Called into a meeting and told we are being made redundant (laid off) and “not to share outside”. Can I...
As title. Just been told we are being laid off, and asked to keep it confidential from anyone outside this room.
They sent us home "to absorb the news".
Is it really the case that we cannot tell partners/spouses and have to keep it to ourselves?
When can I tell my partner? or I have to get clearance to tell?
My partner is at home so I can't turn up late with this.
human-resources employer-relations mental-health
asked 6 hours ago
user100811user100811
211
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As title. Just been told we are being laid off, and asked to keep it confidential from anyone outside this room.
They sent us home "to absorb the news".
Is it really the case that we cannot tell partners/spouses and have to keep it to ourselves?
When can I tell my partner? or I have to get clearance to tell?
My partner is at home so I can't turn up late with this.
human-resources employer-relations mental-health
asked 6 hours ago
user100811user100811
211
New contributor
user100811 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
They mean "anyone outside this room who also works here." They do not mean your partner/spouse. Of course you can tell your partner/spouse.
– joeqwerty
6 hours ago
6
Want are they going to do if you tell others - fire you?
– henning
6 hours ago
Please don't answer questions in comments. If you know the answer, write an answer.
– DJClayworth
6 hours ago
@henning Possibly, yes. At least in the UK, would save them on the non-trivial redundancy payments, and would also have consequences for future references and the like.
– Philip Kendall
5 hours ago
4
What did they give you in return for a promise of confidentiality? If nothing, then you can do whatever you like.
– Joe Strazzere
5 hours ago
add a comment |
As title. Just been told we are being laid off, and asked to keep it confidential from anyone outside this room.
They sent us home "to absorb the news".
Is it really the case that we cannot tell partners/spouses and have to keep it to ourselves?
When can I tell my partner? or I have to get clearance to tell?
My partner is at home so I can't turn up late with this.
human-resources employer-relations mental-health
asked 6 hours ago
user100811user100811
211
New contributor
user100811 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
As title. Just been told we are being laid off, and asked to keep it confidential from anyone outside this room.
They sent us home "to absorb the news".
Is it really the case that we cannot tell partners/spouses and have to keep it to ourselves?
When can I tell my partner? or I have to get clearance to tell?
My partner is at home so I can't turn up late with this.
human-resources employer-relations mental-health
human-resources employer-relations mental-health
asked 6 hours ago
user100811user100811
211
New contributor
user100811 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 6 hours ago
user100811user100811
211
New contributor
user100811 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 6 hours ago
user100811user100811
211
New contributor
user100811 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 6 hours ago
user100811user100811
211
asked 6 hours ago
user100811user100811
211
211
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user100811 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
user100811 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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2
They mean "anyone outside this room who also works here." They do not mean your partner/spouse. Of course you can tell your partner/spouse.
– joeqwerty
6 hours ago
6
Want are they going to do if you tell others - fire you?
– henning
6 hours ago
Please don't answer questions in comments. If you know the answer, write an answer.
– DJClayworth
6 hours ago
@henning Possibly, yes. At least in the UK, would save them on the non-trivial redundancy payments, and would also have consequences for future references and the like.
– Philip Kendall
5 hours ago
4
What did they give you in return for a promise of confidentiality? If nothing, then you can do whatever you like.
– Joe Strazzere
5 hours ago
add a comment |
2
They mean "anyone outside this room who also works here." They do not mean your partner/spouse. Of course you can tell your partner/spouse.
– joeqwerty
6 hours ago
6
Want are they going to do if you tell others - fire you?
– henning
6 hours ago
Please don't answer questions in comments. If you know the answer, write an answer.
– DJClayworth
6 hours ago
@henning Possibly, yes. At least in the UK, would save them on the non-trivial redundancy payments, and would also have consequences for future references and the like.
– Philip Kendall
5 hours ago
4
What did they give you in return for a promise of confidentiality? If nothing, then you can do whatever you like.
– Joe Strazzere
5 hours ago
2
2
They mean "anyone outside this room who also works here." They do not mean your partner/spouse. Of course you can tell your partner/spouse.
– joeqwerty
6 hours ago
They mean "anyone outside this room who also works here." They do not mean your partner/spouse. Of course you can tell your partner/spouse.
– joeqwerty
6 hours ago
6
6
Want are they going to do if you tell others - fire you?
– henning
6 hours ago
Want are they going to do if you tell others - fire you?
– henning
6 hours ago
Please don't answer questions in comments. If you know the answer, write an answer.
– DJClayworth
6 hours ago
Please don't answer questions in comments. If you know the answer, write an answer.
– DJClayworth
6 hours ago
@henning Possibly, yes. At least in the UK, would save them on the non-trivial redundancy payments, and would also have consequences for future references and the like.
– Philip Kendall
5 hours ago
@henning Possibly, yes. At least in the UK, would save them on the non-trivial redundancy payments, and would also have consequences for future references and the like.
– Philip Kendall
5 hours ago
4
4
What did they give you in return for a promise of confidentiality? If nothing, then you can do whatever you like.
– Joe Strazzere
5 hours ago
What did they give you in return for a promise of confidentiality? If nothing, then you can do whatever you like.
– Joe Strazzere
5 hours ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
You're not in the army, in prison or at school - you can tell whoever you like. What are they going to do if you do ?
answered 5 hours ago
MattMatt
43329
add a comment |
I would be astonished to find a jurisdiction that did not allow you to tell your partner. Many places, your partner cannot even be compelled to testify against you, so unless your partner passed the information along, nobody would ever know. That said, in telling your partner, you do become responsible for whomever they tell, if you're in a jurisdiction that provides a reason for you to not tell whomever you want.
In any event, you can at least tell your partner that you need to find a new job, along with any headhunters, recruiters, or potential employers. There's nothing that says you'd need to explain. If pressed, you could always say, "I can't keep working there. I can't talk about it."
answered 2 hours ago
Ed GrimmEd Grimm
1515
New contributor
Ed Grimm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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Only you know your specific circumstances, but I can offer an example of a situation similar to yours.
I have been laid off in corporate restructurings 5 times in my 20 years (I work in a technology field, so this is common). In one case, the HR person asked me not to discuss my layoff with others at the company while I was still permitted to be in the building. Her hope was that I would collect my things discreetly and leave. I considered her request to be reasonable and I left. I even offered to return to the company at a later time to collect my personal things when folks were not expected to be in the office and she agreed to help do this. I think we both were able to make the best out of a bad situation.
Layoffs are tough, yet if you are asked to behave in odd ways by the people letting you, you can every obligation to clarify their expectations and to act professionally.
answered 34 mins ago
user18539user18539
15315
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
You're not in the army, in prison or at school - you can tell whoever you like. What are they going to do if you do ?
answered 5 hours ago
MattMatt
43329
add a comment |
You're not in the army, in prison or at school - you can tell whoever you like. What are they going to do if you do ?
answered 5 hours ago
MattMatt
43329
add a comment |
You're not in the army, in prison or at school - you can tell whoever you like. What are they going to do if you do ?
answered 5 hours ago
MattMatt
43329
You're not in the army, in prison or at school - you can tell whoever you like. What are they going to do if you do ?
answered 5 hours ago
MattMatt
43329
answered 5 hours ago
MattMatt
43329
answered 5 hours ago
MattMatt
43329
answered 5 hours ago
MattMatt
43329
43329
add a comment |
add a comment |
I would be astonished to find a jurisdiction that did not allow you to tell your partner. Many places, your partner cannot even be compelled to testify against you, so unless your partner passed the information along, nobody would ever know. That said, in telling your partner, you do become responsible for whomever they tell, if you're in a jurisdiction that provides a reason for you to not tell whomever you want.
In any event, you can at least tell your partner that you need to find a new job, along with any headhunters, recruiters, or potential employers. There's nothing that says you'd need to explain. If pressed, you could always say, "I can't keep working there. I can't talk about it."
answered 2 hours ago
Ed GrimmEd Grimm
1515
New contributor
Ed Grimm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
I would be astonished to find a jurisdiction that did not allow you to tell your partner. Many places, your partner cannot even be compelled to testify against you, so unless your partner passed the information along, nobody would ever know. That said, in telling your partner, you do become responsible for whomever they tell, if you're in a jurisdiction that provides a reason for you to not tell whomever you want.
In any event, you can at least tell your partner that you need to find a new job, along with any headhunters, recruiters, or potential employers. There's nothing that says you'd need to explain. If pressed, you could always say, "I can't keep working there. I can't talk about it."
answered 2 hours ago
Ed GrimmEd Grimm
1515
New contributor
Ed Grimm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
I would be astonished to find a jurisdiction that did not allow you to tell your partner. Many places, your partner cannot even be compelled to testify against you, so unless your partner passed the information along, nobody would ever know. That said, in telling your partner, you do become responsible for whomever they tell, if you're in a jurisdiction that provides a reason for you to not tell whomever you want.
In any event, you can at least tell your partner that you need to find a new job, along with any headhunters, recruiters, or potential employers. There's nothing that says you'd need to explain. If pressed, you could always say, "I can't keep working there. I can't talk about it."
answered 2 hours ago
Ed GrimmEd Grimm
1515
New contributor
Ed Grimm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I would be astonished to find a jurisdiction that did not allow you to tell your partner. Many places, your partner cannot even be compelled to testify against you, so unless your partner passed the information along, nobody would ever know. That said, in telling your partner, you do become responsible for whomever they tell, if you're in a jurisdiction that provides a reason for you to not tell whomever you want.
In any event, you can at least tell your partner that you need to find a new job, along with any headhunters, recruiters, or potential employers. There's nothing that says you'd need to explain. If pressed, you could always say, "I can't keep working there. I can't talk about it."
answered 2 hours ago
Ed GrimmEd Grimm
1515
New contributor
Ed Grimm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
Ed GrimmEd Grimm
1515
New contributor
Ed Grimm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
Ed GrimmEd Grimm
1515
answered 2 hours ago
Ed GrimmEd Grimm
1515
1515
New contributor
Ed Grimm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Ed Grimm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Ed Grimm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
Only you know your specific circumstances, but I can offer an example of a situation similar to yours.
I have been laid off in corporate restructurings 5 times in my 20 years (I work in a technology field, so this is common). In one case, the HR person asked me not to discuss my layoff with others at the company while I was still permitted to be in the building. Her hope was that I would collect my things discreetly and leave. I considered her request to be reasonable and I left. I even offered to return to the company at a later time to collect my personal things when folks were not expected to be in the office and she agreed to help do this. I think we both were able to make the best out of a bad situation.
Layoffs are tough, yet if you are asked to behave in odd ways by the people letting you, you can every obligation to clarify their expectations and to act professionally.
answered 34 mins ago
user18539user18539
15315
add a comment |
Only you know your specific circumstances, but I can offer an example of a situation similar to yours.
I have been laid off in corporate restructurings 5 times in my 20 years (I work in a technology field, so this is common). In one case, the HR person asked me not to discuss my layoff with others at the company while I was still permitted to be in the building. Her hope was that I would collect my things discreetly and leave. I considered her request to be reasonable and I left. I even offered to return to the company at a later time to collect my personal things when folks were not expected to be in the office and she agreed to help do this. I think we both were able to make the best out of a bad situation.
Layoffs are tough, yet if you are asked to behave in odd ways by the people letting you, you can every obligation to clarify their expectations and to act professionally.
answered 34 mins ago
user18539user18539
15315
add a comment |
Only you know your specific circumstances, but I can offer an example of a situation similar to yours.
I have been laid off in corporate restructurings 5 times in my 20 years (I work in a technology field, so this is common). In one case, the HR person asked me not to discuss my layoff with others at the company while I was still permitted to be in the building. Her hope was that I would collect my things discreetly and leave. I considered her request to be reasonable and I left. I even offered to return to the company at a later time to collect my personal things when folks were not expected to be in the office and she agreed to help do this. I think we both were able to make the best out of a bad situation.
Layoffs are tough, yet if you are asked to behave in odd ways by the people letting you, you can every obligation to clarify their expectations and to act professionally.
answered 34 mins ago
user18539user18539
15315
Only you know your specific circumstances, but I can offer an example of a situation similar to yours.
I have been laid off in corporate restructurings 5 times in my 20 years (I work in a technology field, so this is common). In one case, the HR person asked me not to discuss my layoff with others at the company while I was still permitted to be in the building. Her hope was that I would collect my things discreetly and leave. I considered her request to be reasonable and I left. I even offered to return to the company at a later time to collect my personal things when folks were not expected to be in the office and she agreed to help do this. I think we both were able to make the best out of a bad situation.
Layoffs are tough, yet if you are asked to behave in odd ways by the people letting you, you can every obligation to clarify their expectations and to act professionally.
answered 34 mins ago
user18539user18539
15315
answered 34 mins ago
user18539user18539
15315
answered 34 mins ago
user18539user18539
15315
answered 34 mins ago
user18539user18539
15315
15315
add a comment |
add a comment |
user100811 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user100811 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user100811 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
user100811 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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2
They mean "anyone outside this room who also works here." They do not mean your partner/spouse. Of course you can tell your partner/spouse.
– joeqwerty
6 hours ago
6
Want are they going to do if you tell others - fire you?
– henning
6 hours ago
Please don't answer questions in comments. If you know the answer, write an answer.
– DJClayworth
6 hours ago
@henning Possibly, yes. At least in the UK, would save them on the non-trivial redundancy payments, and would also have consequences for future references and the like.
– Philip Kendall
5 hours ago
4
What did they give you in return for a promise of confidentiality? If nothing, then you can do whatever you like.
– Joe Strazzere
5 hours ago