Would you share something with your colleagues that was told to you in confidence?

[Givenup2026]

Materially it doesn’t affect me, as I was lucky enough to secure a job somewhere else.

However, I do know it will directly affect them (how much I don’t know), but I’m also aware that knowing early will make little to no difference.

So AIBU for considering telling them? It definitely feels like a heavy weight on my shoulders.

Depends on what it is. Usually I'd say no because someone told you in confidence and you need to respect that, however if it was something that needed to come out I'd probably encourage them to speak up themselves.

I'd need more information.

Is it specifically work related? Who told you and why are you not allowed to tell anyone e.g. were you told because of your position at the company or did get some good gossip because you're friends with someone.

Why would them knowing early not make any difference? It seems like it made a difference to you because you say you've been able to secure a new job.

No because you should keep your integrity and not share information given to you in confidence

No.
I was known at work for keeping my mouth shut!

There’s going to be a massive restructuring coming their way. Management lines will be changed (and some will be completely removed).

It was implied there would be redundancies (and I know of one of the affected).

Well, not normally, no. It was told in confidence so the information is not "yours" to pass on. And if it was just gossip, I'd probably say that I'd prefer not to be part of office gossip, thank you.

However, there are instances where I would have to take it further - a safeguarding issue perhaps. In which case I'd immediately stop them and say, you're telling me in confidence but this is something serious which I can't keep to myself, I'm sorry but I'm legally/morally bound to take this further... You might also need to do so.

The same would apply if it were serious fraud/illegal practice and I'd be complicit by knowing and keeping the knowledge, in which case see above.

If it's divulging a strategic plan, then 100% don't because there's probably a number of reasons why this plan hasn't been made official yet. It might not be ready and it's awful to share half-baked plans that will freak people out for nothing. You might also get into trouble for it if the leak is traced back to you.
If it's a whistleblowing situation, you are obligated to do something about it and labour laws cover you.

It’s specifically work related. My manager told me. I coincidentally found another job, I just got “lucky” so to speak.

In that case I would consider what it would do to your reputation/career if it got out that you'd been indiscrete/had revealed confidential information.

If it genuinely makes no difference having the information early (though I fail to see how this can be, forewarned is forearmed) then keep it to yourself.

I feel like knowing 3 working days before the restructuring happens won’t make much difference IMO.

However I know my colleagues will definitely feel crushed.

Omg if it's three days just keep your mouth shut!

That’s what I got told! But other redundancies people just disappear overnight and they’re not even allowed to say goodbye. So it feels odd that they’ll announce this one.

Absolutely do not tell. Be professional.

Yep! I was on the side of telling them, because you're already leaving and it's important information. But three days isn't long enough to take action; you'd only be causing an extra three days of stress.

Three days?? Of course you shouldn't say anything. You'll just be giving them three days of extra pain in which they'll be able to do nothing. They won't even be able to ask any questions about the detail of redundancy packages etc. You'll just be giving them all the stress of redundancy, but without the details and certainty to help them actually plan anything.

Seriously, keep your gob shut. You'd be an arsehole to tell them.

You can keep quiet for 3 days. It won't help your colleagues to know 3 days early.

No, telling them will make no difference if its being announced in 3 days time. I take it the announcement is being made on Friday! I hate that. I always make announcements mid week to give people time to process in work time and be in the company of other affected colleagues for peer support.

Sounds like you dropped lucky OP

Your leaving and wont be working with this person and 3 days warning is about as useful as a chocolate fire guard to them.
However if you break confidentiality it could seriously affect your reputation and career if it gets out.
Stay silent

How on earth will knowing 3 days in advance benefit them in any way?

No - word gets around and your new employer won’t trust you if they find out

Nope. If it was something so important I needed to share it I wouldn’t be telling someone I would keep it confidential.
otherwise anything I’m told in confidence stays confidential as I would hate to be a snakey person

Three days? Then don’t as it’ll make no difference to them, they’ll still be in the same boat. Besides, if it’s anything like the company my DH was just laid off from there’ll be bigger fish to fry down the line as it’s pretty obvious the place is going to fold or be asset stripped by the end of the next financial quarter, as a little online research has revealed they’re in big financial doo-doo, a return to reasonable profitability in Q1 is unlikely as they're leaking clients like a sieve, and creditors are closing in.
Just be glad you’re out of there.

No. Absolutely do not tell them. It’s so bloody unprofessional. I had similar happen to me, in that someone found out I was going to be made redundant and decided to “warn” me. It was horrible knowing in advance. But do you know what? When she told me I went straight to HR about it. It didn’t prevent it from happening but at least they knew what untrustworthy shit stirrer she was. I still feel pissed off when I think about the stress she caused me, when she should have kept her big mouth shut.

Presumably you know this because of the role you're in? Where You're trusted to be discreet and trustworthy.

It's hard but say nothing.

@Givenup2026 I have been in this position, and known about future redundancies and branch closures. It's not nice, not nice at all.

You keep your mouth firmly shut.