So firstly, I think it would be great if you guys read a couple of threads I posted before to get some background on this particular situation. Here are the links:

https://forums.psychcentral.com/work...-dilemnas.html

https://forums.psychcentral.com/work...g-dynamic.html

So now comes the actual advice part. The short version of the story is that, the owners of the company I work for have decided to part ways and dissolve the company. With that, it means that the main property we manage is going to go to one of the owners' personal company to take care of.

This afternoon my supervisor asked me to stay behind after work in order to talk to me about it. She started off reassuring me that I had nothing to worry about but that our conversation was to be strictly confidential. Not a good sign.

She went on to tell me that I would be approached by my main boss with an offer and by the other boss (the one taking over the property) with another offer to either stay where I am or go work for him. I was glad that that meant I was not only keeping my job, but that I may be getting a competitive salary which is always awesome. But something was still making me uneasy, so I asked her what was going to happen with my co-worker (the one I talk about in the links above). I asked, would this mean she is going to go work for the other boss, and she said no. So naively I asked, OK so that means she is staying here....and the answer was no. The owners have decided to lay her off, and when she told me that she might as well had told me I was the one getting laid off, I felt so gutted and distraught. I tried to make a case for her (of course to no avail because my supervisor has no say in the matter) because she has a daughter to care for, and a home, and a family. My supervisor agreed, and said she too felt terrible because she has school-fees, etc, but said that that was what the owners decided to do.

I said I felt horrible that they are going to lay her off and asked if there was in any way shape or form that I may have caused this to happen or if I did something to make anyone think that she cant do something because she is a hell of a great working person and she basically made me who I am, anything I couldn't do or did wrong she was there to help me. Supervisor assured me it had nothing to do with our productivity or the level of work she gives. I am not too sure I buy it that she honestly feels as bad as she says she does, but anyway.

I guess I've been rambling too much but the reason why I need advice is because I really cant get it out of my head that I may be at fault as to why they would choose to get rid of her. I think she is far more capable than I am, I am just good at pretending like I am I guess. I know my supervisor insisted that it has nothing to do with me, it was the owners who came to that decision but I don't know. And I guess knowing that my coworker will probably think exactly what I am I thinking (that I caused her to loose her job) is what has me most on edge. I am so conflicted because obviously I dont want to be without a job, but then I dont want to think about putting her family through that hardship of her not working either. I don't know how I am supposed to face her the rest of this week until our supervisor hands out letters informing us exactly what is going on, or even worse, if she chooses to stick around, the next few weeks until the division goes into full effect.

I mean, should I stay where I am or do the noble thing and give up my spot for her? I dont understand why they would offer me two spots and not any to her. My heart is telling me, the right thing to do is let her have your job. Sacrifice yourself. But the logical part of me is telling me, she has so many connections and is friendly with so many people she should be able to find a job fairly easily, you dont have that luxury. Keep your job. But if I keep my job, how am I supposed to face alot of the people I would have to deal with on a regular basis? Because I know alot of people (who are not in the know) would find it despicable and unfair that I get to keep my job and she has been working there longer than I have and has a million more responsibilities than I do, has to go find something else.

I don't know what to do I am a nervous wreck!!! As selfish as it sounds, I guess it would make me more at ease to know the reason why they picked me and not her, but I don't know. I don't know what to do, I just know I feel so horrible and stressed out beyond belief. And her best friend works for the other boss, I wonder if maybe her friend knows something and has said something to her and hasn't told me. I just almost want to wish she would make the decision for me so I could live in peace knowing I didn't inconvenience her in any way. That would make it easier to live with myself.

P.S. kudos to those who actually read this whole long thing :/