Message #41440

[sobriquetnic]

Hi there

I found 'gossiping' to be one of my biggest problems once I became the main PA in our office.

I had previously worked in the office in the IT department, but had never really felt the need to gossip as I had previously been the victim of it and didn't like it at all!  When I became PA to our Deputy MD, he stressed how important it was for him to be able to trust me and I totally respected that.

Anyway....the girl that had the job before me for a while couldn't come back to it after maternity leave as she reduced her hours greatly.  I did not tell her anything that my boss had told me in confidence as I did not feel she needed to know any more.  Whenever she found out something later from elsewhere (e.g. once it was common knowledge) she always seemed slightly peeved that I had not told her.

As far as I am concerned, when my boss says 'just between us' that means exactly that.  I simply cannot risk his trust by divulging certain pieces of information.

All the best,
Nicola.