Question about the boss gone now - how to handle a sit.

[donnap99]

My ex-boss has received an e-mail from a buddy.  I'm tempted to forward the message to ex-bossie's wife, with a note something like:



 Jane,



I thought you may want to let these folks know how to get in touch with Dave...  it certainly isn't my place.



Take care, and tell Dave I said Hi.



Donna



What do you think?

 

[chris68]

Donna,



That seems fine to me.  



Chris68

[donnap99]

MM --



There is no new boss, and I have been asked to handle his incoming e-mails and direct them as appropriate, so by letter of the guidelines I have been given, this is not problematic to the e-mail policy.  



But your thoughts are certainly valid and would cause pause if I had not been given this directive.



The account has not been closed to allow for the trickle-down of divisions to hear the news, and for me to inform as necessary at this point.

 

[laundryhater]

No. Simply email a reply telling the buddy that this man is no longer with the company. Don't give out forwarding information or any other information, such as "he was fired" or "he quit". This is not your information to divulge.



If he emails back asking for this information, tell him that due to confidentiality, you are not able to provide it.



Any number of legal issues could come back to haunt you otherwise. What if this "buddy" is not actually a buddy and someone with an alterior motive? What if ex-wife and ex-boss did not end on good terms and accuses him of harrassment via you?



If this guy is really ex-boss' buddy, he should have known that boss doesn't work there anymore and how to contact ex-boss at home.

[donnap99]

1)  It's not an ex-wife.

2)  I know this guy is his buddy - I've spoken with him myself.  But apparently they haven't spoken in a couple of days - I know that buddy travels a lot.

3)  I'm not going to tell any of his buddies anything - that he's not here - nothing - which is why I wanted to just let ex-bossie's wife know that buddy was trying to reach him.

[execsec]

Donna,



I think what you're doing is the right thing.  If you know for certain that this is a buddy, I'd forward the message.  And you're right, it's not your place to divulge any information to anyone. You're just passing along a personal message.

[laundryhater]

Sorry, read your post wrong the first time about the wife (thought it said ex-wife).



Unless it's an emergency that this man get in touch with ex-boss a reply of "Mr. Smith is no longer with our company. Please contact him at home." is all that needs to be said.



If it is about something urgent, then I would forward the email to the wife (or better yet, if you know the wife's phone number to call her).



You are not obligated to make sure the ex-boss stays in touch with his friends.

[radaro]

Having been through this twice before, follow laundryhater's advice.  Simply advise the person that "Mr. Bossie is no longer with our company".  Let the person draw their own conclusions but don't give out any other information.  If this guy is a buddy of ex-boss, he will know how to get in touch with him.



And, as MM says, if they persist, refer them to HR.  This is a trying time, and SOME people may be looking for you to slip up.  Right now your loyalties have to lie with yourself (you need to keep your job) and to the company that employs you.



This, too, shall come to pass.

[donnap99]

OK, I sent it about an hour ago, and just received this reply from his wife:



Thank you - I will pass this information on...you can continue to route anything in e-mail to me....Thanks..



WHEW!

[whitesatin]

::Sniff:::: Sniff::::: <Wipes tear from eye>.  I just LOVES happy endings....



WS;