, the website is a thirdparty cloud based SaaS dialing system that we use, we dont own the platform, nor we are anyhow affiliated with them. So when I shared my screen they started asking questions about the code that was showing on my screen. Coincidentally just at that moment, the system crashed, and then the coworkers started blaming me that I hacked the system. They called the IT guy, which said that due to end user agreements I should not be doing any edits to the website, and that the correlation is "disconcerning". I dont think anybody understood what he meant by that, and he had an urgent call to respond to so he hopped out of the call. The system started working again, but they continued saying that I hacked the system and that the IT guy confirmed it. Then the work hours finished so they said that they will discuss this in the morning tomorrow. What do I do now?!? I mean its a big corp, and the sales team is mostly 60+ people, with the managers being younger in their 30s or 40s. I tried to explain to them what Inspect Element is but they werent having it. I kinda understand that I shouldnt really be working for this company anymore, but I dont wanna end up losing my job or getting lawsuits or something. I told them that if I could hack the servers I would already be working for the Israeli Government instead of being in tech sales hahaha. I just couldnt stop laughing throughout this whole ordeal.

15 comments

[ 2.4 ms ] story [ 21.9 ms ] thread
[dead] chaganated
lawyer-up. you don't win arguments with retards.
uberman
Ask it to send a representative to the meeting and then publically demonstrate how inspect element works. Then ask the it rep to confirm this is not hacking. Do not attempt to justify the use of inspect or the console as that will just open up a rabbit hole. Ask the IT rep to confirm this is normal browser functionality. I might even open up slack and show how to get the console window in the electron app.
thrwwytechsales
Yeah that would be the same IT guy that came in to the meeting and had to quickly hop off. I assume he would know about Inspect Element. What if he doesn't though? The company is based in a state thats the opposite of tech savvy...
dstep-init
Well someone had to have hired you. Does a CTO exist and if so are you on good terms? I don't think this is about inspect element anymore. Your coworkers revealed their feelings about you. Consider this: if you actually hacked the site for a gag, and they liked you enough, no one would've mentioned anything to the IT guy. This may be a good opportunity for you to jump shop once you are vindicated -with a year's severance for the headache. I wouldn't try to stay at this company unless you have some overriding reason specifically to stay here. Your coworkers view you as disposable. THAT is "disconcerning".
thrwwytechsales
There is a slight problem though. I am hired as a temp at first until the next few months through a temp agency, and with an option to give me a full time position after my contract expires. Do you think I have any legal claims this way? Also, its a very big corp, I was just hired by one of the senior people who are probably 3 superiors away from the VP of sales
uberman
I'm not sure I follow. If this is a "big" company then finding an IT person or programmer who can verify that this is not hacking should be easy. Even if this is a small company, demonstrating that right click on a web page (or ctrl-shift i) likely provides the option to inspect. If this was somehow "hacking", why would chrome provide every user with a "start hacking" button?

If this kind of activity was unethical in any way, why would Mozilla do this:

view-source:https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/

thrwwytechsales
Yeah exactly, but these people are 60+, all salespersons for forever. A computer to them is like alien tool...
uberman
Did you come here to just poke fun at "old" people or is there actually an issue because if there is an issue you seem much more focused on how "old" and "unsavvy" these people rather are than on resolving the issue.

If there actually is an issue and a meeting I'm beginning to think that they are actually just looking for a pretext to fire you, likely because they can tell you think they are old luddites.

dstep-init
Get fired and get a lawyer. You're in for a big paycheck here I think. And you won't be shooting yourself in the foot either. Other tech companies will understand if you spin this in a funny, can-you-believe-these-morons kind of way. You don't want to come off as bitter or angry.

Your relationship with this company is soured even if you are vindicated. I know I personally would not be able to let go of animosity towards the coworkers for being so quick to judge me that way. Who in the favabeans does the IT guy think he is also? He shouldn't be commenting on your actions prematurely, but of course the game of telephone probably distorted his original intent anyways.

Regardless, everyone's going to play CYA and the IT guy will be loathe to take any blame upon himself. He is very likely to find a way, any way, to discredit you and make you look bad.

Don't be rude. Explain yourself and defend yourself. Admit to nothing. You may feel pressured to admit to partial responsibility. Do not admit to anything improper under any circumstances. Do not take fault for any little thing whatsoever under any circumstances. You are legally & morally right here. You will be vindicated. Just stand your ground firmly and respectfully.

thrwwytechsales
There is a slight problem though. I am hired as a temp at first until the next few months through a temp agency, and with an option to give me a full time position after my contract expires. Do you think I have any legal claims this way? Also, its a very big corp, I was just hired by one of the senior people who are probably 3 superiors away from the VP of sales
dstep-init
I have no idea but lawyers provide free consultations for these things. They work on commission typically, so they want you have to a strong case. I would speak to you and see if you have a case. Right now though, nothing has happened and you have no case. Let the company dig their own hole or laugh it off with you. Don't give anyone any ammunition against you. If the IT guy, your manager, external contractors, etc. catch any flak for what happened they'll redirect the blame to you. Just hold your ground and don't yell or get angry.

I also think it's possible you're blowing this up out of proportion and you being a temp would explain why your coworkers didn't have your back. If they're set on firing you, just make sure they throw you some money for the hassle. Is it possible it's not a big deal? It is all kind of ridiculous after all.

thrwwytechsales
Thanks for the help! I would have to see how they will bring this up tomorrow and to assess the situation from there. I will give updates once I know more.
[deleted]
(comment deleted)
[deleted]
(comment deleted)