by Ray Langley

Created on: November 12, 2008   Last Updated: November 21, 2011

"Have you heard" is how most of these exchanges start, maybe even innocently at first, but quickly the allure and the excitement can change the work place from a productive environment to a hostile environment. Gossip, it is as old as speech and powerful enough to bring down empires, just ask the Romans. How do we avoid work place gossip and the negative effects it has on the work environment, while fostering open communication?

The truth about gossip

Even if the stories going around are true, and even if the victim of the gossip is aware, the effects on the staff as a whole can adversely change the way that a company operates. Some people may believe everything they hear around the office, and many people have their own personal opinions about the way that people should conduct themselves, if a supervisor had had a marriage that ended badly, and then hears of an employee that is cheating on their spouse, it could have detrimental effects on both their careers, especially if the gossip was not true to begin with. A few easy steps can help avoid the gossip trap and continue to work effectively.

Gossip wastes time - When employees spend time talking negatively about each other, rather then talking to their clients or customers it diminishes the effectiveness of that employee, or worse they continue that gossip with the customer, diminishing the overall reputation of the company.

Gossip reduces the effectiveness of professional relationships - Victims of gossip can be less willing to associate with a person who has spread gossip about their personal or professional life, reducing the effectiveness of the cohesion of departments.

Gossip effects the self esteem of both parties involved - A gossiper can find their own reputation is tarnished by their spreading gossip, as their audience may attribute the negative aspects of the gossip to the one who spreads it, reducing their own professional effectiveness.

It may seem to be an impossible task to bring the gossip train to a halt, but with effective communication, and policies the obstacle of gossip in the work place can be over come.

How to avoid the trap

Do not participate, even if tempted by a particular interesting piece of gossip. Excuse yourself, change the subject, or just simple tell the gossiper that you are not interested.

Offer a friendly denial - "I'm just not that interested in their personal life," as an effective way to express your disinterest in participating in gossip, and offer a business relevant

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