Gossipy coworker sends a 'private' message about me to me
Ever join a startup where the team is so small that the boss practically lives in the break room and the interns are as close as your toothbrush? That's the vibe this guy hit the ground with. He’s got a boss named Tom, a mid‑thirties “mentor‑guru” who treats his employees like a second family, and Jane, a twenty‑something intern who could probably finish a novel in a single day.
The Great Privacy Leak
Picture this: you’re sitting beside Tom, watching him demo a new feature. He’s got his chat window pinned to the screen, a habit that turns out to be a perfect storm for accidental confessions. The chat? Private. The screen? Public. The message? Me.
“Lmao she was so SOOO offended you called me OP.”
…and then it vanished in two seconds.
It’s the kind of moment that makes you wonder if your boss secretly runs a covert social network for the office. The only thing missing is the “I’m sorry, we’re going to have to delete your personal data” notification.
Jane’s quick “I’m not offended” is classic. She’s the sort of person who can’t seem to get away from you fast enough, even when you’re trying to keep a straight face. Meanwhile, Tom is still “annoying” enough that the writer can’t help but joke that Jane will barely look them in the eye in the new department.
The Aftermath
The writer’s move to a different department feels like a corporate version of “I’m sorry, we’re changing the subject.” Tom still annoys, but Jane’s gaze has turned into a polite nod. On their last day, they share a silent office—no greetings, no goodbyes, just the awkward silence of two people who know they’ve been prying into each other’s digital lives.
TL;DR
Boss pinned chat to screen → accidental “private” message → intern’s reaction → writer moves departments. If you think your coworker’s inbox is private, remember the boss has a built‑in “screen‑share” feature.
Comments
I was a consultant helping a doctor's office set up electronic health records. While I was on a video call, I noticed the person on screen had their chat open. They thought it was on the other screen. I calmly told them I could see the chat, and that I was just helping them, not making the rules. They were embarrassed, apologized, and later took me to lunch to say thanks for being patient.
Are all three of you named Jane? How could they message the wrong person if they already have chat history?
My guess is I was at the top of her chat history because she’d sent something to me recently. Otherwise, she just had my name on her mind and just…made a mistake.