5 ms·

There was actually an article on HN recently about just this: executives who retained their position or high status (regardless of employer) despite "scandal" d

There was actually an article on HN recently about just this: executives who retained their position or high status (regardless of employer) despite "scandal" did not admit fault. Those that did never recovered.

mc32 7y ago
Even from a law perspective many lawyers will advise against apologizing[1] to a victim because the apology can be used as evidence of guilt in a civil case. I think it works the same way for most situations including online mobs. —Adding this to expound on what DanBC writes. [1] Goes on to explain that this varies by jurisdiction and many have passed laws protecting apologizers. [1]https://accidentlawyerhenderson.com/is-saying-im-sorry-an-admission-of-guilt/ https://accidentlawyerhenderson.com/is-saying-im-sorry-an-ad...
- DanBC 7y ago
  For any English people reading this in England: this advice is both wrong and harmful. If you've done something wrong you're allowed to apologise. You're not admitting liability and it doesn't open you up to further legal action. Not apologising may in fact increase damages against you. I don't know how other jurisdictions handle this. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/29/section/2 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/29/section/2 > Apologies, offers of treatment or other redress > An apology, an offer of treatment or other redress, shall not of itself amount to an admission of negligence or breach of statutory duty. This is especially true if you're a healthcare professional or work in a healthcare organisation. Your professional registration tells you to apologise; your organisations registration body tells them and you to apologise; your medical defence body tells you to apologise; a bunch of arms-length bodies are clear that you need to apologise if you do something wrong.
  - jigglesniggle 7y ago
    > If you've done something wrong you're allowed to apologise. mc32 wasn't saying an apology will increase damages, just that it is often seen as an admission of guilt. In some places (e.g. Canada) an apology is not a sign of guilt. But you seem to be saying something different?

mc32 7y ago

Even from a law perspective many lawyers will advise against apologizing[1] to a victim because the apology can be used as evidence of guilt in a civil case. I think it works the same way for most situations including online mobs. —Adding this to expound on what DanBC writes. [1] Goes on to explain that this varies by jurisdiction and many have passed laws protecting apologizers. [1]https://accidentlawyerhenderson.com/is-saying-im-sorry-an-admission-of-guilt/ https://accidentlawyerhenderson.com/is-saying-im-sorry-an-ad...

DanBC 7y ago
For any English people reading this in England: this advice is both wrong and harmful. If you've done something wrong you're allowed to apologise. You're not admitting liability and it doesn't open you up to further legal action. Not apologising may in fact increase damages against you. I don't know how other jurisdictions handle this. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/29/section/2 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/29/section/2 > Apologies, offers of treatment or other redress > An apology, an offer of treatment or other redress, shall not of itself amount to an admission of negligence or breach of statutory duty. This is especially true if you're a healthcare professional or work in a healthcare organisation. Your professional registration tells you to apologise; your organisations registration body tells them and you to apologise; your medical defence body tells you to apologise; a bunch of arms-length bodies are clear that you need to apologise if you do something wrong.
- jigglesniggle 7y ago
  > If you've done something wrong you're allowed to apologise. mc32 wasn't saying an apology will increase damages, just that it is often seen as an admission of guilt. In some places (e.g. Canada) an apology is not a sign of guilt. But you seem to be saying something different?