Have you ever had confidential information leak that reflected on you or your department?One of the worst surprises for a supervisor is having confidential information repeated back from an inappropriate source. How could this have leaked? Who leaked it?
Tracing back information to the source may be easy or difficult.
- Sometimes there is a twist of the facts or misinterpretation embedded in the confidential feedback that makes traceability easy.
- Sometimes if you simply ask, you can trace back through the individuals participating in the gossip.
- Sometimes too many people were in on the original confidential meeting, making a successful trace extremely unlikely.
Dealing with a "leaker" employee (if you successfully trace them):
- Set up a one-on-one meeting to discuss the situation in private
- Note to the leaking employee how their action has a negative impact on the company
- Discuss consequences for continued leaking of information (varies from reprimand to cutoff future career opportunities to termination).
When you can't find the source of the leak:
- Narrow down to a list of potential sources if possible
- Stay alert and keep all future information close at hand
- Disclose only parts of confidential information to individual employees at a time (if possible)
Eventually, a blabbermouth will blab again. Once an employee is known to be a "leaker", they are on my personal "do not disclose anything, except at your own peril" list. And their career opportunities in my company would be limited.
It pays to keep confidences quiet!
