So I work with a woman with whom I had become close and I considered her one of my closest friends; I thought this was mutual. I asked her to be a bridesmaid in our wedding and she was thrilled about it, she came with me for dress shopping and we discussed colors and ideas - no problems.
We work in a political environment and there is a tendency to backbite - to talk about other people behind their backs - it really makes me uncomfortable so I ignore it as best I can and don't participate. I was out sick for three days, I had a note from my doctor, and she went to our boss (there are only 4 of us on our floor) and told him that she saw me at the gym one night while I was out sick. I almost got fired over this. My philosophy has always been that if you have an issue with someone you should discuss it with them directly. I recognized that something was upsetting her that night at the gym and I asked her if she was ok. I asked her if something was wrong. She said she was fine, just tired and that nothing was wrong.
The next day I was called into the boss' office and asked why I was at the gym, that this woman had seen me and she was upset and if I wanted to keep my job I would apologize for upsetting her and make things right.
I wanted to ask her why she would discuss events that happen outside of work with our boss, but I asked her why, if she was upset, she wouldn't just come to me. I never got a straight answer, she said she saw me and she was worried about me and she was more loyal than I think. I don't want to rock the boat at work so I dropped it, but I am so upset and disappointed that she would do this. I don't believe that this is the way a friend would behave and I think I have to ask her to step down from being a bridesmaid. Any thoughts?