Because my boss told me to

My first job was at an Arby's restaurant in Rockford. On my second day, my boss told me that one of my duties was making sure the Rockford Register Star was available in the dining room.

He took me to the vending machine outside and put some coins in. But instead of taking one, he took three copies of the newspaper.

I asked him whether we were allowed to take more than one copy when we paid for just one. He said we had the right because the machine was on Arby's property.

A former newspaper carrier, I didn't buy that logic. But I followed through on orders and took more than one copy. Even though I knew it was wrong.

Why? Because that's what the boss told me to do (although I would make a very different decision today).

Supervisors carry a lot of sway. Sometimes they don't realize it.

Recently, we reported that former Whiteside County Engineer Steve Haring's employees felt pressure to do private work for him on county time.

Haring's second in command, John Bauscher, said in a statement to authorities that he expressed concern to Haring about doing so.

"I was told I was salaried and can take off when I want," Bauscher said. "Fearful of invoking a stressful relationship by refusing, I assisted."

Another employee, Jim James, told police that he didn't know how Haring would react if he rejected requests to do private work for the engineer. But James said he didn't want to take that chance.

State police detectives questioned Haring whether his employees would feel a certain obligation to say yes to their boss.

"No, not with my employees," he said, according to a transcript.

If he really believed that, then he was clueless about how the workplace functions. Bosses have inherent power over their employees. And they should understand that.

They have a choice whether to use that power for good or bad. Haring, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft for making workers do private jobs, obviously chose the latter.

Sauk Valley Media reporter David Giuliani covers the Whiteside and Lee county governments. Morrison and other smaller communities. He can be reached at dgiuliani@saukvalley or at 800-798-4085, ext. 525.