Once, the unit President, the second time, the founder and Chairman, I had to respond to a direct order with an offer to train my replacement so that they could have a second chance of their will being obeyed, but I could not, would not, had MADE my decision, and it was their turn now.
Both backed down. Both apologized the same 3 days later for ever asking.
Rich or poor, the most valuable property a man ever owns is his integrity.
Ever let them take that, there ain't much left, is there?
Got called in to "Help" an outside vendor do a job, making a copy of my existing
fixture....No skin off my back, but I'm not helping them much.
Big multinational (that will not be named here) integrating the fixture into a cell.
i told them "You've got the part 180 backwards, simply switch the program,
and everything will work much better" As there was in process machined surfaces
not on the drawing, used for the fixture.
They refused to simply mirror the program, "No need to" and I explained
how in addition, unloading the part would be very hard for the operator,
and could drop & hurt someone.
They held firm.
I wrote it all up, my concerns for safety, and ran it up the flagpole, to no avail.
A few years go by, and lo & behold, in the morning safety report
is a "near miss" on the exact job, just as I had warned of.
I quickly made a call, and found out that no one was hurt.
Even though it was not my design, and I warned of this, I don't want
to see ANYONE (not even a vendor) get hurt.