Colleague boundaries
So about a year ago a new woman joined our team. She has zero boundaries and doesn't know the difference between being friends and being colleagues.
We all work remotely so we communicate via WhatsApp and she just chats on WhatsApp ALL DAY. We have a group chat that she share memes on (often containing swear words which I'm all for, but not on a work platform).
Privately, she chats to me as if I'm her BFF... ALL DAY LONG. She tells me when it's her period, what she's having for lunch, what new outfit she bought, talks about her sex life. She's even over friendly with our boss and clients. She's also incredible attention seeking and dramatic, often saying things like "I am going to die!" or "I'm so angry with our client I want to murder him!" or complaining about clients who simply asked for more information... to our BOSS! Saying they're "so annoying" or "driving me nuts". She is just incredibly DRAINING.
I sometimes feel like she lies about being sick to get attention. Last week she said she had flu and I ignore her. A few hours later it was bronchitis. I ignored her. Then she was at the doctor's and had a respiratory infection (the doctor's appointment, two injections, and a diagnosis all happened within 20 minutes after telling us she's going to the doctor).
Anyhoo, the other day she crossed a line by making some comment to me about my sex life. I told her that I keep my private life private. Since then I started setting subtle boundaries by only responding to her when she talks about work and now she has stopped talking to me completely (which is great! BUT I feel like she is sulking.
Me being a naturally kind person now feels bad, but I know she was taking advantage of me listening and always responding. But, I can't continue to be her emotional caretaker.
Anyone experience something similar in a remote work environment? I'm just going to keep it professional and ignoring anything personal as it seems to be all or nothing with her - there is no happy middle.