Assume the following scenario:
You hear from your boss that she is going to fire David, your coworker. "I don't have to tell you, but don't mention anything to David. He's working on a very important project and I want him to put his best into it", she says.
You later see David in the hallway (probably by the water cooler) and he says he is so excited about a new house that he and his wife really liked and are going to buy. "We have actually put an offer on the house. They're going to call us any minute.", says David, "We can hardly afford it, but I think, we'll be OK".
You have two options:
- Tell David that he's going to be fired, so that he doesn't buy the house and face a huge financial burden. In this case, you will betray your boss's confidence, and may create some problem for the company as David may sabotage the project.
- You can say nothing. David will buy the house and put his family in danger, financially. Your company will be OK.
Which option do you choose and why?