Her very long marriage has ended. She's been signed off work with stress for a long period. Her job involves giving emotional support to people in difficult circumstances and she hasn't had the reserves herself to be able to do it.
Anyway, she wants to go back, is starting to feel ready to work with clients again but it's seeing colleagues that's worrying her.
She works in a close knit team. Her husband also used to work there. He left several years ago but is still in touch with most colleagues. It transpires he has begun a new relationship (timing unclear) with a woman who was once also a colleague of theirs and still friends with everyone.
My friend is feeling very anxious about who knows what and what version of events they will have heard. I.e. what's been said to paint her in a bad light.
Employer has been supportive and a phased return allows for short days and "just" going I to see people initially. I've said it will be that first hurdle that's so hard and she'll feel better once it's done, that I'm sure people will be supportive, but I also know that human nature is such that they will likely have been having a good gossip too.
Any coping strategies to suggest?