Re: (OT) Professional Employees: who owns your thoughts?

[neilwatson]

If one plans on developing an idea on their own then the idea should never be mentioned to the employeer. The employer employs you for your work and ideas. If you present an idea to your employer you can expect them to try and use it to there best advantage.

In a world where companies, more often than not, are able to copyright anything, you have to protect yourself. I realize that not sharing information is not productive in the big picture. However, companies have proven time and time again that ethics take a backseat to profits.

Finally I'm going to depress you even more. You may think that not sharing many of your ideas is disloyal. Let me ask you this: Over the past 20 years, how loyal has the company been to its employees? Layoffs to please the shareholders, moving production off shore to decrease costs, and out sourcing are all common ways that the company shows loyalty to its employees.

Neil Watson
watson-wilson.ca