當老闆要你做「怪怪的事情」：新移民一定要懂的職場自保守則 🧾⚖️
這篇是寫給在美國工作的新移民，也寫給過去的自己。
很多第一份工作是在銀行櫃台、收銀員、辦公室助理、餐館、倉庫或前台的人，最容易遇到一個情況：
- 主管交代你做的事，跟公司規定有一點點不一樣。
- 你覺得哪裡怪怪的，但又說不上來。
- 你不敢說不，因為怕丟掉工作、怕被說「你不配合」。
我聽過一個真實的故事：一位在銀行當 teller 的新移民，因為照 branch manager 的指示操作某些「有問題的交易」，後來 branch manager 捲款潛逃，整個案子變成聯邦案件，這位 teller 最後也被判刑坐牢。
最殘酷的一句話是：不知道規定、聽主管的話，並不代表你「沒有責任」。在法律上，「我不知道」並不等於無罪。
這篇不是法律意見，只是用溫柔的方式提醒你：如果你在職場上覺得不舒服、不安心，你是有選擇的，你可以做一些事來保護自己。
一、三種要小心的「怪怪任務」類型 🚩
不是每一個不舒服的感覺，都代表違法；但很多壞事，都是從「只是先幫忙一下」開始。
1. 涉及金錢、帳戶、文件造假的指示
- 幫主管簽客戶的名字，說「反正客戶同意」。
- 調整帳戶、挪用款項，卻沒有正式文件或書面授權。
- 把現金短缺、點錯錢「先蓋過去」，不要記錄。
- 改報金額、改文件日期，讓數字看起來比較漂亮。
只要牽涉到 客戶的錢、公司帳戶、官方文件，風險都非常高。銀行、保險、證券、會計，更是如此。
2. 要你「幫忙蓋住問題」、不留下紀錄的指示
- 叫你不要寫 email，只用口頭交代，說「不要留下紀錄」。
- 要你刪除某些檔案或紀錄，卻沒有正式程序。
- 叫你說「這是系統錯誤」「客戶自己弄錯」，但你知道事實不是這樣。
當一個主管刻意迴避紀錄、多次叫你「不要寫下來」，這本身就是一個大紅旗。
3. 明顯超出你職責、卻要你「扛責任」的指示
- 讓 teller 做應該由 manager 或 back office 才能批准的事。
- 要求你用自己的帳戶或信用卡，先替公司或客戶墊款。
- 叫你簽你不懂內容的法律文件，說「你就簽就對了」。
越是基層、越是新移民，有時越不敢說不。但正因為如此，越需要提前學會保護自己。
二、當你覺得不對勁時，可以怎麼做？🧠
以下是一些實際可行，又相對溫和的做法，不一定每一條都適用，但可以給你方向：
1. 多問一句：「可以寫下來嗎？」📧
當你覺得指示怪怪的，可以這樣說：
- 「為了避免我做錯，可以麻煩你用 email 再寫一次指示嗎？」
- 「你方便在系統裡做一個 note，讓我 follow 嗎？」
如果主管不願意留下任何紀錄、一直要你「口頭做」，你心裡可以再打一次問號。
2. 用「我不太懂，想確認一下」來保護自己 🙋♀️
你可以用比較柔軟的句子，既表達疑慮，又不會立刻衝突：
- 「這樣做會不會跟我們的政策有衝突？我怕自己做錯。」
- 「這種操作以前我們有受過 training 嗎？有沒有 SOP 可以看？」
- 「可不可以請你幫我確認 compliance / 風控那邊的看法？」
有些主管只是隨口一講，當你問清楚，他反而會收回來；也有些主管會露出真面目，這時你就更要小心。
3. 必要時，往上回報或找其他部門 📞
如果事情已經明顯不對，或你覺得可能違法，你可以考慮：
- 依照公司流程，向上級主管、跨部門主管、或總公司回報。
- 如果公司有 ethics hotline、complaince hotline，可以用匿名管道詢問。
- 保留 email、訊息、指示紀錄，避免只是你的一面之詞。
對銀行 teller 這種涉及錢的角色來說，「我只是聽 manager 的」，在很多情況下並不能完全免責。
4. 像我現在一樣：寫 meeting notes、自我保護 📝
我現在的工作雖然沒有直接碰現金，但我會養成習慣：
- 重要的會議後，寄一封簡單的 meeting notes 給相關人，寫清楚誰說了什麼、決定是什麼。
- 把關鍵的決策、風險提醒都寫進去，讓所有人都有同一份紀錄。
這不一定能百分之百保護你，但比「完全沒有紀錄」好多了。
對 teller 來說，一旦牽涉到金錢與聯邦法規，風險會比一般 office 職務高很多；但原則一樣：盡可能留下真實、誠實的紀錄。
5. 如果事情已經很嚴重，可以尋求專業法律意見 ⚖️
如果你已經被捲入調查、或被要求做很明顯不合法的事（例如洗錢、假帳、偽造文件），那就已經不是「正常職場問題」，而是法律問題。
這時候，最安全的做法是：找一位可靠的律師諮詢，而不是只聽主管、同事或網路上的說法。
（本文為一般性分享，不構成法律意見。）
三、新移民特別要知道的一句話：「不知道」不代表沒責任 🧩
很多新移民會有這樣的現實困境：
- 英文不夠好，看不太懂 policy。
- 第一份工作，很怕被炒鱿魚。
- 在文化上習慣聽長輩／主管的話，不敢說不。
但法律世界裡常有一句話：「Ignorance of the law is no excuse.」
翻成白話就是：你不知道規定，並不等於沒有責任。
那我們能做的是什麼？
- 主動看公司 training、policy，不懂就問。
- 對牽涉金錢、客戶資金、官方文件的指示，多看幾遍、多問幾句。
- 練習說：「我不太確定這樣做合不合法，可不可以請你寫 email 再確認一次？」
對我這種不碰錢的職務來說，最嚴重的後果可能是丟工作；但對處理現金的 teller 來說，最嚴重的可能是刑事責任。這兩者是完全不一樣的風險等級。
四、給正在努力生活的新移民的一段話 🌱
如果你現在的工作環境，讓你經常覺得：
- 好像常常被要求「做出例外」。
- 總是叫你「不要寫下來」。
- 一出事就把責任推給最下面的人。
那麼，也許這不是你不好，而是這個環境不安全。
你值得一份，不需要犧牲自己人格、不用在法律邊緣打轉的工作。
希望這篇文章，可以陪你練習：
- 分辨什麼是正常的指示，什麼是「怪怪的要求」。
- 知道你不是只能聽話，你也有權利發問、拒絕、記錄、保護自己。
- 在必要時，勇敢尋求幫助——不管是 HR、上級、律師，或是信任的人。
我們都值得活得安心一點。
When Your Boss Asks You to Do Something Wrong: Self-Protection for New Immigrant Employees 🧾⚖️
This post is for new immigrants working in the U.S. — and also a reminder to my past self.
Many first jobs are in banks (tellers), cashiers, office assistants, restaurant workers, warehouses, or front desks. In those roles, it’s very common to face situations like:
- Your manager tells you to do something slightly different from the written policy.
- You feel something is “off,” but you can’t explain exactly why.
- You are afraid to say no, because you need the job and don’t want to be labeled “not cooperative.”
I once heard a real story: a new immigrant working as a bank teller followed her branch manager’s instructions to process some questionable transactions. Later, the branch manager disappeared with the money. The case became a federal criminal case, and the teller was also sentenced to prison.
The harsh reality is: simply “following orders” does not always protect you. In many situations, “I didn’t know” is not a legal excuse.
This article is not legal advice. It’s a gentle reminder: if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe about what you’re told to do at work, you do have options. There are things you can do to protect yourself.
1. Three types of “red flag” tasks 🚩
Not every uncomfortable feeling means something is illegal. But many bad things start with “just help me this one time.”
(1) Instructions involving money, accounts, or falsifying documents
- Signing a customer’s name “because they agreed anyway.”
- Moving money between accounts with no written authorization or proper forms.
- Covering up cash shortages or errors without recording them.
- Changing numbers or dates to make the report “look better.”
Whenever a task touches client money, company accounts, or official documents, the risk is very high — especially in banking, insurance, securities, and accounting.
(2) Instructions that ask you to “hide” problems and avoid records
- Your manager insists on giving instructions only verbally and avoids email.
- You are told to delete files or records without any formal procedure.
- You are asked to blame the system or the customer, even though you know that’s not true.
If a manager repeatedly avoids documentation and says “don’t write this down,” that is a big red flag by itself.
(3) Tasks far beyond your role, but you are asked to carry the risk
- A teller is asked to approve things that should be done by a manager or back office.
- You are told to use your personal bank account or credit card to advance money.
- You are told to sign legal documents you don’t understand, with “just sign it, it’s fine.”
The more junior you are, the easier it is to feel you have no choice. But that’s exactly why you need to learn self-protection early.
2. What can you do if something feels wrong? 🧠
Here are some practical, relatively gentle options. Not every step fits every situation, but they give you a direction.
(1) Ask: “Can you put that in writing for me?” 📧
When something feels off, you can say:
- “To make sure I don’t misunderstand, could you please send me the instructions by email?”
- “Would you mind creating a note in the system so I can follow it correctly?”
If your manager refuses any written record and insists on only verbal instructions, that’s another red flag.
(2) Use “I’m not sure, I want to confirm” 🙋♀️
You can express concern in a softer way, without starting a fight:
- “I’m worried this might conflict with our policy. I don’t want to do it wrong.”
- “Have we had training on this type of transaction? Is there an SOP I can review?”
- “Could we double-check with compliance or risk before I proceed?”
Sometimes a manager will back off when you ask for clarity. Sometimes, you will see more clearly that something is truly not okay.
(3) Escalate or contact other departments when necessary 📞
If the situation looks clearly wrong or potentially illegal, you can consider:
- Escalating according to company policy: to a higher-level manager, another department, or headquarters.
- Using an ethics or compliance hotline if your company offers one (sometimes you can report anonymously).
- Keeping copies of emails, messages, and instructions, so it’s not just “your word against theirs.”
For a bank teller, because the work involves money and federal regulations, “I was just following my manager’s orders” often does not fully erase personal responsibility.
(4) Do what I do now: keep clear meeting notes 📝
My current role doesn’t handle cash, but I still protect myself by:
- Sending simple meeting notes after important discussions, summarizing who said what and what was decided.
- Including risk warnings or concerns in writing so everyone shares the same record.
This may not protect you 100%, but it’s much better than having no record at all.
For roles like tellers who handle money, the stakes are much higher — sometimes up to criminal charges. But the principle is the same: keep honest, accurate records whenever you can.
(5) If the situation is serious, talk to a lawyer ⚖️
If you are already under investigation, or your manager is asking you to do something clearly illegal (such as money laundering, fake accounts, or document forgery), this is no longer just a workplace conflict — it’s a legal problem.
In that case, the safest option is to consult a qualified attorney, not just rely on advice from your manager, coworkers, or strangers on the internet.
(This article is for general education only and does not constitute legal advice.)
3. One key truth for new immigrants: “Not knowing” does not erase responsibility 🧩
Many new immigrants face these realities:
- Language barriers make policies and procedures hard to read.
- It’s their first job in the U.S., and they are afraid of being fired.
- Culturally, they were raised to obey elders or bosses and not to say no.
But in the legal world there is a common principle: “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
In everyday words, that means: not knowing the rules does not always remove your responsibility.
So what can we do?
- Proactively read training materials and policies; ask questions when you don’t understand.
- Pay extra attention when instructions involve client funds, company accounts, or official documents.
- Practice saying: “I’m not sure if this is compliant. Could you please confirm in an email?”
For roles like mine that don’t handle money, the worst consequence may be losing the job. For a teller handling cash in a regulated industry, the worst consequence could be criminal charges. The risk level is completely different.
4. A note to everyone working hard far from home 🌱
If your current workplace often makes you feel like:
- You are constantly asked to “make exceptions.”
- You are told “don’t write this down” again and again.
- When something goes wrong, blame always falls on the lowest-level people.
Then maybe it’s not that you are “not good enough.” Maybe the environment itself is not safe.
You deserve a job where you don’t have to sacrifice your integrity or constantly walk on the edge of legality.
I hope this article helps you:
- Recognize the difference between a normal request and a dangerous one.
- Remember that you are allowed to ask questions, say no, keep records, and protect yourself.
- Reach out for help — from HR, upper management, a lawyer, or trusted people — when something feels very wrong.
You and I both deserve to live — and work — with a bit more peace of mind.