Striking at the serpent's head: a look at gossip in the workplace

March 15, 3:09 AMSalt Lake City Workplace Issues ExaminerKim M. Clark

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Oquirrh Mountains

Gossip is one of the most potentially damaging elements to a professional and productive work environment. Yet it still remains a big part of the culture that can develops along with a company. It tears down morale, lowers work productivity, impacts interactions between employees and customers, and can spill over into the company’s reputation. Knowing it exists, that is to say acknowledging it and knowing what constitutes gossip can help to solving the problem.

Here in the Salt Lake Valley, nestled between the beautiful Wasatach and Oquirrh Mountains we have strong cultural influences that discourage gossip in the community, homes and work environments but the problem remains unchecked for many companies and their employees. Due in part, to commonly held misconceptions about what gossip is.  Some of myths at the top of my gossip hit list are:

Myth #1: It’s OK to talk about another person as long as it’s the truth because as we all know gossip is telling a lie about someone else.
False: Gossip is discussing anything about someone else; fact or fiction that they want kept private or puts them in a bad light (I hated backbiting in high school, didn’t you?).

Myth #2: Discussing employee mistakes or bad performance with their contemporary only helps to teach others what NOT to do.
False: It’s demeaning and puts the employee in a situation to be publicly humiliated and it is demoralizing for everyone. Such discussions should not give out the employee’s name but instead be reviewed in general at a quarterly employee meeting on policies (you do have them don’t you?).

Myth #3: The boss can say whatever he or she wants to because that is just passing along information and instruction.
False: I’m sure you’you've heard the expression, “Monkey see, monkey do”. Gossip is gossip even when the boss does it. Hey boss? People can, will and do follow your led so if you gossip, you can’t in practical terms, reprimand employees for breaking a company policy (I mean, you DO have them, right?) that you don’t uphold yourself.

Myth #4: It’s OK to gossip about a customer when they aren’t around; they’ll never know, right?
False: Oh yes they will. Even over the phone, attitudes and prejudice comes blaring though. Imagine being face to face with a customer everyone is badmouthing. Gossip influences what we think and feel about others and that comes through our tone, facial expressions and non-verbal cues.

So what is the best way to deal with gossip? Assuming you have a company handbook or handout that addresses this issue (yes, I’m a nag), new hires should receive this training in the employee orientation meeting (don’t be tempted to skip these) and it’s always a good idea to hold quarterly meetings to review policies and keep employees up-to-date.

Right, so let’s review. Gossip is gossip no matter who does it and if you don’t have an employee handout or handbook stating your company policy about gossip, it’s time to polish your writing skills and get it written and implemented. I know…I know, I’m such a nag.

Coming up next time: Let’s play: follow the leader...no wait; I mean the boss.