All businesses have to face their share of challenges during operation. Companies take steps to protect themselves from attacks that come from outside. Very few realize that many businesses have been brought down to their knees by internal strife. One of the many causes of workplace conflict is gossip.
There are many disadvantages to having a workplace with a gossip culture. It does not only create open fights and disagreements between the gossip-monger and the subject of the gossip but also affects those not directly involved with the gossip. Anyone who listens to gossip becomes a willing participant to the problem. It also forces people to take sides which is usually not necessary.
Gossip at work usually emanates from the perception of one that another is not doing his/her job well. When this observation is brought to the attention of the person concerned, it is considered a positive way of resolving legitimate grievances against a co-worker. More serious matters would typically require the presence of a mediator from the human resource department or the immediate supervisors.
It becomes gossip when the information is passed on to other people with no intention of doing anything constructive about it. The manner of passing the information on is lined with malice and tends to put the other in a bad light as he/she is not given the chance to defend himself/herself. Management can do a lot to stop this practice by setting the example and the tone that should prevail in the office.
When management sends the message that it is willing to listen to issues affecting the workforce, this eliminates the tendency for employees to speculate among themselves which usually leads to misinformation. Misinformation wastes time and effort. Wasted time and effort result to underproductivity which no business could ever want.
Originally posted on February 2, 2012 @ 10:22 am