by Charles Simmins

Created on: January 14, 2009   Last Updated: November 12, 2010

Gossip in its most basic form is just another version of the daily paper or the six o'clock news. It means that two or more people are exchanging information that they believe will be valuable to others. Communication in the workplace is something to encourage, not discourage.

Most workplaces have strong formal communications methods. It is the informal methods of communication that are often lacking. Gossip is as informal as you can get. So, just why do people gossip in the workplace?

Gossip has a bad reputation. It has come to mean the process of spreading rumors, falsehoods or damaging information about other people. In any community setting, and the office is a community, that can be a costly and damaging situation.

People gossip in the workplace for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with being negative. Indeed, a smart boss can use gossip as a force for good, just another way to communicate with employees.

"Good news travels fast" is the expression and it is certainly true in the workplace. Nothing boosts employee morale than news about a big sale or bonus checks coming out. Finding that out through gossip before the "official" announcement is great.

Gossip is also a way that people can interact in a way that does not deal directly with work. Talking about what you did together over the weekend or what happened on the company bowling team builds bonds that help employees work together better.

Gossip is also a way that groups build consensus. By discussing a situation, co-workers validate their feelings, obtain a different perspective, and reach agreements. It is part of the manner in which groups self-police their members, regulating behaviors and mannerisms by social pressure.

Some people gossip in the workplace to enhance their status. It may work if they come to be seen by their co-workers as reliable, trustworthy and a consistent source of information. If a person tries to build their reputation through the negative use of gossip, that will also become reflected in how their co-workers treat them or trust them.

Sometimes gossip in the workplace is a sign that employees have too little work or that their daily tasks do not motivate them. That becomes a management problem. Managers should not assume that this is the primary reason for gossip but careful observation can determine the truth.

It is possible for a group of people in a workplace to choose to use gossip as a weapon, to damage the reputation of a co-worker. These situations are little different than mugging the person because the effects can last for a long time and even cost the target their job.

The proverbial water cooler talk, gossip, normally does not take a toxic turn. Gossip in the workplace allows information to travel in an informal manner and that can benefit the company and its workers. They may not read the memo, hear the announcement or open the e-mail, but they listen to all the gossip.

Learn more about this author, Charles Simmins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.