How to Put a Stop to Office Gossip

Churning the rumor mill in an office setting is inappropriate, unprofessional, hurtful, harmful and a huge waste of time. Despite all the negative terms we use to describe it, office gossip exists everywhere. Here are some suggestions for stopping the spread of unnecessary chatter.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Stop at-work chit chat by halting a conversation that is headed in a gossipy direction. Try lines such as, "Let's hold off talking about Sheila until she's here," or "This not something I feel comfortable talking about with Peter in the next room." Your co-workers will be caught off-guard, but chances are they will change the subject.

2. Announce the possibility that email correspondence may be recorded. Large companies perform random checks of at-work email, and this tactic can be very effective at eliminating office gossip. True, coworkers can still talk in the break room, but that's a much riskier move than spreading gossip via people's inboxes.

3. Remind yourself and others that participating in gossip ruins credibility. Although coworkers may come to you for gossip, they certainly won't come to you with a serious secret or when they are in need of trusted business advice. Unfortunately, gossip goes on your invisible resume and may slow the speed at which you achieve career goals.

4. Attack gossip indirectly by working toward a tighter knit community. Humans are naturally petty and self-centered, but gossip is much more likely to occur when coworkers are not getting along. If you have the luxury of working in a small or medium-sized office, create an environment that brings out the best in everyone. You'll see the gossip greatly reduced. In larger, more corporate offices, this is a difficult feat. Bring in professionals for community-building events or demand that everyone attend an office retreat.

5. Shut your own mouth. A surefire way to put a stop to office gossip is to take yourself out of the game entirely. When your mouth is shut, you can't dish it out and you can't take it. Coworkers will respect your ability to rise above the small talk and hopefully follow suit.

Tips & Warnings

• Some managers take the risky, yet effective approach of confronting a gossiping employee. After discussing the problems with at-work chatter and offering disciplinary action, the manager uses the office gossip as feedback and constructive criticism for himself and the rest of the staff. This is very difficult to do in a tactful way that doesn't hurt anyone's feelings, but if it can be done well, it is a great tactic.
• If gossip gets to the point where it is creating a destructive office environment, consider threatening employees with a suspension or dismissal on the grounds of breach of confidentiality. It is hard to prove that gossip is destructive and idle threats aren't always the best idea, but in extreme situations, this may prove effective.
• Unless you happen to work in a mature, loving environment with a staff of self-aware and generous people, you will probably always be susceptible to office gossip. It is something that is difficult to dispel entirely.

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[TOJO74]

on 11/17/2008 Easier said than done, especially if the gossiping employee is your supervisor!