Marilyn, a long-time pubbing buddy of mine disclosed a fortnight ago that she was the subject of a rumour circulating around her office - colleagues seem to think that she has been sleeping around with the higher-ups to gain advancement in her career.
I know many women who do and an equal number who are dogged in a morally-correct push up the corporate echelons but I know her to be absolutely serious in her career. That said, I know that its really a challenge not to be embroiled in a rumour that can emerge from just about anywhere, especially when you are attractive woman or the sociable sort. Yes, women then to be more susceptible to them.
So the ultimate question - did she or didn't she.
She swears that she didn't, well at least not intentionally.
Apparently, her CEO's secretary had a personal tragedy to deal with and with Marilyn's boss in another department away in the US for training, she was seen as the perfect short-term solution to fill up for the CEO's secretary.
She is the personal secretary of a manager from another department and all she really had to do, was to take down the CEO's thoughts on paper, help compose some letters and bring coffee twice a day.
Because she was in another department, she would make her coffee from her pantry and bring it to the CEO's office - which meant walking all the way from her desk, along numerous cubicles and into the CEO's office.
Of course only the HR and a few other colleagues knew about this arrangement but otherwise, to all the rest, it appeared that she was somehow currying favour with the CEO by bringing him in coffee and spending some time chatting (but really she was there taking notes).
It started about two months ago and although I know her as one tough cookie, it was beginning to really dig into her.
I advised it was best to not consume herself in trying to find out where it originated from because it would start to add unnecessary friction with everyone at the office. What's worse than being a subject of a rumour is being suspicious of all your colleagues.
So how then do you deal with office rumours?
Honestly, there is no way to shake it off. This is really an entity that has to wear itself out and drop off after it loses its novelty. The best you can do is play with it. As long as you and the party know what you are doing is not out of order, go about it nonchalantly. For those giving you suspicious looks, give them a wink to add spice to it all.
You'll be surprised that by ignoring it and perhaps adding the occasional fodder to keep the rumour alive, it can provide the chemotherapy effect to such a rumour tumour.
People love to listen in on rumours but they are also quick to lose their interest in them once the subject seems unbothered by it all.
For the last week, Marilyn has been winking and throwing suggestive smiles after emerging from her CEO's office and believe or not, many of her colleagues are beginning to talk to her normally once again.
Coincidence or solution, she is happier and promises to treat me at my favourite whiskey bar next weekend.
Well, it really comes with the territory - rumours that is. If you are attractive and rise rather quickly up the career ladder, there are always people lurking in the wings waiting to search for justification - as if they have nothing better to do. And yes, chances are their lives are just about as exciting as a snail crossing a lawn.
Invariably, there are rumours that are true too, like the time many years ago when I was rumoured to be sleeping with a senior staff member. What else could I do? He was staying a block away from me and with the salary I was drawing them, saving on transport was helpful. Besides, I like to think of myself as a pioneer advocate of the green revolution. After all car-pooling makes more efficient use of gas, doesn't it?
Missus Singapore out!
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