When a user asks for help without reading the FAQ first, and posts code that they are working with from their day job - how should the situation be handled when the OP requests that the code be taken down because it is proprietary?

[An example question here](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/14099966/combining-3-images-with-transparency/) resulted in the following (well up-voted) response:

> 
> Code submitted on Stack Overflow and on Stack Exchange in general is not subject to your copyright. You have no right requesting it to be deleted. See the copyright at the footer of this page. Actually, you must give attribution to HamZa and to Stack Overflow if you are planning to use this code in your product.
> 
> 
> 

This *is entirely true* - OP of course has no right to demand code be removed as it was his fault it was posted on StackOverflow and into the public domain in the first place. However, what if his job were on the line because he posted code he shouldn't have on StackOverflow without realising?

Is it "nope, that's it - bam". Is it entirely up to how well the user grovels for this? Of course it is entirely OP's fault, but I can't help but feel sorry for said person because they made a mistake and can't go back on it. I also can't help but feel this mistake may not be as uncommon as first thought.

What is the best way forward with things like this, or is it to be decided entirely on a case-by-case basis?