Monster.com member Legally Confused writes: "I have a job at a major corporation and I have found out that someone who used to work at my old job has started working at this company. Here is my problem: This person was arrested for embezzling money from the company -- [she worked] in an area where she handled a lot of money. Now this person is here at my company -- [she's] using a completely different name and is working in a similar capacity. Do I make someone aware of this or say nothing?"

The Employee Advocate answers: "If you have concrete evidence (such as personal knowledge) that this person was arrested and could be harmful to your new employer, then by all means, go to the HR department and confidentially disclose what you know. If, however, you only "know" through the rumor mill, you really don't have facts with which you can go to your employer. In that case, you may be defaming someone without realizing it. Ultimately, what you do is a personal choice based upon your ethical views. Some people have a strong belief that doing the right thing is really what counts. Other people feel no obligation to help their employers, especially if they believe that the employer/employee relationship is one where each takes advantage of the other.