To tell my boss this about a new colleague

[colleaguedilemma]

So we have a new colleague at work. I used to work where they used to work so know a lot of mutual people. I never worked very closely with them but was very aware they had a reputation for being full of shit and not very good but able to talk the talk. I like them as a person.

I keep bumping into ex colleagues who have all been telling me about an incident which happened after I left my old workplace.

So new colleague in an emergency situation got Person B involved and asked Person B to do something not allowed unless permission has been gained. New colleague told person B that permission had been gained and in the time urgent situation Person B didn’t check and did what was asked. New colleague had lied to B. Someone else who witnessed it reported the situation and new colleague lied and said they’d never asked person B to do anything, they never said permission had been gained. Person B got sacked.

New colleague then left and came to my new company.

I get on with my manager quite well and feel I’d like to give them an unofficial heads up that new colleague is not to be trusted. I’m worried down the line I may be in person’s Bs shoes and new colleague will,lie/throw me under a bus. They’re ruthlessly ambitious and will trample over anyone to proceed. Manager already has some misgivings about them..

Sorry but I would let their behaviour speak for itself. Don't play a part in spreading hearsay stories about them. It won't reflect well on you.

How close are you to your manager?
I would tell mine with the caveat that it’s not firsthand information.

I wouldn’t say anything. It’s just gossip. Whose to say the sacked colleague isn’t being bitter and transferring blame?

I agree with hanna especially if they already have misgivings.

I get on with manager really well.

I do believe the story, I’ve heard it from multiple people some of whom I’ve worked with for 20 years and trust.

Not first-hand information equals gossip. Don’t do it, it won’t reflect well on you whatever happens

I would want a lot more than gossip/hearsay from former colleagues before making a serious allegation like that.

It will seriously damage your reputation if it turns out not to be true. It would also probably legally be defamation, although obviously it's very unlikely your colleague would pursue it.

Your manager is, I presume, paid a manager's salary. Leave the managing to him/her. Carrying what is essentially hearsay is not an endearing trait.

Stay out it. Let them be judged for their performance, not past gossip.

The story sounds a bit far-fetched. A previously good employee sacked for something (that could be done with permission) and outright disbelieved that they thought permission had been granted?

What is person B supposed to have done, can you elaborate?

I think you’re right. I don’t like gossiping and normally steer well clear but I’m very unsettled by this. Will leave it.

Yes, I would mention it to your manager, but as PP said, make it clear the incident happened after you left. As a business owner I'd rather know the the information than not. I wouldn't act on the information immediately, but if anything untoward were to happen I'd have a feel of the lay of the land so to speak.

If the opportunity arose I might say “ I think there was a situation involving new colleague but it happened after I left - it might be gossip though. I can’t tell” but only if I had a good relationship with my manager. I wouldn’t give the whole blow by blow account because the information is not first hand.

It sounds like you have a really good relationship with your manager so yes I would give them a heads up.

I agree it’s just gossip and would not repeat it if nothing was at stake.

But I’d want to hear it if one of my own staff had heard something that caused them misgivings about a new employee. I’m fair enough to not make any decisions based on gossip. I’d just pay more attention to the behavior of the new person and also to make sure no one else was using this gossip as a reason to treat the new employee unfairly.

The thing about gossip is it’s going to spread regardless. It doesn’t leave the manager in a better position if everyone else hears it but they do not.

Just remember to double-check, if they ever try to get you to do something you're not comfortable with.

@ShesGotBetteDavisEyes

I’ve worked in places where an employee would definitely be fired for doing something that went against policy without permission. Even if there was not a bad outcome.

Minor example of a fireable offense; A told B to reset a system password and B knew this was not allowed, then did so without failing to confirm in writing with someone in authority.

People would be mad at A but it might not matter to management if A lied or not, B still failed to follow policy.

*sorry, I mean B failed to confirm!

OP, make sure that if new colleague asks you to do something, that you double check, get it in writing, etc. Cover your own back.

It is gossip.
Imagine if someone spread gossip about you even with good intentions.
Leave him to do the job and prove or not prove himself

Steer clear, but now you know if this situation ever arises ask for confirmation via email or something so you have proof.

I find a story will change very quickly the more people it goes through, without anyone necessarily intending to change it, as in Chinese whispers.

I would be tempted to say something but I think you are right to leave it. As others have said it might backfire on you.

@MulticolourMophead - Excellent advice.

To be honest, if you are in a situation with your boss where you gossip together about things then you could pass it on as gossip in a non-work setting. Purely and simply I heard this... draw your own conclusions... kind of thing....

It definitely may back fire on you. And you don't have any solid evidence.

But if you want to say something you have heard to another person, then I am not sure it is wrong to say it as long as you admit you don't have any evidence.