Dealing with Workplace Gossip

Workplace gossip, even if it’s not spiteful, kills solidarity and self-esteem. It may sound like an un-disruptive, obvious spin-off of the corporate world, but you are terribly mistaken. If workplace gossip is left unbridled, it can open a whole new can of worms on a company’s productivity.

Here are some pointers for dealing with workplace gossip

Communicate and take charge of rumors – As a stake-holders and SBU Heads, you want to successfully run the core business of the company and make profit. Certainly, you do not want to waste your time in clarifying things that has risen because of gossip mongers. Therefore, make sure you communicate through a corporate blog or newsletter if required, as much company information as possible and as soon as possible. When employees feel left in the dark, they start assuming and making up their own stories, which can be far from the truth. Keep your employees updated and hold regular meetings.

Do whatever possible to dissuade cliques from taking over – When people feel like they are outsiders or not accepted by the exclusive groups, some may start aligning themselves in unproductive ways. Also, with the growing diversity occurring in the workplace, there can be a natural tendency for cliques to form. New employees do not find anything better than engaging in effortless gossiping about other employees in the company, their work-style and company policies and processes. To defuse such situation in the workplace, business managers can host casual brainstorming sessions with various teams or departments within the organization. They can start meetings with relevant and non-threatening “small talk” to begin fostering and environment or trust and camaraderie.

Use influence and peer pressure to perpetuate self-enforcement – Regulating human behavior at workplace is always a challenge even for the most skilled HR Professionals. Mature adult employees generally resent anyone dictating, particularly in a cavalier manner, how they should approach social relationships. However, business leaders and stake-holders have the power and influence to shape their workplace culture. Employee communications can include written and verbal expectations and reminders or acceptable conduct in the workplace. In an ideal environment, adult employees should be expected to use a self-enforcement approach with regard to inappropriate workplace behavior, including gossip.

Next time when you find workplace gossip irresistible and feel the urge to take part in it, ask yourself this

1)    Why am I engaging in workplace gossip or supporting others who do so?

2)    Would I reveal this workplace gossip directly with the person that it’s about?

3)    Would I engage in workplace gossip if it were about my family member or a close friend?

4)    Am I expressing my authenticity, sincerity and integrity when I partake in workplace gossip?

5)    What does gossiping in the office get me?

The choice is entirely yours. You could be a part of workplace gossip or you could use that time to be productive. Today if you happen to be targeting someone, another day and another time workplace gossip will target you.

~ Sanjeev H