Office Gossip Called By HR After She Snooped On Notoriously Private Coworker's Facebook Account And Announced What She Found

She said she simply wanted to get to know her coworker better to befriend her

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• October 24, 2023

An office snoop got in trouble with their company's HR when she announced certain things she found out about one coworker. A Reddit OP was the target of the gossip's online investigation.

OP is a notoriously private person. If compartmentalizing were a sport, OP would be a world-renowned Olympian.

She has been an employee at her current workplace for nine years. She slowly worked her way up and made some friends along the way.

Her coworkers treat her like an enigma. They discuss their personal lives with her, but she redirects their attempts to get to know her at a more unofficial level.

OP said she isn't ashamed of her home life but prefers not to discuss it at work. None of her coworkers know that she is married, has twin daughters, a dog, and a cheerful home life.

This wasn't a problem until Melinda walked into their office. She has been with their company for a year and took it upon herself to know everyone's business.

She says she wants to know and be friends with her coworkers. OP knew Melinda used the information she dug to hold over their coworkers' heads when needed.

She tried several times to pry into OP's life but failed. OP was Fort Knox, but Melinda had another card up her sleeve.

She came into work one Friday sporting a mischievous grin. At lunch, she announced that OP was married, had two daughters, a dog, and a nice house.

Melinda also informed their coworkers of OP's hobbies, sporting activities, and online presence. OP wasn't sure how Melinda found her because she used a shortened version of her first name and her married name on Facebook.

OP went straight to HR after what Melinda pulled

Their other coworkers acted like Melinda's insider info was Watergate

One of OP's coworker and friend confronted her

She said she was hurt that OP didn't trust any of them and held them in such low regard

OP tried to explain her side — that she doesn't like discussing her home life at work or her work life at home. OP apologized for hurting their feelings, but she can't fathom why it was such a big deal.

If Melinda used a company device to spy on OP, then she's screwed

Others were in disbelief that Melinda thought it was a non-issue to "stalk" a coworker to this degree

Her plan backfired. Now, their coworkers don't trust either her or OP.

Redditors said OP shouldn't be surprised that her dynamic with her coworkers changed after Melinda's revelation

It's not out of place for her coworkers, especially those she was friendly with, to feel betrayed by learning she hid an entire part of who she is for nine years

OP knew things about their home life, while she redirected every attempt for them to get to know even a minute detail about hers

Melinda was a massive jerk, but OP shouldn't be surprised about her coworkers' reactions. They are simply matching the energy she put in their relationships these past nine years.

Besides, doesn't this accomplish OP's desire to keep her work and home life completely separate?

OP shared an update. She and Melinda were called to the HR's office to explain their sides. Melinda claimed innocent curiosity out of desire to be good friends with OP.

OP's rep was confused why Melinda felt she had to divulge details of a coworkers personal life at work. Melinda was given a formal reprimand, nothing more.

The saga isn't concluded yet; Melinda could still be reassigned to another department. It was bold of her to send OP a follow request on Instagram after what she did.

OP said she will try to be more forthcoming with her coworkers. She still doesn't feel comfortable mixing her two worlds, but if she wants genuine friendships, she can't hide a huge chunk of who she is from them.

Chelsi