To feel bad for the new employee at work

Given that they all work in Asset and Wealth Management for HNWIs, I doubt she's in a minority being wealthy. Private banking is awash with privately educated and very well-off individuals.

Which makes this all the more weird. I think it's more likely to be that she's an easy target because she's younger (so more junior) and female, as opposed to the Eton educated older men in the office.

Unfortunately if she's a minority of wealthy people at work, people think it gives them a pass to treat her like shit. I've seen it happen many times. It is envy and jealously and honestly, people can't help themselves. They love to hate even when it doesn't improve their lives at all.
However on the reverse, if someone not so wealthy was singled out, bullied at work people would be saying take it further, it's unfair. It should be the same regardless IMO

She’s going to have to toughen up a bit it sounds like.

Yeah I agree they shouldn’t have done that. I hadn’t read that update when I posted my comment.

This is all so odd bearing in mind the industry you are working in. I mean she is probably relatively poor compared to many of the clients your colleagues are dealing with on a daily basis.

All very odd.

Yes, expensive clothes are par for the course in that industry, not exactly unusual. Unless she's dripping head to toe in diamonds, it's hard to imagine what she could be wearing to stand out?

Exactly, context is important and this sounds like she's being picked on.
She isn't wearing expensive clothes and discussing her flat with her colleagues at, I don't know the care home.

what about her colleagues for pushing and questioning her despite the fact she was uncomfortable? aren't they supposed to have sufficient emotional intelligence to not push someone for personal information?

they all work in private banking - i very much doubt this is the first time they have ever encountered a colleague from a wealthy background. particularly as some of them were educated at eton, which is not cheap.

I voted yabu as it sounds like she has absolutely no emotional intelligence and doesn’t read the room. If she did she would realise it’s not a great idea to let her work colleagues know she got a million pound flat as a graduation gift.

I went to a comp in the North East and I learned very quickly at work (in the south) not to let on that I’d been given a deposit for my first house! People always assume North East = working class poor person, they’re quite surprised when I tell them that none of my family are working class and I was the ‘posh’ one at my school 🤣

Will those colleagues hound her to have a flat warming party so that they can bitch about her. Or bitch about her if she doesn't have a party.

that surprised me as well. it's more common than not.

Seems even stranger that they'd find it all that shocking in that case

given the industry you work in, it's not at all unusual for people working there to come from wealthy backgrounds.

I’ve only just read that. Another time it might have good to say her dad helped and change the subject. I really wanted to suggest that she might not be used to these situations and would do well to prepare for future conversations with people who may be shocked at her financial position.

Or just point out that they are jealous each time a nasty comment is made.

in Your shoes I’d directly ask them to be supportive of her and stop picking faults. You're all a team and need to pull together. She is nothing but kind about them and you expect them to be the same in return.

the people criticising are just envious.

op's update says she was being cross questioned.

So she is starting to become aware of their attitude?

Being jealous is one thing, but negatively judging people only because they have something that you don’t is just sad to be honest.
People like this will live a bitter life, resenting others for their own situation.

There will always be some people who don't like you and disapprove of your choices, regardless of who you are.

I just ignore it and only share personal info with people I trust. If other people think I'm stand-offish because I don't want to discuss my personal life with them, well that's on them! Better than giving people ammunition.

Yup - damned if you do and damned if you don't!

This - as well as challenging them when you hear them talking behind her back. You need to stand up for her or report it up the chain to HR if you don't feel you can.

"Tracey (I mean her name's very unlikely to be Tracey, but it's the first thing that came to mind!) is a really lovely person that I like a lot. To hear you lot talk about her like this, behind her back, is just showing off your inner green eyed monsters. Just because she was born fortunate, doesn't justify your bullying. Maybe you should all take a good look in the mirror before criticising others."

That phrase is guaranteed to get people's backs up. Vague non-responses or a quick change of subject is a better idea.

"Where are you moving to?"
"A flat near [vague area]"
"Show me pictures!"
"I haven't got any on my phone, sorry. Anyway, got to rush off, loads of packing to do! See you all on Monday, have a good weekend"

Also, if this young woman didn’t work, what would people somewhere be saying about her?