uncomfortable position. 3

[james78]

A colleague in another department has informed me of his plans to move on, am I duty bound to mention it or should I keep quiet?
thoughts?
James

 

[KENAT]

While it might vary based on your position in the company etc. generally I'd think it appropriate to keep your mouth shut.

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(probably not aimed specifically at you)
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[slickdeals]

To each their own. I agree with KENAT that it would be best to stay quiet. You don't want to be branded that "brown noser". If it will really help you to get into the good books of a principal/partner, then MAYBE it is worth it.

We are Virginia Tech
Go HOKIES

 

[casseopeia]

Keep you mouth shut. What if he changes his mind?

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

 

[ctopher]

I agree. He could also be playing you, and others, to see what your reactions are.

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Even if you did tell your boss - the ONLY person who might even possibly admire you later on will be that boss - and I am a boss and don't appreciate team members ratting each other out..not good for the organization for so many reasons.

KYMS - Keep your mouth shut...

 

[philmech]

He either told in confidence and assumed you wouldn't tell, in which case you shouldn't tell. Or he told you hoping you would tell, also hoping that when management found out they would make him an attractive offer to make him stay. This is the sort of game you are better off staying out of, so again you should keep your mouth shut.

 

[IRstuff]

Ultimately, that decision is yours alone, and is dependent on factors that we have no knowledge about. Nor do you know what factors might be involved in your colleague's situation.

Ultimately, you need to decide what reasons there might be for telling, which, I think, are primarily dictated by the actual or perceived value of this employee. Do you even care? Would the company really care?

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[ornerynorsk]

I'm with ctopher on this one. This is a tactic I have used in the past to discover the source of information "leaks". You could be getting setting up. Unless the ramifications are serious harm to the company or a customer, I'd keep mum.

 

[moltenmetal]

A closed mouth gathers neither feet nor flies.

Assume the information was given in confidence, and look as shocked as everyone else when your colleague announces their departure.

 

[JMirisola]

Think of it like an invite to a surprise party. Unless you know someone else has been invited, best to not say anything so no one's feelings get hurt.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Design Manager/Senior Designer
M9 Defense
My Blog

 

[moon161]

Mouth shut, prepare for any effects their departure may have.

 

[jmw]

So far as I know, the only person required to inform management of anyone leaving or having plans to move on is that person themselves and they will do so in due course.

If he wanted anyone else to know he will have told them.
If he is a particular friend of yours you would already know how to treat this information so I assume he is not especially a friend, just a work colleague.

So again, why did he tell you? Did you ask him?
If he told you and only you, why? If he has told everyone, have no fear, some one else will tell and save you the worry.


JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[MadMango]

I'm with Moon161, keep quiet and prepare for their departure if it will affect your work.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

james78,

Put yourself in your colleagues position. If you had told him about a pending move, would you appreciate him breaking the news to the powers that be?

I don't understand why you would even consider telling. By doing so, you stand to lose not only the 'friendship' of that colleague, but also the friendship of other colleagues who may find out you are a back-stabbing rat-fink who can't be trusted. You also stand to lose a potential "foot in the door" at the place he is moving to.

 

[moon161]

If you friends departure plans include sabotage, a list of names and a gun, or other deviations from the normal 'leaving to make more money for less/better work/shorter drive', you may have an ethical problem. Otherwise, mouth shut, plan for what might happen. Coming and going is normal.

 

[vc66]

Seriously? Unless, as moon161 put it, there are ethical considerations... don't say anything.

Sheesh... Just the fact that you're asking this question makes me sad. What ever happened to those in the trenches sticking together?

V

 

[TheTick]

Never pass up a good opportunity to keep your yap shut.

 

[FeX32]

Tell on yourself for thinking about this....seems like this fellow has somehow got under your skin...


Fe

 

[zdas04]

You really just need to do an ENGINEERING analysis--what are the costs and benefits or telling? vs. the costs/benefits of keeping your mouth shut. Whenever I've done that it has been clear that I personnaly get nothing from ratting the guy out, but I risk irritating management (no one likes a rat) and alienating my collegue (who may be my boss someday, as I can tell you from personal experience). On the other side, there is no plus, but there is no minus. The analysis comes down strongly in favor of silence. Permanant silence (everyone will be pissed if you start telling the office that you knew about this months ago). Don't even tell your wife or dog let alone a bunch of strangers on eng-tips.com. You really should red flag this thread and ask site management to delete the whole thing.

David