AIBU to keep private life...private?

[fandabby]

I work in a stifling office environment and wondered whether people learned the lesson ages ago that I have only learned this week with regard to how much information you tell people about your life!

We're got a new colleague working with us; on the surface a very nice person and very charming - so charming you would tell her your life story. Trouble is, she is a sieve and tells everyone, even if you make it clear the information is confidential. As soon as somone walks out of the room, she starts slagging them off in quite a vicious way but is so friendly to them when they are back.

Trouble is, she's palled up with an older lady who is a real gossip and they continue slagging off work colleagues in their own time and egging each other on to find out information about work colleagues!

AIBU to not like this sort of working environment? It's a real emotional drain and I feel exhuasted by the end of the day as it feels like they are trying to catch you out.

Forgot to add, it's a large, mixed sex and busy open plan office so it's amazing they have time for this stuff!

Just play your cards close to your chest and don't engage in the gossip. It's unprofessional and childish. They must have very boring lives themselves.

But if she behaves as you say, presumably she has already alienated everyone other than her fellow-gossip, and only a total idiot would be engaging with her at all? Aren't the rest of you united in collective contempt?

I know what you're saying - totally. I work in an all female environment, and feel like it's a goldfish bowl. All stories/dramas have to be repeated ad infinitum and hashed and re-hashed.

No way would I disclose any personal details - makes it difficult working there sometimes

I'd tell her some complete old bollocks and see how quickly it gets round, something really ridiculous that everyone will know is a joke. I'd also not share anything with her about myself or anyone else and buy her and her pal wooden spoons for the secret Santa.

Perfectly reasonable to want to keep your private life exactly that. Assuming you are not a secret drug addict or a criminal, which would be a legitimate interest for your employer (but not for the office gossips).

Depending on your line of work, I'd be concerned about someone who could not maintain confidentiality.

So,no you don’t invent a story or rumour as was daftly suggested.too convoluted
Keep it cordial,light and don’t disclose anything you’d not want revealed
I agree it’s a bit irksome to be in proximity of the emotionally incontinent