I’m sleeping with the boss apparently

[Moana3]

I work for an owner-managed business. I am the only other director of the business. The owner is 15 years older than me.

A junior staff member (a couple of years younger than me) was staying at a hotel with the owner and I.

She has gone and told other members of staff that the owner was sleeping with me.

I am not sure how to tackle this.

1. Do nothing. Baseless gossip comes with the job. Man up.
2. Speak to HR and raise a formal grievance.
3. Speak to HR and ask them to have a word with her.
4. Confront her directly.

Has anyone been in this situation? What is the best course of action?

Why do you think she would have said that?

What do you want the outcome to be?

Personally, I'd go direct and try to solve it, if that doesn't work then a greivance unfortunately.

I have been asking myself this. She’s been turned down for a more senior role. Jealousy?

As in speak with her directly?

If you raise it with HR make sure you have evidence. Make sure you read your grievance policy so you can explain why you are making the grievance - bullying, harassment, bringing the company into disrepute, etc. Do you have texts/emails/messages of her telling people or do you have witnesses who will be able to support your story? You need to have solid evidence of wrongdoing in order to make a valid grievance.

Then go all the way with HR. That's ridiculous.

I’d go straight to hr as I’d want to send a strong message to everyone that you had nothing to hide as the claim wasn’t true.

You might just be this person's karma. Telling such a vicious lie could cause you harm and she knows that. Absolutely make that complaint. I hate liars with a passion!

Agreed - please raise a formal grievance. This is unacceptable!