On the one hand, the Rambam calls Yaakov a Tzaddik because of his actions in Parshas Vayeitzei: It's not just that he was a good worker. We are supposed to see the story of Yaakov's shepherding as the paradigmatic case of perfect, honest, and responsible human being.
הלכות שכירות פרק יג
יא וכן חייב לעבוד בכל כוחו, שהרי יעקוב הצדיק אמר "כי, בכל כוחי, עבדתי, את אביכן" (בראשית לא,ו). לפיכך נטל שכר זאת אף בעולם הזה, שנאמר "ויפרוץ האיש, מאוד מאוד" (בראשית ל,מג).
On the other hand, there is the matter of the spotted sheep. Working with Rashi, the only thing that can be called disturbing about Yaakov's techniques is certainly not forbidden. Here's the question: Does a worker who also has his own business within the same operating space as his employment obligated or ethically encouraged to share a money-making technique with his boss? Lavan was perfectly willing to take his chances, obviously thinking he would come out ahead, and agreed to the deal. So there must be a way of seeing this story not as one that needs to be explained and justified and apologized for, but as a perfect example of mentchlichkeit! Why can't it be simpler?
צריך עיון
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