[docflabby]

I think in most circumstances you can't. A lot of the time bad news is known in advance and the timing for release is a carefully controlled process so while you know things are bad you have to lie by omission by not sharing until the designated time the actual decision makers have decided...

I once signed a 12 month contract extension and 7 days later (5 days before christmas) there was a big meeting and I and 50+ other people were escorted off the office by security as the whole project cancelled.

I'm pretty sure the manager know the project was going to be cancelled but he had to issue new contracts anyway he know would be torn up as they were not ready to officially announce yet...