6 of 43

Tattletale

Write now Article Tools

Let's face it - gossip damages your reputation and your feelings, depending on the subject being gossiped about. A tattler can cost you your job. Gossip is generally nothing more then idle chit chat amongst co-workers and more often then not the only thing that happens is someone's feelings get hurt. Most of the time this chatter doesn't even reach the boss. In the case of a tattler you are dealing with someone who takes whatever disparaging information he or she thinks he has and goes directly to the boss with the intent of inflicting harm, possibly termination, on the employee in question.

Look at the 80s film 9 to 5, starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. Dolly Parton's character was the subject of constant gossip by what seems to be every employee on her floor. All it did was alienate her from her co-workers and cause her a lot of heartache. However, when Roz, the employee who took it upon herself to spy on every other employee and report directly back to the boss, it ended in the termination of someone.

In general, people that are either gossips or tattlers do not think very highly of themselves. Gossipers use the often misinterpreted private information of another to win friends by gaining the upper hand. Tattlers use their information to buddy up with the boss. It's probably safe to say that neither of these people have a lot of true friends because if you dissect their personalities - who would really want to be friends with them? Clearly neither person can be trusted. In the end when you have to choose between feelings and your very livelihood it's probably safer to go with the office gossip. Just make sure you are rewriting your resume at home so your gossiping 'friend' doesn't catch you in the act!

Learn more about this author, Danielle Friedl.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about The more annoying co-worker: The tattletale or the gossip ?
We want to hear your view. Write now!