BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Topic: Gossiping at Workplace
Define by google “Workplace gossip is a form of informal communication among colleagues
focused on the private, personal and sensitive affairs of others”.
Still others consider “gossip” to be any talk of persons or institutions affairs, whether personal
or professional innocuous or slanderous.
Most people view gossip as a necessary evil and immediately think of the local busybody who
spends most of his/her time spreading half-truths or whispering nasty little tidbits in someone’s
ear. While gossip does have its ugly and malicious side, it is much more than that. Gossip is a
normal necessary and healthy activity and is a vital thread in the fabric of our social world. If
you don’t believe this, pay attention to your communications for a day and notice how often
you talk about and share personal information about yourself and others with the people you
encounter. Notice the popular programs on TV; whether the programs are movie stars,
situational comedies or dramas, or ‘reality’ shows, the focus is on human relationships and
interactions. Electronic news programs and newspapers tell us about what is happening among
our fellow human beings in our community and in the world.
Gossiping at the Workplace is unprofessional.
Most employees know it’s best to avoid gossip and unprofessional behaviour in the workplace.
Bad behaviour can be disruptive, damage workplace and possibly lead to termination. Gossiping
can also lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders and a host of other issues.
Gossips and rumours can alienate friends, ruin reputations and even lead to ostracizing
behaviour and other forms of relational aggression. Excessive gossiping creates a backstabbing
environment that can become an unbearable place to work.
Below are some negative consequences of workplace gossip during the past years of the former
administrator.
1. Erosion of trust and morale
2. Lost productivity and wasted time
3. Increased anxiety among employees as rumours circulate without clear information as
to what is and isn’t fact.
Low Morale leads to higher turnover rates which can place the organisation at a competitive
disadvantage. Hindering teamwork: Gossip can be detrimental in work situations that require
collaboration.
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
The workplace is a social environment and people will talk about each other. Gossip can
strengthen the bonds between people who work together or it can destroy an individual or it
can destroy and individual or undermine a work team. Some organisations attempt to eliminate
gossip but it just goes underground. Other organisations maintain that employees’ social
conversations are none of their business and they let gossip go unchecked in the work
environment. Healthy, dynamic and strong organisations address the issue of gossip. These
organisations provide leadership by teaching effective workplace communication skills,
encouraging multi-faceted interactions between employees accountable for their workplace
interpersonal behaviour. Gossip can destroy the interpersonal trust that team members need
to work effectively together. A person who gossips about others in negative ways erodes the
good will between others and often creates defensiveness and hurt feelings, some people
gossip to build themselves up by putting others down.
Therefore, as the administrator it is my responsibility to carry out the administration of this
organisation. Employee gossip in the workplace is a very common issue despite not having any
real positive effect in the workplace. In the worst case, a small group of workplace gossipers can
seriously impede a company’s morale. Even in its comparatively harmless case, it’s a huge time
waster and can spread as fast as a bad cold. To stamp out gossip among employee is practically
impossible, but it can be curtailed.
In regard to the conflict, I as the administrator have come up with some possible strategies on
how to handle employee gossip.
They are;
1. Review company policy
Zero tolerance for gossip in the workplace should be stated clearly in the company’s
policy. While addressing guidelines on ethics-related matters in the employee
handbook, gossip should be emphasized. Workers need to be reminded of the
disruptive effect of gossip in the workplace and that disciplinary actions accompany
such. Set-up effective disciplinary actions for offenders, which may include sending
home without pay. Enforcing this kid of laws may be difficult, but their presence alone
can constrain employees from free-flow gossip.
2. Take immediate actions
When the case of gossip is reported, address it immediately. Find out the situation and
the matter being discussed, than send out emails or summon an emergency meeting to
clarify it. Eliminate any circulated false rumor, and in the case of gossip about an
employee’s personal affairs, make the meeting more oblique. Ensure that offenders are
adequately punished and also used the opportunity to remind employees of the policy
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
against gossip and instruct them to stay away from public speculations of personal
matters.
3. Set public example
In a workplace, every employee directly or indirectly looks up to the boss for clearance
of actions. They want to see the message you are sending through your actions and
inactions. That’s why you must always endeavour to be a role model for employees to
follow, particularly regarding gossip. Don’t engage in any kind of gossip, be assertive and
always switch the topic when gossiping is about to begin. Set for yourself a personal
principle of integrity and work mindedness. Ensure that through your actions, you
communicate to employees that gossip within the workplace won’t be tolerated.
4. Encourage positive gossip
Employees will always have something to talk about themselves. Instead of picking up
negative gossips, create for them a culture of positive gossip. Encourage employees to
always share positive work-related stories and source of inspirations among themselves.
Provide platforms that allow free communication between employees and bosses on
something they are proud of. With positive story-telling in the workplace, organisations
can reinforce their cultural values and key behaviours.
5. Private life should be kept private
Some level of trust should exist among co-workers. That alone does not imply sharing
your private lie with everyone. Unless there is absolute trust, employees should be
encouraged to keep their private life private. Personal information regarding
relationships, family, and others should not be disclosed to everyone. One fact about
workplace gossip is: if they are gossiping about others, then they will gossip about you
too. Ensure that in your dealings, you don’t offer anyone ammunition to gossip about
you.
