Say someone has a coworker/friend that gets really upset at you for no reason. Maybe they have anger issues, who knows. Say while they're upset, they may or may not text you something that could be deemed as a threat to your work place, but you know that it is a joke if this person said such a thing. Say that if such situation happened, you may or may not have taken a screen shot of said conversation in order to protect yourself from any reprocussions at work if said situation results in you possibly being screwed over. Say you then got pissed at said person, and in casual conversation about you getting screwed over, you may or may not have shown said message to another coworker to prove you wouldn't get screwed over(big mistake). Say "another coworker" tells the boss about the conversation. What are the potential reprocussions for not cooperating? Say if the workplace essentially threatens you telling you to produce the text or else their IT will look through your phone for you and find it, is this even legal? Seems like a violation of constitutional rights.... But then again, if there was an actual threat (there isn't), and it is carried out, something's gonna give. What would you tell someone to tell their friend whom is in a situation like this?
Sounds like you are going to have to show the text. Either way I'm afraid it will come across as you trying to start stuff.
Who pays for the phone service and the phone? If you're in Texas they can pretty much fire you for nothing so it sounds like you're screwed.
I just don't understand why you saved it even though you knew it was a joke. Sounds like you planned on blackmailing them.
What if you're in a meeting and you whip out your schlong and use it as a ruler? Is that sexual harassment/indecent exposure or a new effective, practical tool for measuring that your boss will compliment you on and will ultimately lead to a promotion?
I would think if it's a company paid phone they have the right to look at it. If it's your own phone (you bought it and pay the monthly bill) I would say they don't have a right to look at it. However if they're so bent on knowing what was said they probably have other means to get you to show them or fire you for another reason. Talk to an attorney.
I'm lost. Rewrite the original post with out all the may and may not haves and just tell us what happened. I'm sure there are plenty other things 3" long you could use as a ruler.
Nope, my own personal phone. It sucks because this conversation was a private conversation amongst us, and I know he was joking about the conversation. I think our management just has it out for him for some reason. Our manager is shady, and to an extent, HR, too. Like, for instance, our manager somehow finds out confidential exit interview answers, and then holds grudges against past employees. What really sucks is that HR tells me that this could possibly be a criminal issue, which is just utterly ridiculous. On one hand, I feel like telling them that I will not surrender anything without a warrant, but on the other hand, what if something did happen (which I know it won't). I also feel very uncomfortable about being responsible for putting an end to a buddy of mine's job, and possibly career. On the other hand, it seemed like they were implying that I could lose my job if I don't cooperate, which seems a little shady to me. I'm a model employee... Lesson learned, never trust a coworker, I guess.
You planned on blackmailing your buddy with a joke he made. Don't blame the coworker that you showed the text to, this is all on you.
