You have to read the context. A different male employee had just been fired for inappropriate behavior with a female employee. Since he is much more higher-rank

You have to read the context. A different male employee had just been fired for inappropriate behavior with a female employee. Since he is much more higher-ranking than she is, she is concerned about what their coworkers will think about his interaction with her. It's not that she doesn't like the guy. She's trying to shield his reputation.