Dear Christine,
I AM FACED with a situation which is causing me a level of discomfort and I need your advice.
I have been away from the office for the past three months having had to undergo surgery. My husband works at the same office as I do. Unfortunately, my sick time has not been met with any sympathy by co-workers who have started a rumour that my husband is having an affair with one of the girls at work.
This particular woman is supposed to be a friend of mine and she visits our home. The rumour started when she and my husband left work together on two occasions to collect lunch from the same restaurant. They also were seen together during a visit to the pharmacy, and according to rumours, they joke and laugh a lot at work.
Do you see anywhere in there where it can be alleged that my husband is sleeping with my friend? I am either naive or plain stupid to believe that he is.
Christine, I know that nothing is going on between the two of them because on each occasion the individuals tried to “put two and two together”, I knew of my husband’s and my friend’s whereabouts. In fact, the day they went to the pharmacy together, it was because I asked her to accompany him to make sure he got the prescription right and I had personally asked her to get an item for me.
My friend does not drive and so, we give her rides regularly.
I am due to return to work shortly and I must face these “gossipers” who should actually be spending time doing their work.
My reason for writing is to ask whether I should speak to them face-to-face about their malicious and callous ways. I want them to know the rumour is really a lie and that they need to mind their own business.
It’s people like these who make work environments a place where you really do not want to be. Advise me, please.
– A.L.
Dear A.L.,
You do not have to explain anything to anyone. You know the truth, your husband knows the truth and your friend knows the truth. You can never stop people from believing what they want to believe; that’s just life. Ignore the gossipers and just keep going on.
– CHRISTINE