What Do You Do When a Boss Takes Credit for Your Work?
If you have an idea stolen by your boss, options exist for restitution. Before taking any action, make certain the theft of the idea was intentional. By defusing a potentially volatile situation early in the process, you can save time and expenses. In the course of proving the idea originated with you, you should furnish documentation establishing intellectual ownership.
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Reality Check
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Before jumping the gun, you need to make sure the boss actually knows the idea is yours. If the workplace environment is fast-paced, ideas can bounce around from department to department. If the boss overheard the idea in passing, he might not realize the idea isn't his. Approach your boss in a forthright manner and gently remind him of when you first went to him with the idea.
Reciprocation
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If your boss acknowledges the idea came from you but doesn't intend to give you credit, let him know you expect him to return this favor. Depending on what your expectations in the company are, you might find yourself willing to give your boss ideas for his use, in return for either a salary increase or increased responsibility and position in the company.
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Policy
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Check with your human resources department to determine company policy regarding individuals taking credit for work that others performed. In certain instances, depending upon the terms of employment, a senior manager has authority to put his name on projects that others created. Magazines do this on a regular basis, allowing a columnist to use "work for hire" articles as his own. A "work for hire" project means an independent contractor receives payment for producing work that others can claim as their own. Ghostwriting a novel for a writer is an example of "work for hire."
Intellectual Property
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Depending upon the situation, consider looking into intellectual property rights. If you can establish ownership of the idea, hiring an attorney to protect your rights is advisable. Should the idea ultimately prove highly profitable, you want compensation for the creation of the idea. Intern Wes Cherry invented the game "Solitaire" for Microsoft, installed on every Windows operating system, and never received a single cent for his work, costing him potentially millions of dollars in revenue.
Documentation
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Documentation is necessary to prove ownership of an idea. Simply claiming you created an idea doesn't hold up in a court of law. Establishing a paper trail for the idea has numerous advantages, including setting up a creation time line and helping establish the creative process. Documentation should include that from senior personnel in the company, preventing your boss from claiming the idea originated with him.
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References
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Comments
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