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The Ethics of Secrets

Wednesday 24 August, 2022
by Anonymous

A group of you had been working for some time to secure a large contract for your organisation. Having won the work, your colleague and friend Jason has been awarded the lead and you’ve been put on a secondary project. As the work gets underway, Jason confides in you that he is through to the final round of interviews for a new job elsewhere.

While initially disappointed at not getting the lead on the main project, you are still invested in the purpose and success of the project and can see how it could be compromised if Jason leaves. 

Is the potential risk to the success of the project more important than keeping the confidence of your colleague and friend?

key lying on a keyboard

What would you do?

 
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Comments

There are 4 comments for The Ethics of Secrets.

Re: The Ethics of Secrets

Thursday 25 August, 2022
by Patrick
I would respect Jason's confidence and ask him how he is mitigating the risk if he were to leave - e.g. suggest that he has good documentation, governance in place and succession.
Reply

Re: The Ethics of Secrets

Thursday 25 August, 2022
by Sean
Keep the confidence. At least at large organisations they are designed to be fail safe, people can step into the role. There are other people with the knowledge of that project (e.g. you) and the organisation will most likely be able to handle his departure in the ordinary course of business.
If it's a small company/team and there is key man risk, you should encourage Jason to tell his boss and also start mentally preparing yourself/pay more attention to that project than you otherwise would, to be able to maintain continuity or help inform to the person that steps into that role when/if he leaves.
Reply

Re: The Ethics of Secrets

Thursday 25 August, 2022
by Sean
Keep the confidence. At least at large organisations they are designed to be fail safe, people can step into the role. There are other people with the knowledge of that project (e.g. you) and the organisation will most likely be able to handle his departure in the ordinary course of business.
If it's a small company/team and there is key man risk, you should encourage Jason to tell his boss and also start mentally preparing yourself/pay more attention to that project than you otherwise would, to be able to maintain continuity or help inform to the person that steps into that role when/if he leaves.
Reply

Re: The Ethics of Secrets

Friday 26 August, 2022
by bernie
I would tell Jason that I can only hold this confidence if he has a formal meeting with me where he outlines his exit strategy. I have an ethical responsibility to my employer as well as him. When a lead leaves unexpectedly things can quickly go awry so he needs to map out what's done, what's still to be, reallocation of responsibility ie. how it will play out. If he is a tactical strategic type with integrity this will be easy for him and he wont be insulted. I can sleep easy myself. If he doesn't get the role no-one is wiser and he's had a chance to examine his role as well. It's also learning for me.
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