This is a liability issue. If (and when) an event occurs, and there is damage or, worse, loss of life, the "Nuremberg defense" will not work. You'll be on the hook because you installed it that way.
Protect yourself and your co-workers and call a local NFPA inspector and have him state, to your boss, the proper grounding requirements for this job. A legitimate, reputable business with ethical management personnel would welcome the input from a recognized expert. A shady, fly-by-night operation would ask you to violate NFPA and NESC code and create an unsafe, dangerous condition. The next question you need to ask yourself is: do you really want to work for someone who is so cavalier about your's and your co-worker's life safety? I know I wouldn't.
Rcaman
