Speaking of moral dilemmas... should I share rumor with former colleagues?

[Ranger Dan]

i have heard from a couple different sources that my former company may be closing or significantly downsizing the operation where I used to work. I still have friends there and would like them to have advance notice so they can prepare. On the other hand, maybe these people won’t eventually lose their jobs and my sharing the info could disrupt things unnecessarily. What would you all do?

 

[NittanyLionRoar]

If i were a friend I would want a heads up so I could make my own decision about what to do, with the understanding this info isn’t a 100% guarantee to happen.

 

[fairfaxlion2]

I would not do it unless you are sure it's true.

And if it is true, they've probably heard it anyway.

 

[Delco Lion]

Pass it along with the caveat that its hearsay from what you view as credible sources. They better be credible.... lol

 

[060802]

Assess the credibility of the rumor and act accordingly

 

[Jovialgent]

i have heard from a couple different sources that my former company may be closing or significantly downsizing the operation where I used to work. I still have friends there and would like them to have advance notice so they can prepare. On the other hand, maybe these people won’t eventually lose their jobs and my sharing the info could disrupt things unnecessarily. What would you all do?

It's your former company but they are your present friends. I would tell them.

 

[schoolie]

i have heard from a couple different sources that my former company may be closing or significantly downsizing the operation where I used to work. I still have friends there and would like them to have advance notice so they can prepare. On the other hand, maybe these people won’t eventually lose their jobs and my sharing the info could disrupt things unnecessarily. What would you all do?

zip it

 

[BBrown]

i have heard from a couple different sources that my former company may be closing or significantly downsizing the operation where I used to work. I still have friends there and would like them to have advance notice so they can prepare. On the other hand, maybe these people won’t eventually lose their jobs and my sharing the info could disrupt things unnecessarily. What would you all do?

Tell Them, what happens after is on them.

 

[artsandletters]

Can of worms.

 

[Doc-M]

NO! It is rumor!!

 

[Raffycorn]

Absolutely, 100% tell them; it’s the only right thing to do. If you tell them and it ends up not being true, the only downside is, what, a slight disruption at your former employer? That’s really not your problem since you don’t have any loyalty to them. On the other hand, if you don’t tell them and it does end up being true, the downsides to your current friends could be tremendous if they aren’t prepared.

 

[BobPSU92]

I’d wait until and if you have heard something more concrete. They may know about the rumor anyway, but it’s just a rumor. Don’t cause a disruption unnecessarily. If the rumor is incorrect, you could lose your friendships because they could question your credibility and motive.

 

[phillybillyreprise]

If you are friendly and have normal contact such as a bar, kid’s game, church, etc, I would say that you heard the rumor and ask if they had heard it, too. I would not call someone just to inform them of an unsubstantiated rumor.

 

[fairfaxlion2]

I guess I still wonder why you think that you are somehow hearing this rumor before they are?

They actually work there and know more than you do.

 

[Ranger Dan]

I guess I still wonder why you think that you are somehow hearing this rumor before they are?

They actually work there and know more than you do.

First, I said this was a rumor, not fact. Second, employees of this former company have always leery of the corporation bailing on this site. A few years ago I had heard after the fact about the company looking to establish a distribution center in TN.

The scenario is that my former company (company A) leased 3/4 of a very large industrial building. Company B had about 1/4 of this building. I left company A about 9 months ago to take a job at company C. A few months ago we hire someone at company C who used to work at company B. We parked in the same lot, but didn’t know each other. Once we figure out the connection, he asks me what’s going on with company A, and informs me that company B was planning to take over the entire building. I shrug my shoulders, as I wasn’t aware of any plans. Then a month ago I am meeting with company D, who was a sister company to company B, and when they hear that I used to work at company A, the one guys mentions in a matter of fact way that company B was taking over the entire building. Again, this is not evidence.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Update... my former coworkers were informed today that the entire facility will be shut down in early 2020. As I said, the rumor was very credible.

 

[NittPicker]

Update... my former coworkers were informed today that the entire facility will be shut down in early 2020. As I said, the rumor was very credible.

So did you tell them about the rumor?? Either way, at least it seems they have time to land on their feet elsewhere.

 

[Ranger Dan]

So did you tell them about the rumor?? Either way, at least it seems they have time to land on their feet elsewhere.

No, I only told one guy who was already leaving for another job.

 

[PSU_522]

No, I only told one guy who was already leaving for another job.

That sucks man, they say there are more jobs then people right now but with tons of things switching over to AI I’m a little Leary if the future.

 

[The Song Remains the Same]

That sucks man, they say there are more jobs then people right now but with tons of things switching over to AI I’m a little Leary if the future.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

No, I only told one guy who was already leaving for another job.

It's good that it was a dilemma for you.

There are plenty of folks in our world who would not have paused to consider the dilemma.

 

[TheGLOV]

Timothy Leary: The OFFICIAL IDIOT of the 1960's.

That is all.

 

[PSUSignore]

I didn't see this thread previously but I'm surprised this was even a dilemma. I wouldn't hesitate to tell my friends, assuming they were actual friends and not merely acquaintances or former coworkers. I have much more loyalty to my friends than I do for a company. Most companies won't hesitate to take action that might negatively impact their employees in the name of company strategy and financial success. Loyalty is largely dead in corporate America and looking out for one's self as an employee is very important. Based on that, I'd have told my friends immediately.

 

[TheGLOV]

i have heard from a couple different sources that my former company may be closing or significantly downsizing the operation where I used to work. I still have friends there and would like them to have advance notice so they can prepare. On the other hand, maybe these people won’t eventually lose their jobs and my sharing the info could disrupt things unnecessarily. What would you all do?

It's a good bet that they also know of this.

The GRAPEVINE is one strong means of underground communication.

 

[Ranger Dan]

I didn't see this thread previously but I'm surprised this was even a dilemma. I wouldn't hesitate to tell my friends, assuming they were actual friends and not merely acquaintances or former coworkers. I have much more loyalty to my friends than I do for a company. Most companies won't hesitate to take action that might negatively impact their employees in the name of company strategy and financial success. Loyalty is largely dead in corporate America and looking out for one's self as an employee is very important. Based on that, I'd have told my friends immediately.

The question wasn’t loyalty to former company, but whether to disrupt their lives without concrete evidence.

 

[PSUSignore]

The question wasn’t loyalty to former company, but whether to disrupt their lives without concrete evidence.

I'd think most people would rather hear about the rumor and be left to make their own decisions vs. having someone else try to decide what's best for them.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

I'd think most people would rather hear about the rumor and be left to make their own decisions vs. having someone else try to decide what's best for them.

I'd wager everyone working at RD's old company was aware of the rumor

 

[Ranger Dan]

I'd wager everyone working at RD's old company was aware of the rumor

Not true...

 

[Raffycorn]

Not true...

Not gonna lie then, it really sucks for those folks that they could have had the opportunity to prepare for what was coming and didn’t get it. If I found out that a friend had heard credible information about my job potentially disappearing, didn’t tell me, and my job ends up disappearing, I’d be hesitant in continuing to call them a friend.

 

[Madsol]

Not gonna lie then, it really sucks for those folks that they could have had the opportunity to prepare for what was coming and didn’t get it. If I found out that a friend had heard credible information about my job potentially disappearing, didn’t tell me, and my job ends up disappearing, I’d be hesitant in continuing to call them a friend.

Yeah, I never quite understood why this was a dilemma. If you thought the rumor was credible, tell your friends, with the necessary caveats. Let them decide what to do with the information. Never saw the supposed down side of that. I guess the relative good news is that the affected employees have several months to make other arrangements.

 

[TheGLOV]

i have heard from a couple different sources that my former company may be closing or significantly downsizing the operation where I used to work. I still have friends there and would like them to have advance notice so they can prepare. On the other hand, maybe these people won’t eventually lose their jobs and my sharing the info could disrupt things unnecessarily. What would you all do?

Do we blame this on Michael Milken?

Just asking.

It is sad when things like this happen.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Do we blame this on Michael Milken?

Just asking.

It is sad when things like this happen.

This wasn’t a post complaining about the decision to close the facility, it sucks in the short term, but actually allows people to grow and advance. It’s the circle of life.

 

[TheGLOV]

This wasn’t a post complaining about the decision to close the facility, it sucks in the short term, but actually allows people to grow and advance. It’s the circle of life.

I hear ya Dan.

Always enjoy your posts sir.

We Are!

 

[jim cummings]

Loose lips sink ships.

 

[Hero17]

Yes 100% tell them and those who said zip it here hope you are never in a situation where a friend could have given you some advanced notice listened to crappy advice like you had tried to give here.