Gossip or Networking?
Nearly everybody gossips at work. I guess it’s human nature, but people just like to talk about each other, and rarely does it do anything but add negativity to the workplace.
Well, at least one employer in Chicago decided to do something about it by banning gossip at his firm. Each of the employees at Empower Public Relations not only agreed not to gossip, but they also agreed that when an employee says something negative behind a co-worker’s back, he or she will be required to repeat that gossip to the person’s face. Can you imagine?
The policy gives the employees a chance to diffuse the rumors by setting the record straight. I imagine it also discourages people from gossiping in the first place when they know their words may come back to haunt them. Personally, I think it’s ironic that this is a public relations firm. It seems an unusual way to do PR.
I have to admit this policy is a little extreme but it’s a good idea to get rid of gossip at work any way you can. I’ve seen all sorts of surveys and reports, and gossip is nearly always one of the biggest complaints employees have about the workplace.
Gossip in the office is bad for productivity and bad for morale. Get rid of it and companies will make more money and people will be happier at work. All in all, it’s a perfect scenario…but I don’t think getting rid of gossip will ever happen. Of course, you can always call it networking instead; but, we all know that’s not exactly right either.
I wrote about this a few weeks ago in a company-wide email:
I have noticed that as we have grown so has the level of workplace gossip. Several people have brought this fact to my attention over the past few weeks. To be sure, workplace gossip causes a great deal of harm and impacts both the individuals involved, and the organization as a whole. Here are just a few examples of the cost of workplace gossip:
* lost productivity and wasted time
* morale and trust are eroded
* increased anxiety among employees as rumors circulate without any clear information as to what is fact and what isn’t
* divisivemes tends to grow among employees as people may ‘take sides’
* feelings and reputations are hurt, sometimes causing severe damage
* the gossipers may jeopardize chances for their OWN advancement because they are perceived as unprofessional
* good employees may leave the company due to the unhealthy work atmosphere
If you realize you are involved in a conversation that has devolved into rumor or gossip stop and ask yourself:
* is what I am about to say true?
* is it harmless?
* is it necessary?
* how would I feel if someone said something similar about me?
* how would I feel if I saw my words quoted in the daily paper tomorrow?
* how am I going to feel later if I say this?
* does gossiping honor my own values?
Remember, much is to be gained by turning down the opportunity to gossip while at work. And it’s not as hard as you might think. With a conscious effort and conviction, you can do your part to derail the harmful effects of destructive gossip and keep the work environment healthy and happy for all.
“The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” – Dorothy Nevill
That policy is intense, but I like it! It is a sure way to get people to keep the minds on business!!