Dear Prudence,
I am a 28-year-old happily married mother of two. I recently discovered that one of my co-workers, “Mac,” spread a wholly untrue rumor about me to many people in my department. A little while ago, I got a Facebook message from a co-worker saying she had overheard that my husband and I were swingers and asking for more information about the lifestyle. I responded that I was not a swinger and that she was misinformed. After questioning another co-worker, I learned that about a year ago Mac told many people in my department that my husband and I were swingers. Additionally, he told several people that he had stopped going to a weekly social event because I had made him feel uncomfortable after propositioning him. None of this is true! I thought Mac and I were friends, although he’s always been an attention seeker, a smooth talker, and a storyteller. Mac has since quit this job and moved out of state. I work with wonderful people who treat me professionally and respectfully. (It took a year to learn that this rumor even existed.) Now, I walk the halls wondering who thinks I’m a sexual predator. I am not sure how to go about clearing my name, and I would also like to let Mac know how his lies in the workplace are hurtful. I am considering giving him a cathartic phone call, or should I just let it go?