Gossip in the workplace is alive and well. Most of us don't really want to be a part of it, but we allow ourselves to be drawn into it. I would like to offer a few tips on how to prevent it and possibly even stop it dead in its tracks.

Gossip in the workplace creates an atmosphere that most of us don't want to be in. Tensions rise, people look down on other people and work is affected by it. If you have this situation, it can be counteractive in the work process.

Here are my tips:

1. Putting a stop to a gossip starts with you. If someone comes to you with a juicy story about Jane or wants to tell you some odd little tidbit about the president of the company, close your ears to it. Letting them know from the start that you don't want anything to do with gossip can work wonders in getting the mouths to shut. Usually, it's enough for them to at least leave you alone even if they move on to the next person.

2. If you are a supervisor, you need to lead by example. Don't allow your own judgment to be clouded over or influenced by the gossip. Talk to the gossiper about the problem and let them know that it won't be tolerated in your department. Other employees will greatly appreciate it. Gossipers bring down other employees who truly only want to do their work and earn a living.

3. If you find you have fallen into the gossip trap and you want out, go on a fact finding mission. Don't take anything at face value. If you find out that the gossip is true, you will have learned something. Nine times out of ten, gossip isn't fact based. It is often completely untrue. Sometimes it's partially true. On rare occasion, it will be completely true. I only suggest you go on this fact finding mission if it affects you. Honestly, if Jane slept with her co-worker, that's her business, now isn't it. It has no affect on you and you should act accordingly.

4. If you are the person being gossiped about, set the record straight. Confront the person that started it. This will usually get them to back down and leave you alone. Don't confront them when you are angry. Wait until you have cooled down and then confront them without being threatening.

5. If you are simply trying to do your work but the gossiper comes to you, they must not have any work to do. Hand them some work and tell them you sure could use some help with your overload. They will stop coming to your area because they don't want more work to do.

6. Realize that when you work in an area with others,

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