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Relationships

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Gifts sent to our home from DHs female work colleague

446 replies

lolaflores · 25/03/2026 15:18

On Saturday a parcel came to the house addressed to DH. It said "Easter surprise inside!"
I assumed it was an early gift from family and thought no more.
He came down and looked surprised and thought it was family as well.
He opened it up and went scarlet! You could have fried rashers on his face. Then he started giggling and showed me. It was a box with 3 packs of M&Ms. On the front of it was a photo of DH and a woman who works with him. Printed on the side was "Happy Easter *, you're the best".
She did this at Xmas with expensive hamper but there was no message or at least nothing that stood out.

I gave it a few minutes and expressed my discomfort at this. The way the message was phrased and the photo of them on the box. She'd also made sure it was 3 packs of his favourite M&Ms.

He works away every other week. So does she. I've over heard her in the background while he was on the phone to me after work a couple of times telling DH everyone is off to the restaurant "r u coming? Ill save you a space. Shall I get a drink for you?"
She is a project assistant so he is her boss.

To me this feels inappropriate. I don't like that she has sent this to our home. The photo felt really off. The phrasing "you're the best!" All of which I expressed. What business has she using our home address when she knows exactly where he will be week to week?

In my working life I've never done this or even thought of doing this? Is it out of order? He played it down but it's been playing on my mind. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 3 years ago. Our life has changed a lot and I often wonder if he wouldn't be happier with someone who isn't disabled.

OP posts:
Easytoplant · 26/03/2026 06:09

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AnonAnonmystery · 26/03/2026 06:25

Catlady007007 · 26/03/2026 00:51

My instinct is that they are already involved or have been in the past.

She's letting you know.

The working on another project is rubbish. He may be trying to cool things down or he may be saying that to pacify you.

But the only reason a woman would do this is because they have history.

I sadly agree with this. She’s letting you know..

Easytoplant · 26/03/2026 06:59

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AnonAnonmystery · 26/03/2026 07:03

If I was you @lolaflores I would pretend I buy your husbands bull shit and do a deep dive making sure what he’s told me is true.
You only have his word that this woman is a desperate fool. His first reaction when he received the gift would be what my gut would focus on.

Easytoplant · 26/03/2026 07:07

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lolaflores · 26/03/2026 07:45

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We've been together 27 years and married 20.
I've never had reason to doubt in that time. Working away has always been a major feature of his job.

Since being diagnosed with fibromyalgia I've been very limited in travelling and generally doing very much. I feel even more insecure about myself and how much of a dynamic partner I am compared to anyone else.

OP posts:
AnonAnonmystery · 26/03/2026 08:05

I really feel for you. I didn’t know about your condition so I looked it up, I hope you find the answers to prove he’s 100% loyal, I am hoping for this so you can feel better about yourself x

lolaflores · 26/03/2026 09:04

AnonAnonmystery · 26/03/2026 08:05

I really feel for you. I didn’t know about your condition so I looked it up, I hope you find the answers to prove he’s 100% loyal, I am hoping for this so you can feel better about yourself x

Bless your heart darling.
I'm here with a lump in my throat at your kindness.
Thx x

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Lavenderlovers · 26/03/2026 10:11

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lolaflores · 26/03/2026 11:45

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I'm good. In RI, I'm afraid there is no one to hand ut I have old friends from home who I've spoken to. It's interesting how 2 people gave 2 opposite responses.
Friend 1. Nope. Wrong. Create havoc. Do not let this slide without an agreed upon response.

Friend 2. You mean you didnt eat the M&Ms?
I think she was being nice!

There seems to be a similar sort of response here. And it also reflects the way my own mind has been bouncing back and forth about it. However, it's the photo of them together and the message that wouldnt stop annoying the shit out of me

OP posts:
AnonAnonmystery · 26/03/2026 11:53

@lolaflores the card is very personal and international in its disruption and distress caused to you. I only personalise cards to my partner and my kids. Those who I hold dear. This woman at the least is a meddlesome trouble maker and at worse is helping herself to your husband or intends to. I would have the same reaction as you! And well your husbands reaction …

AnonAnonmystery · 26/03/2026 11:59

Sorry I meant intentional and not international 😬

Iwillcomeouttheotherend · 26/03/2026 12:28

lolaflores · 25/03/2026 16:04

Thank you! There was an uneasy feeling in the back of my mind that I had to be very careful how I reacted. If I appeared rattled by it; I'd lose ground as the reaction woukd be dismissed as over rection.
If I let it pass (as I did at Xmas) then there's a open door to whatever future thoughtful gifts she'd like to send.

I want it escalated but he feels embarrassed and tht it isn't that serious.
So my next question is "what weight should my feelings have in this?" Any?

Leaving the door open for possible future gifts would be the least of my worries.
Leaving the door open for something else to start or continue is what you need to focus on.
Have you asked him if they ever message?
Best case here is that she was stupidly trying to suck up to the boss.
Worse case, there’s something going on and she wants more, he’s not giving it and she’s trying to cause trouble between you and DH which she hopes will free him up for him to run to her.
Please never ignore an uneasy feeling.

AnonAnonmystery · 26/03/2026 12:34

Just ask him to hand over his phone to you tonight - personal one and work one. If he has nothing to hide he won’t be upset and will also want to make you feel safe and secure. His reaction will tell you everything.

RoughGuide · 26/03/2026 12:35

AnonAnonmystery · 26/03/2026 12:34

Just ask him to hand over his phone to you tonight - personal one and work one. If he has nothing to hide he won’t be upset and will also want to make you feel safe and secure. His reaction will tell you everything.

If my husband asked me to 'hand over' my phone so he could check it, I would assume he'd had a blow to the head.

ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 26/03/2026 12:37

RoughGuide · 26/03/2026 12:35

If my husband asked me to 'hand over' my phone so he could check it, I would assume he'd had a blow to the head.

I'd assume he wanted to get one!!

AnonAnonmystery · 26/03/2026 12:37

@RoughGuide it’s not a random request though is it? By asking if they message out of work it’s a heads up to him to delete messages. Trust has been broken in this instance so it does seem to bear any relation to your relationship with your DH.

Spirallingdownwards · 26/03/2026 13:06

Lmnop22 · 25/03/2026 20:37

This seems bold considering his reaction was to basically call her a tragic brown noser - surely she would have to be more certain that he would pick her before making such a move 😳 but who knows honestly, definitely could be some power play!

How come within 2 hours he went from not being bothered to there being an HR complaint and a warning issued. There wasn't. He is lying to his wife.

lolaflores · 26/03/2026 13:12

AnonAnonmystery · 26/03/2026 12:34

Just ask him to hand over his phone to you tonight - personal one and work one. If he has nothing to hide he won’t be upset and will also want to make you feel safe and secure. His reaction will tell you everything.

They message for work umpteen times a day.they regularly work 14 hours.

He works one week on one week back in UK. When he is there it is very long days and he avoids dinner with the team and eats in his room. He decompress for a few hours. I can't guarantee it's all the time but I do believe him.

He assured me he will speak to his boss and to her today. I'll have conversation as to the outcome this evening.

This project finishes soon and she'll be on something else; a decision taken before this happened. She's been over stepping marks in other ways that have embarrassed other team member and thats not just about loud conversations with the client about her weekend escapades.

For myself I don't want to be labelled the silly, insecure wife. I hope I've been assertive based on solid reasons such as data protection and possible outcomes for him if this isn't dealt with. If I want his phone handed over I think I'll end up in that category

OP posts:
Whatsappweirdo · 26/03/2026 13:14

I hope it all ends up being nothing @lolaflores x

lolaflores · 26/03/2026 13:15

Spirallingdownwards · 26/03/2026 13:06

How come within 2 hours he went from not being bothered to there being an HR complaint and a warning issued. There wasn't. He is lying to his wife.

It went that direction because I pointed out to him the breaches of company policy. He was content to just put it down to her usual manner of overt pandering (is that the right word) and also if a senior male colleague did this to junior female, it would be a very different circumstances.

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lolaflores · 26/03/2026 13:17

Whatsappweirdo · 26/03/2026 13:14

I hope it all ends up being nothing @lolaflores x

I'm hoping the same. If I start convincing myself otherwise, I'm not sure I have the energy/stamina to hold my ground efficiently.

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Lavenderlovers · 26/03/2026 13:39

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Lavenderlovers · 26/03/2026 13:41

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AnonAnonmystery · 26/03/2026 13:50

Sorry for you situation. I do realise you don’t have the physical energy to pursue this any further. And you don’t want it to be true as it will leave you with a real dilema. I hope it’s nothing too x