NC for this. I work in a small team, all WFH and have only met in person 6 times since we all started 3 yrs ago.1 woman will call one of us at work with a guise of a work query, but the conversation quickly turns to her, her family and life.
We have a whatsapp group outside of work which was started as a means to notify others if a client changed their appointment time. The odd holiday photo or non work chat is on there, but its minimal. This woman has taken it to the next level. Multiple holiday photos- not just of her but including randoms she has met, info and photos of her husbands fungal infection, texting everyone at 5am to say her sister missed a train! I could go on and on!
Sometimes, her personal stories don't add up and when questioned, she often goes silent, is non contactable all day, then returns in tears with a ridiculous excuse as to why it's happened. Its never her fault. She was stressed due to XYZ or other family matters. These outbursts are unpredictable, but often a day before she has leave. Sudden illness also coincides before/after leave days also.
This woman is married, has an active life with the WI, bell ringing, adult children and grandchildren she sees often and in her 60's. (We've seen ALL the photos and she has put them on live work chats before, so I know they are real!) I enjoy my job, but dread the days she works and the non work rubbish she posts on whatsapp. I'm friendly, but I am not her friend- she is a colleague.
I'm not even sure why I've posted this but I need tips or advice on managing such behaviour. Our manager is very hands off and due to illness has reduced to 2 days a week.