Workplace Gossip: What It Is and How to Handle It

What is Workplace Gossip?

Workplace gossip is that behind-the-scenes chatter about colleagues, coworkers, or supervisors. It’s informal communication, often involving personal or private information. When you share your own personal details with a colleague or supervisor, it’s just sharing. But when you start repeating what someone else has told you, that’s gossip.

Gossip often gets a bad rap, but it can be about both positive and negative things. Typically, gossip has nothing to do with current work tasks and can include:

Rumors

False information

Failure to correct false information

Ridicule, belittling, and humiliation

Leaks of personal and confidential information

Unethical communication

Unwanted workplace gossip can leave people feeling unsupported and lower their sense of trust and comfort at work. While a bit of gossip is inevitable, it’s crucial to tackle pervasive and harmful gossip. It can lead to lower job satisfaction, productivity, employee morale, and retention.

Assessing Workplace Gossip

When evaluating gossip, consider its intent, truthfulness, and impact on the subject or your company. Some workplace gossip is harmless and can help coworkers build relationships, understand office politics, and share positive feedback. However, other types of gossip can be harmful, such as:

Malicious Gossip: Intentionally spreading false rumors to damage a coworker’s reputation, get them fired, or hinder their job prospects.

Privacy Concerns: Sharing private information about a coworker, client, customer, or company, like medical details, financial information, or trade secrets.

Workplace Issues: Discussing sensitive topics indirectly like unclear career paths and difficulties with coworkers.

Handling Workplace Gossip

Lead by Example: Don’t participate in workplace gossip. Act with integrity, keep private information confidential, and speak positively about others.

Be Inclusive: Make everyone feel welcome and valued. Celebrate differences and recognize the unique perspectives each person brings. Inclusivity can prevent the formation of exclusive cliques and reduce gossip.

Act Early: Address gossip quickly to minimize its impact. Management should step in as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the work environment.

Encourage Positive Communication: Promote positive gossip by highlighting impressive qualities and achievements of your colleagues. Positive gossip can enhance workplace morale and relationships.

Show Empathy and Care: If you know someone is the subject of gossip, offer them empathy, kindness, and support. Being friendly and thoughtful towards all colleagues can encourage a positive workplace culture.

Confront the Gossip Calmly: Ask the speakers to stop discussing personal details. Approach the situation calmly and focus on the behavior rather than the person. For example, say, “I’m concerned about the gossiping, and I want it to stop,” rather than attacking the person directly. This professional approach can help maintain your credibility.

If you hear gossip, consider saying:

“I feel uncomfortable talking about X while they’re not here. Let’s wait until they can join us.”

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to discuss X like this. They aren’t here to give their side of the story.”

“I dislike hearing about someone this way. It makes me wonder if you talk about me like this when I’m not around.”

Handling workplace gossip with integrity, inclusivity, and empathy fosters a more positive and productive environment. Stay vigilant, set a good example, and promote a culture of respect and support.

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Workplace Gossip: What It Is and How to Handle It

What is Workplace Gossip?

Assessing Workplace Gossip

Handling Workplace Gossip

If you hear gossip, consider saying:

For more information:

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