Is it unethical to copy a document created by former employer (e. g. recipes for chemical etching), print it out, and use it at your current company?

[Anonymous]

One of my coworkers did this.

I think it is unethical.

Yes

Other

No

[DryGermanGuy]

A document that he himself made at that former employer? Unless we are talking about protected trade secrets I don't see too much of an ethical conflict. Taking the work of others with him is over the line, though.

[Asker]

He did not make the document.

[normalice]

Ethics have nothing to do with business. If it isn't illegal it is fair game.

[Asker]

I don't know if it is illegal or legal.

[Asker]

I feel that way of thinking is a bit dangerous. Not too long ago, it was legal to treat other humans as property in the US.

[normalice]

Right. It was legal until they passed a law against it. And then no one was held accountable for having had slaves all that time before it was made illegal. Hell, they were barely held accountable after it was made illegal.

[jahaims]

Morality is subjective. You sound like a sheltered child.

[Asker]

How do you define sheltered? I had trauma growing up (homeless parent, parent going to jail, messy divorce, sibling trying to commit suicide). Was I sheltered from knowing all the details? Yeah...

[Anonymous]

Technically speaking, you would be stealing something that belonged to your old employer. And then using it against them, I would think.

[strateguy632]

this is bad