Message #40227

[raindance]

I quite agree - you should definitely not tell your boss about your co-worker.  It is the duty of the person leaving to give in notice and it is their right.  It is also their right to change their minds if they so wish, so I advise you to stay away from this one.

I am a little concerned about your role as "go between" and I'm surprised that your boss encourages you to convey people's confidences to him.  A good boss doesn't hide behind his support staff.  He has an open door or at least a mechanism by which people can air their opinions and grievances.   I think that everyone who works at a senior level will be the recipient of many such confidences.  It often goes with the territory - people use you as a sounding board or just because they may be sure that it won't go further.  Very occasionally I may convey something to my boss that I think she needs to know, but that happens very rarely.  On the whole I listen, make soothing noises and helpful (or not) suggestions.  

My two bits.

Raindance