For a few weeks now, it seems like some of my posts on social media are being hinted at in the workplace. Especially after one of my posts, the topic was brought up directly; it can’t be just a coincidence, right? Do you think they might really be following me, or am I just being paranoid? What should I do?
7 Answers
7I definitely think he’s stalking you. Because when he says “Did this post touch you?” it clearly shows he’s following you closely. If you share something else, he’ll insinuate that too. I think you should just ask him directly, what do you think about this?
My old boss used to monitor me like this too. He even messaged me directly asking, ‘Why did you do that?’ Honestly, I think it’s due to insecurity; it interferes with personal space. If you can’t set your boundaries, it’ll keep going on like this.
Maybe you’re sharing your posts in a way that’s unnecessarily unprofessional. If it’s being talked about even at work, being a bit careful might be your responsibility too. It doesn’t just work by saying ‘I can share whatever I want’ 
In such situations, professional boundaries at the workplace are very important. If something made you feel uncomfortable in any way and you can’t openly talk about it, you might consider consulting HR. It’s especially important to mention this if you have concrete evidence that someone is following you.
I want to add, friends: I’ve experienced this situation a few times. For example, I shared something about a concert last week, and the next day, someone at the office subtly commented on my taste in music. It wasn’t exactly a backhanded remark, but it felt strange.
There’s that thing about ‘implying between the lines’, one of the most annoying things in the world. It bothers you and also makes you think ‘am I just being paranoid?’ I wouldn’t have the courage to confront it directly, it’s a tough decision.
I’m still not sure if it’s complete paranoia or not. On one hand, having someone stalk you is a serious thing, but on the other hand, it’s ultimately a matter of sharing “public information.” Why is there no copyright for just professional matters, for example? If you’re not paying attention to how your own posts are perceived at work, that could also be a factor.