Job Discussion Forums

[Elkythedogsperson]

Am I being too USA, western and anal with this issue? The school I work for asks me to sign some documents relating to income and taxes paid. Problem is the only info filled in on the form they ask me to sign is my name. No numbers, but five blank lines all in Indonesian. These aren�t official government documents, just school produced records. Since January I signed the form several times without thinking too much about it.

I was last asked to do this in September, but I declined until I saw all of the info filled in so I knew what I was signing. I was told by the accountant that they couldn�t fill in the info before the signature as other teachers shouldn�t know what everyone else is making. But it is only my name on the form, not anyone else�s.

Another was again presented today for October and November. I again said no unless I see what goes on the blank lines.

I�m sure nothing would come of it, but should I put my signature on an incomplete document? Should I just do it to keep them happy, sign it and not rock the boat?

[Insubordination]

No, if you sign it this time. They'll ask you again and other teachers too. No one would ask you to sign a blank document unless something shifty was going on. Don't apologise or be scared about upsetting them. That's what they're counting on. Just stay professional and state, with no emotion, "I don't sign blank documents." Don't negotiate on it or let them intimidate you but don't accuse them of anything either. If they're doing some sort of harmless tax dodge, let them do it without your signature. Maybe if you refuse for the third time, they won't ask you again. Protect your own butt as they're not going to and, if anything went wrong, would be the first to say, "but you signed it."

[basiltherat]