Would you feel bad about this?

[Poohforyou]

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.

All the coworker did was ask for a phone number and then state the op probably knew what was going to happen to her. Delete the text, delete her contract information and move on. I've worked in finance/IT for 25+ years even in a regulated industry those texts don't warrant sharing with management.

 

[Bluestars]

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 agree. An employee at the company I work for was terminated and she sent emails to various other employees asking for letters of recommendation and other things. All of us definitely showed these emails to her previous supervisors.

OP, you did the right thing.

 

[Mokat76]

OP, your gut was telling you something was fishy. You went with your gut. I think that was a wise call. You're not a terrible person at all. Hope you get the FT position.

 

[CarolAnn856]

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.

Then you should know that caution is never a bad thing.

Could an argument be made for not showing the text? Sure. Does having done so make the OP a "terrible person?" Not at all.

 

[bsblady01]

I was thinking about this story last night and something is not adding up with this at all. I don't think a manager would call you up and tell you someone was being let go and you needed to work.

 

[Poohforyou]

Then you should know that caution is never a bad thing.

Could an argument be made for not showing the text? Sure. Does having done so make the OP a "terrible person?" Not at all.

The OP asked if he were a "terrible person" or not. Those weren't my words. I think what he did was dumb especially given the type of job it is. We aren't talking insider trading or espionage.

 

[buzznina]

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.

Where does it say in the OP that the employee was disgruntled?? It is pretty much standard practice at company's to escort employees to get their belongings.