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.

If you tell them, what are you thinking will happen next?

Theyll want answers they can’t get yet (frustration, anger).

Theyll raise it and be asked who told them (very bad on you and again, no answers for them).

If it’s only 3 days, what difference does that make? They look for a job today, or on Monday?

You won’t be helping them by telling them. Unless the whole company is going down the pan, you’ll be doing them no favours.

Once people know they will be worried. You won't be able to answer any of their questions. They will be in limbo for 3 days. Why would you even consider being so mean to them just so that you can spread juicy gossip

I agree with this, you’re putting them in a more stressful situation until they get the information from those fully in the know. Can’t believe you’d even consider it to be honest!

Your colleagues don't know you know. They will not feel betrayed by you if you say nothing. When the news comes out you act shocked and appalled. That's it.

There is absolutely nothing to be gained from telling anyone. Keep your trap shut.

Hear hear, that’s exactly how I felt when this happened to me. I consider the woman who told me to be a vindictive bitch who only thought about herself - glad she was able to get the “weight off her shoulders” by imploding my world.

Absolutely.

If you have been trusted with something in a professional capacity, unless it's something that falls under whistle blowing, you should always keep it confidential. If doing so causes you too much of an emotional burden because you're the type of person who's feelings for colleagues conflicts with your professional responsibilities, then that's something you need to keep in mind for future roles. Avoid positions where this is possible, or make it clear to managers not to give you this type of information.

Agree with those saying to keep your mouth shut.
It’s highly unprofessional of you (still matters, even if you’re leaving). And actually just unkind to have people left in limbo longer than necessary.
You also don’t know the full details. “At risk” of redundancy doesn’t mean they will be made redundant. Sometimes other roles can be found/solutions met internally but the process still has to be followed.
Also, even if someone is made redundant, knowing and stewing for a few extra days with no details not only causes unnecessary stress, it could lead someone to make a decision that longer term is worse for them. What if someone who wasn’t going to be made redundant jumps ship to something they hate because they reacted to your negativity and half-facts? Also think about the financial impact of jumping ship too soon when they could be in for a nice payout if made redundant. You just don’t know, so the decent thing to do is keep your mouth shut and get on with your own life. You’re moving on anyway, so don’t let the “power” of knowing something others don’t go to your head. In other words, and not meaning to sound unkind, but mind your own business and stop stirring. Leaving unnecessary drama behind you is a sure way of making sure people are glad you’re gone.

that wouldn’t happen because

a) the uk based ones are under 2 years

b) the US based one can’t resign because they wouldn’t be able to claim unemployment.

So people would still “wait it out” or look for another job. The company is crumbling anyway

I have a colleague I’m close to, we’re friends outside of work, I know her children, I know she’s discrete. I would tell her if I found out her job was at risk.
But other colleagues, I’d worry about it getting out that I had told people.

Well if they can’t resign then it’s better that the company crumbles. So why make the atmosphere even more toxic before that happens? Just move on.

It’s already pretty toxic. People cry in meetings, others have been put on PIPs for no apparent reason.

We didn’t get our bonus and no explanation was given.

I’ve told my friend that for her own mental
health she should go off work for at least a week (but I don’t think they can in the US so easily).

I don’t think it will make it worse, but it won’t make it better either.

Telling them will not improve their situation. Most of them probably have a strong inkling that things are going tits up anyway. Just be professional and keep quiet.

I have been in this position several times. No. You can’t tell them. It would be very unprofessional to do so.

No you shouldn't say anything.

Things will play out as they do, and they may change from what you know now. For instance if one person hands their notice in ahead of the restructure an expected redundancy may no longer be in the plan. It could be very harmful to your reputation to have broken the work confidence. People move around the industry and come across each other again.

You have no way of knowing if those you told would break the confidence too. It would also be putting that heavy weight burden on their shoulders too if they don't tell anyone else what they now know.

@Givenup2026 - from what you say. you jumped ship for another job because you could see the writing on the wall. So people are already aware that there are problems. Telling them with half knowledge won't do them any favours at all. They will be told, when they will also find out at or near the same time, what redundancy or other compensation may or may not be available. Please don't relay what you were told in confidence

Yeah, it was quite obvious to me. Another colleague resigned at the same time as me.

The only minor difference is that I got approached (or poached if you like).

However, I already had a redundancy policy in place as I knew it would be silly not to.

I’ve been through this 4 times now (this would be my 5th).

well as an update, the announcement won’t be until Friday but it’s much worse than I thought. Also my departure means, someone else got to keep their job.

This is an interesting one. People who confide in another typically remove the choice from that person to pass on the information (by ‘keep it to yourself’). If the receiver had known they were going to add this restriction, they may well not have chosen to hear the news in the first place. It puts an unfair burden on the hearer. What right has the teller to do this especially if it affects the perceived loyalty of the receiver by their colleagues/friends?

No. Keep quiet.

Same. You can't go wrong doing this when it's to do with internal structuring or office politics.

personally whats to gain, even if you tell them etc

Yeah and I’ve told my friend I’ve ever hear about something affecting her directly. Now I know it will

what if you worded it in a way that eg you suspect theres something and its best to do x etc ?

You have to keep confidential information confidential, and plans could change anyway.
How bad would you feel if you let-slip that someone was being let go and they panicked and pre-emptively left for a lower-paid job, then it turned out management had changed the plan and they were actually going to be kept on?