Administrator. Scenario 9 of 13. Gossip and confidentiality

Did you hear about Priya?

You process the sickness absence forms, so you know that your colleague Priya is off with stress.

In the kitchen, two colleagues are guessing why she is away. One turns to you: "You do the forms. What's really going on with her?"

What is the best call?

Tell them, but ask them to keep it to themselves.

Not the best call

Health information is some of the most sensitive there is, and you only know it because of your job. Asking people to keep a secret you have just broken does not work. Priya would find out who it came from.

Say, "I can't talk about what's on anyone's forms. If you're worried about her, why not send her a message?"

Good call

You have held the line without being cold, and pointed them to something kind they can do. It also tells them their own details would be safe with you, which is what makes people trust an administrator.

Say, "It's nothing serious," to stop the guessing.

Not the best call

Any comment on her condition, even a reassuring one, shares what you know. It is also not true, and it may come back to you. The safe answer says nothing about Priya at all.

Leave the kitchen without answering.

Could be better

You have not shared anything, which matters most. But walking out can look like a hint that there is something to hide, and they will ask again. One clear sentence closes it for good.

The principle

What you learn through your job stays in your job. You can refuse to discuss someone and still be warm: say you cannot talk about it, and suggest they ask the person.