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I am presently interning at a company as a part of my B.Tech curriculum. This is my final semester, and once this internship ends that is the end of my B.Tech degree.

One of my B Tech colleagues also works here, and HR has informed me that while I will be hired once the internship ends, he will not be. They have also asked me to keep this information to myself, as they don't want him to lose focus.

I believe he has the right to know, but in the past he has acted irrationally, and I suspect that he would confront HR with this information. Should I let him know - which also endangers my chances here - or should I go along with what is happening and not let him know to look for other jobs until it's too late?

First of all, what I believe, HR should not have disclosed this information in first place.

However, given the situation, I strongly suggest not to disclose it. As I read it, it's still a company secret (yet to be revealed officially), so not your place to reveal it.

Alongside that, it's a good chance to teach yourself how to handle the confidential information. I'd not say this is a good example for the exercise, however, make the best out of it.

That said, maybe I'm overthinking this, but given that

I believe he has the right to know but in the past he has acted irrationally with information and I suspect that if I tell him he will confront the HR with the same information.

this can be case where you are being tested on how you handle confidential information revealed to you by chance and how compliant you are with InfoSec (Information Security) policies.

HR told you not to tell him

You're saying telling him is a bad idea.

And you're asking should I tell him?

What do you think?

HR seemed to be honest with you, they trusted you. As you describe the situation, you cannot do much to help your colleague.

But if you inform him, there is a significant chance that you shoot yourself in the foot. As you already fear, HR will find out, and they will surely not be happy.

In life, some things happen, and you cannot save everybody. Sad, but true. Let your colleague deal with his own problems, you deal with yours.

I see two problem statements here -

• You know something which you should not have known. Somebody breached the rule and told you some information which you should protect now. My Suggestion is don't tell it to your friend or else he and you both will be in trouble. Even if you tell him this information, it is not going to help him out. He will confront HR and lose reference as well. He wasn't getting the job anyway.


• 2nd, you want to help your colleague.
  Don't even hint it to the other person if he is not very close to him.
  Now, I would tell him that it is always a good idea to keep a backup plan if you don't get the job with the current organization. Also include that if offered, your first preference to take the job here. Again, don't bring up this conversation by yourself, but don't be afraid to tell him above in case he looks worried. If your colleague is not smart enough to take the hint, it is not your problem anymore.

You should not tell your colleague.

It's not your responsibility to tell them. Given that you called this person a colleague rather than friend, you don't seem to have emotional closeness to this person. You don't owe them anything. One of the best skills for a professional is discerning when it's best to mind your own business.

Additionally, just because someone from HR told you, doesn't mean it's necessarily true. If you can't verify it, it's just gossip. Another great skill that will increase your professional value is not spreading gossip.