Asking Eric: Ex-husband becomes oversharing new coworker, tell me about this news in (https://www.denverpost.com/2026/09/09/ex-husband-oversharing-coworker-asking-eric/)

In this installment of the syndicated advice column “Asking Eric” (by R. Eric Thomas), a reader writes in seeking guidance about an uncomfortable workplace dynamic with her ex-husband.The Situation: The writer shares that she married at 23 and divorced at 30, and is now in her 40s. While she rarely kept in touch with her ex-husband, both work in the same industry. Recently, her ex-husband joined her company as a consultant, working mostly remotely with about one week per month spent in the office.Initially, the situation seemed manageable, but he began oversharing details of their past relationship with colleagues. Most coworkers had no idea they even knew each other, let alone that they had been married. Matters worsened when he referred to her in a professional setting as “the old ball and chain.” Uncomfortable with the blurred boundaries and workplace speculation, she reached out for advice on handling the issue.Eric’s Advice:

• Validate the Boundary: Eric validates her concerns, pointing out that her ex is crossing boundaries and needlessly complicating professional relationships by turning their former marriage into office conversation fodder.
• Have a Direct Conversation: He advises her to speak to him directly, using clear “I” statements to set firm boundaries. For example, telling him that bringing up personal details makes maintaining a professional environment difficult, asking him to refrain from discussing their past marriage with coworkers, and insisting he refer to her only by her actual name.
• Firm Reassurance: Eric stresses that establishing these professional limits is not petty. If talking about his past marriage is the most interesting topic he can offer, Eric quips that he should pick up a hobby or simply do his job and go home.