Would this be wrong to do/unethical Forum

[ughbugchugplug]

I'm keeping this all vague because I don't want to out myself.

I'm clerking right now. Back in March I took a firm job to start in the Fall that I'm pleased with but it's not really my top choice -- what I really want is a position in a particular branch of government. The government option was not hiring at the moment and because COVID had things all messed up I was mostly focused on just locking anything down at all.

The government job is now available. I know they will be interested in me because they contacted me about an opening back in May but I told them I already had a job lined up. Now they have another posting and I'm thinking about applying. If I don't go there right now, I'm just going to try to work there in a year or so anyway. I haven't taken a bonus or anything from the firm.

The firm is a boutique-style firm which does not have many associates. I think they could replace me relatively easily if necessary but it's not like they have a class of 100 coming in and wouldn't even notice that I'm not coming anymore.

My other concern is that Republicans might take Congress in 2022 and we'll have a budget fight/sequestration again. If that happens the opening in this particular branch might never be available.

Would it be unethical or wrong of me to apply and take the government job even though I already have another position that I accepted a few months ago?

[TUwave]

No.

[Definitely Not North]

good luck at your disbarment hearing for even thinking about this

[nixy]

No.

[Rule23andMe]

good luck at your disbarment hearing for even thinking about this

[legalpotato]

good luck at your disbarment hearing for even thinking about this

This. OP, don't you know that the US Post Office has been repurposed to track and collect social media posts by Americans?

In all seriousness, no issues at all w/ what you are contemplating.

[ughbugchugplug]

Thanks for the responses everyone. One additional wrinkle: a friend/mentor from my old firm took a call on my behalf to get this job. He has a relationship with the firm I'd be ditching. Does that change your mind? Should I consult with him first? I don't want to put him in a bad position.

[UnfrozenCaveman]

probably framing the question wrong. Wrong/unethical is different from whether you should do it in this case.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the responses everyone. One additional wrinkle: a friend/mentor from my old firm took a call on my behalf to get this job. He has a relationship with the firm I'd be ditching. Does that change your mind? Should I consult with him first? I don't want to put him in a bad position.

Think you should talk to your friend, but a good friend should understand why you need to do this.

[whats an updog]

there is nothing "wrong" or "unethical" about this. it's your career and these are jobs. they will understand if you do it with grace. if they don't, fuck em.

[Anonymous User]

YOU have to live your life and nobody else. Give your friend/mentor a heads up and explain what you have told us here and that it wouldn't be long term at the firm in any event, and thank them again for helping. Don't ask - notify - your friend, and apologize for any inconvenience.

But again, it is your life and career. I cannot imagine not going after a dream/desired job for the reasons you have described here.

Good luck!!

[hookem7]

Look out for your own interests, nobody else is going to do it for you. The firm is a business and would dump you in a heartbeat if they needed to. You don't owe loyalty to a place, especially one you have never actually worked at, regardless of the friend/mentor assistance. Definitely notify the friend/mentor and explain the situation so you can stay on good terms, they should be understanding.

[Anonymous User]

It’s a government job with some prestige. Yes they will understand. It’s not like you’re reneging for another firm. geez.

[tyroneslothrop1]

Also note that the firm wants to hire someone is going stay, at least for a few years. They don't want to hire people who have an eye on the exit from day 1.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the responses everyone. One additional wrinkle: a friend/mentor from my old firm took a call on my behalf to get this job. He has a relationship with the firm I'd be ditching. Does that change your mind? Should I consult with him first? I don't want to put him in a bad position.

Think you should talk to your friend, but a good friend should understand why you need to do this.

I agree. I once had the exact situation and opted to go with the thing I didn't want due to someone having made a call. I ended up miserably and several years later do not even know if the person who made the call is dead or alive. They barely remembered me last time I said hello.

I can think of several solid ways in which my life would be better had I gone with what I truly wanted. This is a bad type of regret that you should avoid.

[run26.2]

Thanks for the responses everyone. One additional wrinkle: a friend/mentor from my old firm took a call on my behalf to get this job. He has a relationship with the firm I'd be ditching. Does that change your mind? Should I consult with him first? I don't want to put him in a bad position.

Think you should talk to your friend, but a good friend should understand why you need to do this.

Depending on how close the relationship is, yes you should probably explain it to your friend, in case you would like the person to speak to an employer on your behalf in the future. This situation does not seem at all wrong and is not purely unethical. Your main concern here is about whether you're burning any bridges. If there is a chance they can replace you while there, you should try to give the firm some time to do that.

[Anony1234]

Thanks for the responses everyone. One additional wrinkle: a friend/mentor from my old firm took a call on my behalf to get this job. He has a relationship with the firm I'd be ditching. Does that change your mind? Should I consult with him first? I don't want to put him in a bad position.

Think you should talk to your friend, but a good friend should understand why you need to do this.

Depending on how close the relationship is, yes you should probably explain it to your friend, in case you would like the person to speak to an employer on your behalf in the future. This situation does not seem at all wrong and is not purely unethical. Your main concern here is about whether you're burning any bridges. If there is a chance they can replace you while there, you should try to give the firm some time to do that.

I assume this probably goes without saying--but just in case--wait until you have the offer in hand before you say anything to this mentor/friend. Don't treat the offer as a given, or feel in a rush to do anything until you actually know you have the job. I'm somewhat confused what you mean that the government job reached out to you, but regardless I imagine they're also interviewing other people for this position and it's far from a given at this stage.