I have a co-worker in my team (let's call him John) who is supposed to be working with a woman from another company. She's on a fixed duration contract. It's bit like outsourcing because her employment contract is with another firm, but she's on site with us in the office every day. She has a desk right next to John. For all practical matters she's a colleague. Let's call her Alice.
I'm on good terms with her. Today she came into my office (a couple doors down the corridor) and as we started chatting it became clear that she has nothing to do. She's been really bored for the past weeks and she complained that receiving no assignments from John is affecting her mood and dead-locking her career. Her contract lasts for at least 4 more months and she is considering quitting because she is so bored.
Now here's the thing, John is supposed to manage her by delegating tasks and tutoring, but he largely refuses to do so (despite her numerous requests) because he has a hard time trusting others with his work. But he specifically requested this outsourcing help a few months ago (he's often doing overtime despite management asking him to go home on time).
I recommended that she talks privately about the situation with her boss (back at her company) or John's boss (who's also my boss). She said she's not comfortable doing that because she fears it will upset John because it would shed light on his inability to delegate or the fact that he did not need outsourced help after all (or is unable to use it), and ultimately fall back on her.
I empathize with her difficult situation and I want to help if possible. But I don't want to overstep boundaries or upset John. I should add that John is an experienced senior engineer (close to retirement) and Alice and I are both in our early twenties. Plus, John's work and mine are largely unrelated.
Should I talk to John's boss (who's also my boss) or mind my own business?