Should I tell a co-worker they will be laid off by the end of this week?

Question

Today I learned that four people will be laid off by the end of this week. I work in HR so I had to prepare their exit papers for this Friday. I feel so bad for them. One person is a single mom with two babies. I feel like I want to give her a heads up that something may be in the works and she should think about sending her resume out. I feel like it would help her to get a jumpstart on looking for another job. I would want someone to tell me, but at the same time I have to still work there after they're gone and if she tells them I said anything at all, I'll lose all trust from my boss. Help! What's the right/moral thing to do?

Answer 1

Your job requires you to keep quiet.  It is not your place to tell fellow employees about such news and if you want to keep your own job, you had better remember that.  It is not ethical to tell her as yours is a position of trust.   I know you feel bad for the one especially, but you could be of so much more help perhaps when a new job for her contacts your office for a reference.

Answer 2

I would keep quiet.  You cannot jeopardize your job for the sake of someone else.  You cannot lose the trust your boss has placed in you.  If you are in HR, in any capacity, your trust must be impeccable.

Lastly, it is remarkable how things change and how quickly they change.  The person they are planning to lay off may not actually be laid off come Friday.  My BF manages a medium-size group of employees and was told on a Monday he would have to lay off one of his team the following day.  He was upset and distraught about it, but come the next day, he was told the layoff was on hold until the business unit was re-evaluated.  So, things can change quickly and drastically.

Answer 3

no, cause your job might be at stake then.

it's not your responsibility to tell anyone anything, so just keep your mouth shut and stay out of it.

Answer 4

I wouldn't do it. You are in HR... and that's the one place you can't give heads up to someone who will be losing their job. Their boss has to do it.

Answer 5

The right thing to do is keep this information confidential.  This is business not personal and its not up to you to tell her this information. You must remain professional.

Answer 6

No I wouldn't because what If you heard wrong ? Then what would you do?

Answer 7

Oh, I don't think she would tell the boss that you told her.. but it will make her last days there even more miserable.  This is not a nice company you work for that they tell people so late that they will get laid off... why can't they be more considerate if this means she is not dismissed but laid off because your company is going downhill.. you should not tell her. if she gets laid off then they have to pay her extra right away.. for that .. and she will right away get unemployment benefit. this company seems to not be doing well do lay off that many people. Maybe you too, should be looking for a different job.. it's a very negative sign if that many people all get laid off work... No, you should not tell her..

TC.. xx

Answer 8

You are responsible to your employer to keep your mouth shut.  Not only will you lose trust, you could lose your job.

Answer 9

Why would you subject yourself to that? Just suppose something changed between now and the end of the week, and the person isn't laid off, then how would you handle that?

In HR, I would think you would know better that a termination had to come directly from a manager.

Answer 10

Your kind intentions are laudable, however, professionally and conscientiously, you need to keep quiet. There is no point risking your job, many others have survived the same thing and she will be fine.

Answer 11

I would leave that to the person who is to inform them when it's time. You could lose your job. Unfortunately working in certain areas and positions we are sometimes privy to information, and not good information. Just do your job and keep what is confidential just that. You can try to help her once the lay off is officially through and she is properly notified.