Today, I just got news that our company is mandating that everyone installs spy software on their computers. As I am not going to install such software on my computer, it has been said to me that if we don't find some solution, I will get fired.
To be honest, I was thinking about changing jobs anyway, so I don't mind that much, but I am not sure what to do now.
I work in IT, so I have quite a lot of job opportunities, but most of them are something that is mostly harmful to society.
So I am considering two options:
Try to find some meaningful job in IT (which is likely to be very hard).
Find some nice good paying job where I can work, ideally part-time, and focus on working on open source software in my free time.
Not really sure what to do, does anyone have any experience with similar situation?
The issue with using a company device is, that I would be much less productive on their device. Also, even if I had such a device, I don't even want such software running on my network. And to be honest, their response really motivates me to just leave.
You being less productive looks like a "their" problem. You can also create a guest network only for that device so that it makes it less likely for them to be able to look at the remaining of the network.
But I understand not wanting to work with people that makes that kind of decision.
Still, delaying the situation with "quiet quitting" methods is a good way to give you a longer time frame to build the alternative.
Not really an option anymore, they blocked company accounts for everyone who hasn't installed it. So currently I don't have access to anything. Funny part is that they issued a warning about this an hour before they did it. And the email is part of the account they blocked, so if someone didn't read it he would have no way of knowing why his account is blocked.
That means they are creating a problem for themselves. I'd suppose they can legally force you to install something in your personal computer, which means they probably can't fire you for that.
They blocked you away, and they are preventing you to do your work. You can likely charge for unjustified termination, and stall. They probably can't just let you go unpaid.
Somewhat draining, but possibly worth it.
I'm not a lawyer, but that's how my brain is processing the logic of your problem.