I know AIBU but should I point out duty of care to younger staff

[Beautifulbeard]

I am a senior leader in a business that is going through a complex period with a lot of in fighting and office politics between other members of the senior leadership team. Recently a couple of the SLT have started hanging out socially with one of the youngest members of the team who works as a PA for another senior leader, going for drinks after work etc. Nothing wrong with that in principle but I can't help feeling they are using the junior member of staff for access to gossip etc. These senior leaders are in their forties and the junior member of staff is early twenties. I know I can't dictate who people socialise with after work but I feel a duty of care towards this young person who is similar in age to my own kids. AIBU to say something?

Say something to who? The younger person or the older ones? What makes you so sure the younger person is gossiping?

She’s an adult in her 20s, not a baby. Why would you even assume someone was using her for gossip? Who had the time to go out with someone they don’t like in the evenings after work just for access to gossip! Jesus.

You appear to think that the 20 something year old is a child. It comes across as a bit patronising.

Isn’t it a fact that at work you’re friends with people of all ages? I’m 40 and definitely have a wide variety of different aged people I could call work friends

Yes you would be unreasonable.

They're a grown adult in their 20s, not a 2 year old.

Plus if they end up feeling insulted by the fact you'd be implying they're being used, they'll probably vent to the others about it anyway.

And then you'll come across as a shirt stirrer.