How to Stomp Out Office Gossip

Office gossip is harmful to all people involved.

Many people actively or passively participate in office gossip. Some actually repeat the rumors, but some just listen and allow the behavior to continue. Either way, gossip can be detrimental to office morale. While it It takes a lot of courage to stand up and stop office gossip, you have to stand up to gossips to make them stop their behavior, regardless of whether the gossip is about you, about someone else or about the company.

Instructions

Gossip About You

1. Keep personal information about yourself as private as possible. Don't talk about things you wouldn't want everyone to know. Sometimes it is hard to know who the office gossips are, so don't share information about yourself that you don't want repeated.

2. Talk to the person or persons who is gossiping about you. Confront her about her behavior and tell her you would appreciate her speaking with you directly if she has any concerns about your personal life.

3. Tell the people you suspect are gossiping about you what you have heard in the rumor mill. Ask someone to assist you in stopping the rumors by asking other gossips in the office to stop talking about you.

Gossip About Others

1. Walk away from the gossip or change the subject immediately. Do not participate in gossip even by listening to it because it encourages others to continue gossiping. It is hurtful to the person being gossiped about and can be destructive to the office at large.

2. Express the notion that talking about others makes you feel uncomfortable. Tell people that talking about others makes you uncomfortable and then politely walk away from gossip conversations.

3. Tell the person who is gossiping about you that he would be hurt if he was the one others were gossiping about.

References

• Business Training Works; Dealing with Office Gossip