(False) Rumour I slept with colleague (shaking with anxiety)

[perez1]

AIBU to ask what to do. Last night after a work event, I went out for drinks with (all male) colleagues. These guys can drink me under the table so I'm always very conscious not to overdo it. At one point in the evening, a colleague who was pretty much drunk started to ask if we had the heard the rumour. But the way he looked away from me and cut himself off made me very suspicious. So I pressed him and it turns out there is a rumour going around that I slept with a colleague. I almost threw up. This is my first grad job and I am distraught. I have been suffering from anxiety (adjusting to new job/city) and this has just about sent me over the edge. I was just starting to get more comfortable.

I know where the rumour originates from and I could kick myself for not being more careful (innocent explanation involving phone chargers). I really don't know what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm really conflicted about taking this matter up with HR. But luckily I do have evidence which shows my colleague rang me just after 7 AM (asking to borrow my charger). I know I should just get on with my life but I feel like I can prove I did nothing wrong.

I really wouldn't do anything about it.

Nothing has happened to you due to this rumour.
You were completely unaware of this story about you up until Friday. There have been no consequences.
Your career has not been affected.
You have not been bullied or humiliated or treated differently at work.

You are embarrassed and it feels unfair, but really - nothing has happened.

But luckily I do have evidence which shows my colleague rang me just after 7 AM (asking to borrow my charger).

Firstly a phone call isnt proof. He could have called you to say you left something in his room.

Secondly what do you want them to do? Put an email out saying they know you didnt sleep with him and everyone needs to stop talking about it?

That's going to make this worse.

Sorry but you really just have to ignore it.
Don't waste any time on trying to justify yourself as nothing with come of it.

You must ignore it - by trying to explain yourself you will only be seen to incriminate yourself.

Seriously - think of it this way: if Vardy had ignored Colleen and stayed on holiday and not been seen sobbing and heading back she wouldn't look so guilty.

OP that sounds horrible and would bring me a lot of anxiety too

Just keep your head high, you know you haven't done it and that's all there is. There's so many stupid rumours that float round the workplace your colleagues will be talking about something else next week.