Chopping block

Went out with my VP for drinks and he told me a coworker of mine is on the chopping block. Should I give him the heads up or mind my own business? I don’t want to lose the confidence of the VP but I also want my buddy to know where he stands. Thoughts?

Should you tell a coworker if you know he’s about to get fired?

Attached poll
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🧢 Sales Management
29
GDO
Politicker
11
BDM
Yeah so your VP is an idiot. 

I lean towards telling them. 
goose
Politicker
2
Sales Executive
I won't argue with the first statement...
CuriousFox
WR Officer
9
🦊
Stay out of it. What if the VP changes their mind?
ExtremeVibeChecker44
Arsonist
5
Inside Sales
Remember when Lavar Ball was telling people "stay in your lane?" It's good advice.
TheSolicitorGeneral
Politicker
8
Small Market AE
Always assume that you're the only one told that information. Further assume that it could get back to the VP that you blabbed and betrayed his confidence. You don't want to end up on the shit list by being a nice guy, I've been there done that and bought the t-shirt.
Novaredneck
Valued Contributor
2
IoT Sales Specialist
This is what I was worried about 
goose
Politicker
1
Sales Executive
Your instincts are finely tuned.
SADNES5
Politicker
6
down voters are marketing spies
100% you gotta pretend you heard nothing. Chopping block does not mean fired.

Your friend will not like you knowing before them, and doesn't give them the ability to save face. 

Your VP may have had one too many.


Accidental_Sales_Guy
Politicker
4
Account Executive
This is the right answer. VP's should know better than to loose-lip these kinds of things. Your involvement here helps no one. 
funcoupons
WR Officer
5
👑
Tough. I would keep my mouth shut unless my co worker was an actual friend outside of work. 
slaydie
Big Shot
3
Account Executive
Thats a tough place to be in but I would pull your friend aside and let them know in confidence. I hate to put conditions on things but they got to promise not to blow up or react after you tell them. You don't want them to get crazy and confront the VP who then won't trust you again. It's a really tough position to be in. I'm so sorry. I hope your friend appreciates the honesty though and you can support them to find another job :)
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
3
☕️
I'm more confused about why your VP shared that with you...unless they want you to save them.
broski
Fire Starter
2
Business Development Executive
First of all any VP who is willing to tell their employees about other employees who are about to get fired shouldn't be a VP.

Therefore, you shouldn't worry about what they think of you because you probably don't want to be learning and developing from their skillset!!

Is there a way for you to alert your coworker without the info tying back to you?

What are the implications if you VP finds out it is you?

Should your coworker be fired?

Will your actions of telling (or not telling) change the overall outcome of the situation?

If YES was the answer to the last question that means you're an influential part of the company and you should probably confront your VP and let them know it's an unprofessional situation to be in and you don't want to know that information in the future :)

Good luck with your decision. 
Broncosfan
Politicker
2
Account Manager
If this is your friend, I'd go to VP and ask to help your friend get up to standard and if there's anything specific they need to work on.

If this is just a coworker, I do nothing.

Either way I'm not telling coworker anything about the convo. Office politics sucks though.
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
1
War Room Enthusiast
In these kind of scenarios I’d like to think about what how my colleague or friend would benefit from this information. If the VP made up his/her mind your colleague can’t really do anything about it.

It might just give them more stress ahead of time of why you knew and what will they do without a job. 

This could also be a test from your VP to se if you can be trusted. I would advice against it and instead be there for your colleague once they get the news. 
paddy
WR Officer
1
Director of Business Development
If he's your buddy tell him.
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Have to remember this could be a test and they want to see if you can be trusted. Also you have plausible deniability working for you. 
Novaredneck
Valued Contributor
0
IoT Sales Specialist
True
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Tough position to be in. There’s really no guilt and there’s no way you can take it back once you tell them. 
The.Machine
Politicker
1
Sales Development Lead
Really depends on how close a friend you are man. 
If he's too damn close, I would tell. 
CaneWolf
Politicker
1
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
Is this a work friend or an actual friend? If this is somebody who will no doubt be in your life for the next 10-15 years, I would say something. If it's just a work friend, keep your mouth shut.
Stratifyz
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
This could go sideways real quick. Let leaders break the news. 
goose
Politicker
1
Sales Executive
He knows.
RealEstateVeep
Politicker
1
VP of Real Estate
If it were me - I would want to know. Just don't do it in writing so you have deniability.
GrindingSales
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Double Edged Sword there.....If you have ties to them outside of work, I think not telling them would put a strain on your friendship.  However, telling them would put a strain on your own employment. 

At the end of the day, you have to do what is the best for yourself and your family that you provide for....I've fallen on coworkers swords too often and all I have to show for it is 2 steps back and a bad memory. 
UserNotFound
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I wouldn't tell your friend, but start asking them questions regarding if they've ever thought about another industry, drop things like "man the market is so hot I've almost considered applying for X". 


Just to get their brain headed in that direction, so that if/when the time comes it doesn't feel like a foreign concept to be in a position to be looking. 

Also, fuck your VP for putting you in that position.
asalesguy
Member
1
SAE (Senior Account Executive)
If the coworker is close with you, I'd say so. But you risk this getting back to the VP and then you hurt the relationship.
fuzzy
Notable Contributor
1
CMO (Chief Meme Officer)
VP is testing you. 
saaskicker
Celebrated Contributor
0
Enterprise AE
In my experience, if you're on the chopping block, you typically know you're on the chopping block. Your friend is probably interviewing out or waiting to miss the PIP and collect severance. 
Domino21
Old School Bravo
0
Enterprise Sales @ Microsoft
Not your place, but it might be worth reaching out to see how they are doing.
Captainredlines
0
Business Development Manager
Or… maybe peel the onion a bit with VP?
”why are they on the chopping block?”
”would it be helpful if a peer gave this rep a tiny heads up to help motivate them?”
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