Would you feel bad about this?

[gopher101]

So I got a call from work today, asking me if they could change my schedule around. They mentioned someone would be terminated. I said yes. Please keep in mind you have to sell yourself to get a full time position in my store. I already get over 30 hours per week, so I know they like me. They then ask me if I would mind working 40 hours a week for the next month or so. Since the person they are letting go is full time, I ask if I can get her full time position. They boss tells me the hr lady is gone for day remind her on Monday because she thinks that is what they want to do. I get to work, check people out and coworker is being escorted manager to get things and to the door. I ask manager about full time (different manager), he said if one was open, I would get it. Well coworker texts me to get a phone number for a cooperate manager. Not sure what to do, I showed text to yet another manager, he says to ignore coworker and do not answer. I ignore it, feeling terrible. So later around closing coworker, texts again, saying I guess you knew what was going to happen to me (I know no details). I show it to first manager (they take pictures of her texts to me), she tells me not to text her back because she was trying to place the blame on me trying to get me fired instead.


I still feel bad about not texting her the number. So does anyone else think I am a terrible person, or would you have done the same thing?

New info- The only reason she texted me is because I was the only one in my department at the time. The reason why I showed the managers the phone is because if you get let go you do not get an escort unless it is series. I had a gut feeling I should show the texts. I have been the one in the past to above and beyond for former coworkers (fired or otherwise)- calling cooperate on their behalf, getting all the info they need. So something inside of me told me to show the texts and I went with it.

 

[King Schultz]

You are a terrible person.



Just kidding- she was being let go and it had nothing to do with you. Perhaps you should have waited until it was a done deal before asking about replacing her, but it sounds like you were asked to fill in, so I get it.

I'm guessing she could have gotten the number she wanted from some other source than you- don't sweat it.

You were put in a bad situation through no fault of your own; you're not a terrible person.

 

[low-key]

l would of text her the number, but your not a bad person, at least not for that, I mean you might be a chain saw killer for all I know

 

[marlynnp]

I wouldn't have done either of your options. I would have completely ignored the texts. I wouldn't bother to respond but I certainly wouldn't show them to my manager either. I don't get the point of that.

 

[jevs]

Out of your control. Try not to feel bad.

 

[gotomu212]

No I would not text her back. She is fired and is trying to drag you into her mess. Any contact with her could cost you your job. I would ignore the text and block her number.

 

[buzznina]

Why would you show the managers the texts? I really do not get that either. And I also find it strange that your manager said that she was trying to put the blame on you, if that was the case, you would have been the last person she would have texted or she would have texted something to try and incriminate you. But all she asked for was a phone number. I get the feeling they do not want her to talk to the corporate Mgr, to hear what she says. There are always 2 sides to a story. I do not think she is trying to drag you into anything, again all she asked for was a phone number.

 

[Coonhound]

I would not text back. I agree with you about showing the texts to your manager. As you said, if the company thought it necessary to have an escort on site when the employee was terminated, it is not a good sign. You never know what the person is capable of. I'd ignore, ignore, ignore..

 

[ronandannette]

It depends on the workplace and I presume you know yours well enough to have made the right choice. At my company, under similar circumstances I definitely would have let my boss know if I was being approached by a disgruntled ex-employee, but lots of unique factors would play into that decision for me.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I would have just ignored them and gone on with work, why bother to show the managers? That thought would have never occurred to me.

 

[bsblady01]

I don't think you should have asked about the job right away it makes you look bad. I would ignore any messages from the person that was let go. They should have given her all the info she would need to get in touch with hr if they did not she could have found the info online.

 

[jevs]

I don't think you should have asked about the job right away it makes you look bad. I would ignore any messages from the person that was let go. They should have given her all the info she would need to get in touch with hr if they did not she could have found the info online.

Nope, I call that seizing the moment.

 

[Nettester]

I would have completely ignored the texts and deleted them. Your former co-worker can and should research on her own to find a contact number. No way I would risk my job to share information with her. I wouldn't show anyone her texts either. It's just a request for a number, not a threat. In any case, you really don't want to draw any attention to any association or connection you have or had to her

 

[Poohforyou]

Yes, I think you are a terrible person. It isn't because you didn't text your coworker the information she asked for but because you showed her texts to management? What would make you do that? I can't even imagine doing something like that unless serious threats were made. I also can't believe management took pictures. This is a store? You'd think you worked somewhere that required security clearance.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Nope, I call that seizing the moment.

 

[CarolAnn856]

Yes, I think you are a terrible person. It isn't because you didn't text your coworker the information she asked for but because you showed her texts to management? What would make you do that? I can't even imagine doing something like that unless serious threats were made. I also can't believe management took pictures. This is a store? You'd think you worked somewhere that required security clearance.

I take it you have never seen a disgruntled employee be terminated. Believe me, it is almost never a good scenario.

The OP said, in their store, you only get escorted out if something is very serious. OP already knew that it wasn't a typical firing, so based on the info given, showing management the text was definitely appropriate.

 

[Poohforyou]

I take it you have never seen a disgruntled employee be terminated. Believe me, it is almost never a good scenario.

The OP said, in their store, you only get escorted out if something is very serious. OP already knew that it wasn't a typical firing, so based on the info given, showing management the text was definitely appropriate.

I've seen coworkers escorted out by the fbi so I think I know a bit about terminations and disgruntled employees.

Like I said, had the texts been threatening showing them to management would have been the right thing. However, all the former coworker asked for was a phone number. Ignore it and move on.

 

[fly girl]

Yes, I think you are a terrible person. It isn't because you didn't text your coworker the information she asked for but because you showed her texts to management? What would make you do that? I can't even imagine doing something like that unless serious threats were made. I also can't believe management took pictures. This is a store? You'd think you worked somewhere that required security clearance.

Wow! That's harsh.


OP, you followed your gut. Your gut told you to show managers. You may feel deep down something isn't right, so you wanted to thwart off any potential ugly incident.

Who knows. Maybe it was an innocent text for a phone number. But why couldn't this person find the number on their own? Something seems fishy to me.

I don't think you're a bad person at all. IMHO, it seemed like you felt this text had more meaning than just asking for a number. Either way, what's done is done. If this is the worst thing you do then you're doing pretty good. Hope you get the full time position.

 

[Christine]

Yes, I think you are a terrible person. It isn't because you didn't text your coworker the information she asked for but because you showed her texts to management? What would make you do that? I can't even imagine doing something like that unless serious threats were made. I also can't believe management took pictures. This is a store? You'd think you worked somewhere that required security clearance.

The OP didn't say this was friend but a coworker. Granted, I don't work in a store but in an area of business that is probably deemed more "serious." You can bet if a coworker had to be escorted out for firing and that coworker texted me (and this coworker just happened to only be a coworker and texted me because I witnessed it), I would definitely let my employer know.

Now, if a friend of mine (who also happened to be a coworker) did this and I judged them to be relatively sane and they just needed to vent with me, that's a different matter. But a coworker I don't have any type of personal relationship with? I'd be letting management know.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

If I could, I would vote "neither"
You were being put into the middle of something that had nothing to do with you. If your company followed standard protocol, she would have been given the number for corporate HR if she wished to appeal the termination. If she was not given the number, Google is usually pretty helpful in these things.