Generous Salesman Wants To Know If He's An AH For Forwarding Colleague's Email To His Boss And Risking Getting Him Fired

A portion or all of some employees' income is derived from commission. Employers compute commission income in a variety of ways, and there are numerous types.

An employee's compensation based on a sale is called a commission. While some workers receive only a commission, others receive a commission in addition to their base pay.

An employee receives a percentage of the sale as payment when they earn a commission. A company bases an employee's commission on various factors, including their performance, the frequency of their sales, and the volume of their sales.

These elements ensure that remuneration is determined by performance metrics, which encourage workers to close more deals on goods or services. The OP of today's story works in sales.

In the industry, there's a lot of resentment towards sales due to the potential income one can make. That being said, it's all commission-based, and the OP is aware of the reputation salespeople have, so he tries not to embody that stereotype.

The OP is generous and gives a particular employee who works on all his orders a $1,000 bonus more than a handful of times when he closes big deals. This led to the employee feeling entitled to receive something from the OP whenever he closed significant deals.

This employee did not receive a bonus from the OP on one particular major deal, and he expressed his anger in a letter, which resulted in his suspension.

The OP writes

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OP knows the reputation salespeople have, and he tries not to be that way

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OP's mentor made more than he has ever made from any deal on that deal

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Analyzing Workplace Ethics and Communication

Workplace dynamics are often complex, with power imbalances influencing behavior and decision-making.

Dr. Amy Edmondson from Harvard Business School emphasizes the importance of psychological safety in fostering open communication.

When employees feel safe to express concerns, it can prevent situations where unethical behavior is overlooked or exacerbated.

The OP found out the next day that they suspended the guy and are considering firing him

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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a**hole:

I could have just kept everything between us and talked to the guy rather than going to his boss.

Here's a bunch of the topmost comments from other Redditors

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OP is not his direct boss

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In this case, forwarding a colleague’s email without consent raises ethical concerns about trust and respect within the workplace.

Research indicates that undermining a colleague can lead to a toxic work environment, as feelings of betrayal and insecurity can flourish.

Workplace bullying, often stemming from power struggles, can lead to decreased job satisfaction and productivity.

The OP shares bonus amongst other things

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The OP shares more information saying:

I didn't say anything to him because I'm not his superior, and sales reprimanding operations would not have been tolerated. I also wanted him to be punished. This is a highly competitive industry, and salespeople are always heavily recruited. While I have a ton of loyalty to this company, that kind of email could easily have cost them all my business. I can take my customer list and walk away tomorrow. Operations should never be sending out emails like that to sales, ever.

OP said he didn't want him fired

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The OP should keep doing great and spreading the wealth

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The Role of Ethical Leadership in the Workplace

Ethical leadership is crucial in shaping workplace culture and behavior.

According to John Maxwell, a renowned leadership expert, "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." Leaders who model integrity and transparency encourage similar behaviors among team members.

Promoting a culture of accountability can help mitigate the risks associated with unethical behavior, fostering a more collaborative environment, as noted by Charles Duhigg, author and business journalist, who states, "The most successful teams are those that create a culture of accountability."

Hopefully, he goes on to learn from it

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The OP followed the chain of command

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Fulfillment staff may make less in a year

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To navigate complex workplace relationships, fostering open dialogue is essential.

Training in conflict resolution can equip employees with the tools to address grievances constructively.

Research suggests that organizations that prioritize training in emotional intelligence see improved interpersonal relationships and a stronger sense of team cohesion.

Employees benefit from commission-based remuneration because it gives them total control over their income. The use of commission pay by an employer does not, in many cases, restrict an employee's ability to grow their own income.

Redditors say that the OP's generosity was so significant that people started taking him for granted. He was declared not the AH, and you too can drop your own verdict in the comments section below.

Psychological Analysis

This scenario highlights the challenges of navigating workplace relationships, where motives and trust often become intertwined. From a psychological perspective, addressing ethical concerns directly can help establish a culture of respect and accountability.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

Understanding workplace dynamics and ethical behavior is key to maintaining a harmonious environment.

As research shows, fostering a culture of transparency and open communication can mitigate conflicts and prevent unethical practices.