Did you hear about Maggie?

Is gossip like an addiction that some find near impossible to quit?

I wrote a post about Gossip back in 2018, I speak about it regularly, and almost every planning conversation I have with a new client highlights gossip as a current team issue. One workplace recently suggested that the issue needs a poster all of it’s own; so here it is ready to download from this page Improve Your Workplace Culture Today — Respect at Work — Respect at Work. *Let me know if you would like a couple of the fridge magnet versions in the post.

Scrolling through FaceBook last week I saw an article that stated ‘mid-afternoon gossip sessions are good for you’.. What?!? At whose expense is this so claimed wonderful, morale building nastiness? I’ve also heard people say that their workplace gossip is just 'harmless fun’, but I never expected to hear it touted as good for your mental health!

I think we can categorise water cooler/crib room/lunch time conversations into 2 types. Type 1 is information sharing and sounds like ‘have you heard they’re painting the Burnie office’, or ‘I heard we landed that new proposal’. Type 2 is the ‘did you hear what David said to Ana?’ version, this version is usually personal, often targeted and often malicious (intentionally or otherwise). Type 2 is also often delivered in hushed tones or only after seeing who else is within earshot - does that not already highlight that perhaps it doesn’t belong?

Have we forgotten the teenage cliques, body shaming, in and out groups and/or whispered comments behind the backs of others from high school? I really don’t understand how an adult workplace encourages some to regress right back to childish behaviours. There is no empathy, no respect, no compassion, and no psychological safety in a workplace where people use gossip to ridicule, expose, embarrass or even shame others.

We have a choice. We can choose not to gossip.

It’s easy - next time someone comes to you with gossip, just say ‘I don’t engage in gossip’ - it really is that simple.

Or, next time you have something that you want to share about another person, stop and think about your intent, check yourself, why do you want to share this information? is there a chance that what you are about to say could cause harm? would you want someone to share this if it was about you?

A culture of gossip is not a culture of trust and safety, and EVERYONE in a workplace is entitled to a safe environment.  

We're all responsible for our workplace culture; I expect respect from my colleagues and they should expect it from me.

Respect at Work facilitates discussions about respectful workplace communication, please get in touch if we can be of assistance for your workplace.