Colleague lying about leaving job

[Habesha91]

Hello everyone, I have got a colleague who has been telling me that she's not happy with her job and that she has been applying for jobs. She told she actually went for few job interviews and didn't get one. The last one she went she got offered the job but she didn't take as it was for one year. Few days ago I've found out that she is now on a different role for 6 months in our work place basically some sort of secondment role. I was shocked to see this as she was always telling me that the work she does was too much, the manager doesn't understand or support her etc why lie? Now I don't know what to do with her cos she lied about this a lot. She tells me every gossip in the office and other people stories but didn't tell me she's actually doing a higher role for 6 months. How do I navigate this? I feel upset coz I actually believed she was going to apply and accept other jobs as she was facing issues.

Maybe she was applying for roles and didn’t find the right one - so a secondment might be a good temporary move for her for a change of scene. She might have just reluctantly accepted it but has kept the bit about the internal role to herself… but is still applying elsewhere.

Sorry I don’t see what there is to navigate unless I am missing the point (which is quite possible!)

There's nothing to navigate, it's not your business 🤷‍♂️

And being offered a secondment doesn't mean she wasn't looking for other jobs.

Not sure what your problem is to be honest

Honestly I agree a none issue . She wasn’t happy in current role considered other jobs now has been offered a secondment so took it . How does that mean she lied ?

I used to think I hated my job too, but it turns out...I loved it. Honestly I was telling myself this for 6 months. Then during the notice period I went into chill mode and became sad.

I couldn't bear looking at the leaving card and will actually offer it back when/if next time comes.

Briefly went to another company for 1 day but decided the grass well actually wasn't greener. Just cannot get that scene out of my mind from Love Actually when the singer decides to stay with his fat old manager rather then go to Elton John's. (yes I have watched the film far to many christmases!)

One of the first interactions with someone on my team at old (now returned) employers went, oh we thought you moved internally and genuinely they thought they were talking to me in a new internal role.

Ironically the new company were paying me an extra £500 got back to my old employers and been extremely lucky to get a national payrise of a lot more money for the time remaining on the fixed term contract. Had no idea what was coming so things can turn all the time. (People can change their mind) the job market today is so very hard.

Were you after her job

I was offered a secondment a few years ago, when I had itchy feet and my manager was aware I was looking around. Did wonders for my career. I don't know why you think she's lied

This is such a non-issue. She may well still be looking for other jobs. She may be trying out the secondment to see if she actually likes it/it’s any different. I have 100% been pursuing internal promotions etc before whilst exploring opportunities externally, it’s also a pretty smart move to figure out what you’re ‘worth’ to other companies and use it to negotiate in your current workplace. It doesn’t sound like she’s lied at all. If you can’t be happy for her, keep your nose out of it.