How do I handle a co-worker who I don’t trust but knows confidential stuff about me?

FunkyC: How do I handle a co-worker who I don’t trust but knows confidential stuff about me?
A co-worker and I started to become friends and confiding in each other. However, now they have information about me that they could use maliciously. I stopped trusting this person, but I don’t know how to end the relationship without them backstabbing me and telling everyone my private affairs. Help!

Answers and Views:

Answer by Bad Answer Queen
Never, never, never, NEVER tell a co-worker personal information. They are not your firends. I cant tell you how to fix this, but can just leave you with that piece of advice.

Answer by ontheprowl234
Your probably stuck unless you get something out of her that you can use to keep her quiet. Or you could just slowly stop being friends with her, this way she doesn’t take it so hard and want to hurt you. If you guys just drift apart she will probably just get over it and forget about whatever she knows.

I suggest finding out something about her just to be safe thou.

Answer by Sarah
if they make your affairs public (that is if this becomes an issue) this is a good thing for HR to handle.

Answer by firewomen
Unless that co-worker is very ethical you are in deep trouble. Never Never ever give personal information to co-worker unless you are willing for the whole world to know. You were very naive to do this and you probably will have to pay a price for learned lesson.

Answer by food 4 thought
That is an unfortunate situation, and there’s nothing you can do to prevent someone you don’t trust from using information against you. However, if they do use your private information against you this would be very unprofessional of them and would say just as much about their character as it would about you. In the meantime, don’t worry pre-emptively about it and deal with it as it comes. Keep the peace with her and be civil, but also keep things to yourself in the future!