Would you tell a coworker they're going to be demoted?

Nurses General Nursing

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Would you tell a co worker when you know that the boss is getting ready to "demote" them and on what date?

My boss has hired another nurse to come in and take the place of a friend of mine, but has not told my friend because she wants her to continue working at her position until we get through the state survey.

She then has plans to change her position to floor nurse or ask her to leave. I feel this is wrong on so many levels, and I would want to know if I were in her shoes.

Should I tell her? Not tell her?

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Nope. Stay out of it.

That's a tough one. Did you find out accidentally, or were you informed? If you were informed, the boss already involved you. For me, I guess it would come down to what I cared more about- the friend, or the job.

Heard it from the boss. It's a very toxic environment, to say the least... For all of us. The boss has "issues" which make the mood swings almost unbearable at times.... One day is all peaches and cream and the next, it is hell fire. I have been screamed at and talked to like I have no brain, as have the others. The boss is very demeaning to all of us. A few of my staff have never even had a conversation with the boss in the 5 years they have been employed there....

Specializes in General Internal Medicine, ICU.

I'd stay out of it. It's not your job or place to tell your co worker what you know.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

It depends on how much you value this job. Please realize that you will most likely end up with a bulls-eye on your back if you disclose the demotion plans to your friend.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Anonymous note? She deserves a heads up, but you deserve not to be stuck in the middle of what is bound to be an ugly situation.

what are you still doing there?

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Anonymous note? She deserves a heads up, but you deserve not to be stuck in the middle of what is bound to be an ugly situation.
I totally concur...leaving the friend an anonymous note would be a feasible idea.

We are to do onto others as we'd want done for us. Personally, I'd want to be tipped off if some weasel manager planned to demote me.

Thought my boss was nuts!!

Nope. Stay out of it.

I hope you're not my coworker. You'd let me die under the bus. Yikes!

Specializes in ORTHO, PCU, ED.

If she were my friend I would tell her. That's just me. Kinda depends on how much you trust your friend too though. Is she going to throw you under the bus.

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