AIBU... To ask how to proceed? (trivial)

[ItsOnlyTuesday]

Hi Everyone

This is slightly pathetic I almost feel embarrassed writing it! Slight issue at work and I am not sure how to proceed.

In my office there are 3 of us, myself, my manager and my colleague who we'll call J.

J was off all of last week, and my manager was also away on business. So just me in the office - I am fairly new to the role (less than 3 months) so I was stressing slightly about having to deal with everything by myself.

On our factory floor there is a lady 'M' who is generally known as the workplace gossip. M asked me last week how I was getting on, and I said I was having a bit of trouble as customers had called through orders on the telephone from the week before - and their order hadn't been written out. It is quite an old fashioned business, we only communicate with our customers via the phone and not email. When speaking to M I did not mention any names about anyone, as I was aware it could have been any of the other 2 people in my office who didn't pass on the info.

J has returned to the office today, and has told me that M has told him to 'be wary of me' and that I have been being nasty about him all week. Although M was off sick (funny that when the manager is away) for 3 days out of the week, and my manager was back on Friday - so I was on my own with her for ONE day.

I have apologised to J and explained that although what I said wasn't directed at him, I asked could he take more care in writing down information - which he has admitted he doesn't do. I am not sure he is too happy with me though...

My question is, how would you go about this?

I am only 20 and in a fairly good role for my age, so I dont want to go crying to my manager looking like a child! However, if he was to find out I would prefer he heard it from me.

With regards to M, I think I will no longer engage in polite conversation with her like usual (i.e. asking about her weekend/grandchildren) and just keep all conversations strictly to work. Or should I say something to her? She has worked in the company for at least 15 years so although everyone knows shes a massive gossip what shes like, she is part of the furniture.

If you have got this far and are having a day boring enough to invest in something so pathetic.. please help me

Well your mistake was talking the office gossip about anything.

I worked with someone who would twist anything that she heard being said. I didnt speak to her apart from very superficial stuff like saying good morning.

Personally i would expect the manager to have a chat with you about how the week was of you were in your own and mention it then.

I wouldnt go out of my way to tell rhem what happened.

And dont comment on anything to this woman again.

Oh bless you. What an awkward position to be in. I think I would tempted to try and head it off with the manager with a conversation - maybe along the lines of you found it a bit tricky because there was some things you weren't aware of but hopefully that won't happen again. "Oh and by the way, I made the mistake of mentioning this to M and she seems to think it's a major issue but it's really not. I've learned a lot from this".

Keep cheerful and competent and let the boss know about the unwritten down orders immediately as that is important!

Keep professional, don't worry about the office gossip, still ask her about her weekend and grandchildren but DO NOT OFFER ANY INFO about the company or your feelings.

Lesson learnt , right?