The yta comments - 1) why should she deny the existence of her brother, whether he's dead or alive, she is a triplet and he is her brother 2) saying up front that a sibling has died can be traumatic if it's close to a memorial day or if you're just having an off day in general and can be viewed as trauma dumping and inviting questions or worse, pity - how about people just mind their business.

I think that the people you work with are not your friends. Ever. They are always looking for their own agenda. Do not open up to people at work because you will be taken advantage of. Your dead family members are nobody else's business.

Clearly those who fault the author have never experienced the loss of a child or sibling. "Not available" is an absolutely correct answer! Her sibling existed and IS currently NOT available. It is no one's business that he passed. To dredge into someone's trauma is reprehensible, abusive, cruel and criminal behavior.

Start applying for new jobs. You do not want to work with these lunatics. Document in case things go to HR. But everything you said was normal, the coworkers are next level nuts.

I see why Kate's single

Her coworkers are completely ignoring the fact that Kate chose to stalk OP and her family online (found the cousin's account) because she OH SO DESPARATELY wanted to date her brother. That has to be some form of harassment on top of spreading rumours.

He private family details are just that, private. I would be lodging a complaint for slander to the boss in that situation. What that woman did is outrageous! She also needsto be put on report that she will spread lies in the workplace as a precaution against any other lies she decides to spread. Document always!

BP tries to show balanced responses, but I notice when there's a clear NTA situation the "balancing" comments all have lots of downvotes.

I think OP is going to have to leave this job - it's an incredibly hostile work culture, and I know from experience that simply reporting the bad apples will only generate resentment from the others. I would go to the manager with my resignation, and give as a reason the toxic and hostile work culture that's been cultivated. She'll have to work somewhere else, but maybe the next new hire won't have to deal with this. There may even be legal remedies for OP.

how is it op's fault that someone spread rumors about a dead person?

You barely know your coworker and she's trying to hook herself up with your siblings. None of these people have a right to your life story and the stalker antics of this coworker is completely out of bounds. The fact that the rest of the tribe followed her down that path, based on her literal stalker behavior, is disturbing. They've created a hostile work environment due to her behavior. Yes, she could word that response to the sibling question better. It's an awkward question with an even more awkward response. But again, she owes them nothing. They're coworkers, not bffs.

WHY WHY WHY does someone think just because they ask a Question they are Entitled to Anything? Get a grip people - her brother is her brother. The Question itself is Pushy and does not require a PC response.

Kate sounds creepy and desperate

This woman works in the paperwork side of a medical office and chose to make up really wild and raunchy gossip about her coworkers' triplet??? This is so aggressively unprofessional I would be shocked to see her retain her job.

When you’ve lost someone in your family it can be hard to talk about them without tearing up. I have this problem and I avoid talking about them because the last thing I want is to burst into tears and be a complete mess. I fully understand why OP didn’t come right out and say her brother was deceased.

This one sounds fake