Should I tell my director?

Question

I have recently found out that one of my colleagues has a job interview tomorrow afternoon and if he goes then we will be in trouble. He is quite important to the company and he has only told me he is thinking of leaving. I don't know if I should tell one of the directors, who I get on with really well, just so they can try and talk him into staying but I am worried my colleague will find out it was me that said something, as I am the only one who knows. Should I tell, or is this none of my business? Please help, I hate having this on my mind.

Answer 1

It is not your problem if the company is "in trouble" if your colleague leaves for another job. No matter how valuable of an employee he is, nearly everyone is dispensable in today's workplace.

Having been in management myself, I am positive that someone in the company management already knows that your coworker has the interview. It is up to the managers to deal with this situation, and if you are privy to information; you should be quiet about it.

You may or may not be the only person aware of his desire to leave, but do not want to become untrustworthy in your supervisors eyes by talking about this information.

Answer 2

You should respect his privacy, and believe that he will do the right thing by giving enough notice to find an appropriate replacement if he is choosing to leave. There are rules in place for people who are leaving companies, and he should respect them. (ie giving two weeks, or a month, or whatever he said in his contract) People have to do what is right for their careers in the long run, and the company will survive. Next time, maybe don't put all the company eggs in one employee's basket, so to speak, and make sure everyone is awesome at their jobs, then it will be sad, but not the end of a company when an employee decides to move on. And, employees do move on, you know. Anyway, be a good pal, and don't say anything!

Answer 3

It really is none of your business, especially when you were told in confidence. Who will trust you again in the company from director down. No one is above toe company and nor replaceable. If your colleagues gets the job he has to put notice in and the company May well offer him a higher wage not to leave. If he is that good and the directors feel it could effect the company that much, thwn it is up to them and not you.

Answer 4

You're probably too late. If his interview is tomorrow, you can tell the directors today, and he may quit or he could be fired. Its never a comfortable situation when you realize an employee dislikes their job to the point of looking elsewhere, and in reality the employee doesn't owe the employer any loyalty to stay at their job if they have a better offer from somewhere else. They provide a service to the employer, the employer provides compensation.

Answer 5

Tough ethical choice.

I would not say anything to the director.

First, I would assume that you were told that your co-worker was thinking of leaving in confidence. That person trusts you to not reveal this information, and you should not misplace their trust.

Second, the modern job market is such that it is always good to keep one's options open, and know what one is worth to employers.

If he does decide to leave, that would be the time for the company to perhaps give a counter offer if he was that important to the company, but until that time, you have to take your co-worker at his word that he is just thinking about leaving.

Lastly, where your colleague works is a very important thing to him. Let him figure out for himself what job is best for him.

Answer 6

You have more to lose by telling him than you will gain

You will lose your reputation
No one will trust you anymore as you have will have shown lack of integrity.

You will be seen as a mole and no one will like you

You may end up leaving as a result, if this happens

You have nothing to gain by telling the director. No one is indespensible and if someone leaves, the company will continue as normal.

It's OK to keep confidential info to yourself. You are not breaking any laws here or office policies, so don't worry about it

Answer 7

stay out of this. There is no way you will gain anything. Allow your co-worker the privacy of handlign his/her own affairs. If you rat your friend out, and they don't get the job, his present employer may decide to fire or slow track this person because they are leaving anyway. Who can predict the outcome. At best, if he doesn't get the job, and his current employer knows this, he loses barganing power.

Companies are responsible for managing their people, and good companies have mechanisms in place for dealing with this. Just leave it alone and pretend you don't know anything. Let your friend manage his own affairs.

Answer 8

Stay out of it
If the director wants to talk him in to staying he can do so if this person talks to them about resigning.
If your colleague doesn't get the new job you could create an atmosphere at work for no reason.

Answer 9

No, it's really none of your business. If your colleague has kept it quiet, that's obviously the way they want it. And if they do leave, believe it or not - you will manage! Don't worry about it :)

Answer 10

I'd stay out of it. There could be many reason why this new position is better for him, personaly or professionally. As for his position at your company, he CAN be replaced. It may be inconvenient for the staff for a while until the new guy gets trained.