{"id":73,"date":"2024-09-10T20:26:35","date_gmt":"2024-09-10T20:26:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/toh\/?p=73"},"modified":"2024-09-23T15:19:56","modified_gmt":"2024-09-23T15:19:56","slug":"managing-gossip-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/toh\/2024\/09\/10\/managing-gossip-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing Gossip at Work"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo by Yan Krukau from Pexels.com<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Gossip within workplaces is very common \u2013 By some estimates, almost 90% of employees share, hear, or are the target of workplace gossip on a daily basis (e.g., Grosser et al., 2012). Data gathered through the Total Organizational Health (TOH@UTC) initiative confirm that in many workgroups on campus, gossip is a frequent occurrence in day-to-day communications at work. So, what\u2019s the big deal? Although not all gossip at work is negative or destructive, when it is it can destroy trust and respect within otherwise well-functioning workgroups. Negative workplace gossip damages relationships, tarnishes reputations, and inhibits collaboration \u2013 and anyone can become both a participant and a target. For these reasons, making an effort to limit or prevent negative gossip within a department or area of UTC\u2019s campus supports a healthier work environment that prioritizes safe spaces, honest communication, and beneficial interpersonal relationships. Doing so will allow for enhanced employee performance and well-being by promoting trust and improving morale. Read on to discover more about workplace gossip and why managing it is a key focus of the TOH@UTC initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Workplace Gossip and How Can it Be Managed?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gossip refers to casual and unrestrained sharing of information about a person or group of persons who is not present. Often this sharing includes information that has not be confirmed as factual (Bassuk & Lew, 2016). These types of exchanges can be positive or negative in form and consequence, meaning some kinds of gossip may be beneficial or good within a particular workgroup. For example, expressing your excitement over your coworker\u2019s recent engagement to be married or discussing whether a colleague is going to receive a well-deserved promotion are positive comments that are technically gossip, but are constructive in form and can help to foster positivity, respect, and connectedness within a workgroup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, comments that are negative or harmful in nature, and would not comfortably be repeated or shared directly with the person who is the subject of those comments are likely to be negative forms of gossip. For example, there is no constructive intent when whispering about a colleague\u2019s alleged romantic affair or speculating that a coworker was passed over for promotion because they are always complaining. These forms of negative gossip need to be avoided. More broadly, it is generally agreed that it is wrong to talk about or discuss someone else\u2019s private life without their consent. It is similarly wrong and damaging within a workgroup to spread unverified rumors that are not based on firsthand experience and supported by evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Reducing Workplace Gossip fits into TOH@UTC Initiative<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Reducing negative gossip among UTC employees is an essential element to building and sustaining a culture at UTC that emphasizes interpersonal trust and respect, as well as transparency, accountability, and consideration. Addressing and working to limit harm caused by negative gossip is one important way that supervisors can clearly show their support and respect for their employees. Additionally, addressing negative gossip helps to facilitate collaboration among staff members, which allows for increased creativity, engagement, and overall employee performance.  Reducing negative gossip can allow for positive gossip to thrive, which helps to create a workforce that prioritizes fellowship, cooperation, and the well-being of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can I do to manage gossip in my workgroup?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because workplace gossip often looks different in different areas of an organization, it cannot always be managed in the same way. There are, however, some practical actions for reducing gossip among employees that supervisors can take (and that employees can practice with each other). For more details and additional helpful resources related to this topic, please check out our special TOH@UTC guide for managing gossip<\/a><\/u> at work<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gossip within workplaces is very common \u2013 By some estimates, almost 90% of employees share, hear, or are the target of workplace gossip on a daily basis (e.g., Grosser et al., 2012). Data gathered through the Total Organizational Health (TOH@UTC) initiative confirm that in many workgroups on campus, gossip is a frequent occurrence in day-to-day… <\/p>\n

Continue Reading <\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1937,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[35,34,22,23,33],"class_list":{"0":"post-73","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-toh-resource","7":"tag-communication","8":"tag-respect","9":"tag-toh","10":"tag-tohutc","11":"tag-trust","12":"entry","13":"has-post-thumbnail"},"yoast_head":"\nManaging Gossip at Work - TOH@UTC Archive<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/toh\/2024\/09\/10\/managing-gossip-at-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Managing Gossip at Work - TOH@UTC Archive\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Gossip within workplaces is very common \u2013 By some estimates, almost 90% of employees share, hear, or are the target of workplace gossip on a daily basis (e.g., Grosser et al., 2012). 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