The Price of Gossip at the Office
By Mylène Grégoire, President and PCC coach of Mymosa &CO Consulting inc.
Did you hear…?
Did you know…?
Gossip is ever-present in the workplace. A team of researchers from the University of Amsterdam examined the nature of office gossip and found that 90% of informal office conversations could be classified as gossip. Another study conducted at the Georgia Institute of Technology concluded that gossip accounts for 15% of office emails.
The Potential Usefulness of Gossip
Can gossip have a useful purpose? Professor Jack Levin of Northeastern University, author of Gossip: The Inside Scoop, argues that gossip can sometimes benefit emotional well-being, as long as it doesn't damage reputations. According to him, gossip helps to connect social and professional networks, creating bonds between individuals.
Gossip can also serve as a barometer to gauge employee morale. For example, a CEO of a large company once said, "I'm relieved to see that employee gossip is focused on the quality of the cafeteria food. This shows that their concerns are rather minor!"
It can also provide a glimpse into an employer’s intentions. Subtly releasing information from upper management can be a strategic way to take the pulse of employees before launching a new initiative.
When Gossip Turns into Conflict
The usefulness of gossip, however, can fade in certain contexts. Imagine this: a colleague publicly criticizes you, making you appear incompetent, or mocks your biggest flaw in front of others. You burn with anger… The temptation to retaliate, vent frustration, or sow division by discrediting the other person can be strong. Yet, this kind of manipulation often leads to a "snowball effect," turning minor conflicts into full-blown internal wars and creating a toxic work environment.
The Desire to Boost Credibility
Although it’s human to want to react, staying within the gossip cycle is usually harmful. Psychologist Peggy Drexler notes that those who engage in gossip often seek to boost their own credibility by undermining others. This behavior can be seen as a strategy to draw attention to others' flaws while diverting attention from their own weaknesses.
The Perception of Negative Gossip
This approach is often counterproductive, as colleagues quickly perceive gossip as unprofessional. Moreover, it can negatively impact the reputation of the person spreading rumors, revealing a lack of confidence and courage when faced with adversity, and ultimately damaging workplace relationships. Contrary to the belief that colleagues automatically welcome confidences, sharing too much, regardless of hierarchy or proximity, can quickly become burdensome and irritate others secretly.
When You Are the Target of Gossip
Negative gossip in the workplace can have multiple harmful effects on employees. When they are aware of it, people targeted by gossip often experience a decline in self-confidence and motivation, which affects their performance and engagement. The stress generated by these rumors can also lead to anxiety, making victims less likely to be proactive in their tasks. Moreover, gossip breeds mistrust within the team, destroys collaboration, and reduces productivity.
The consequences can also include a drop in morale and avoidance behaviors, where employees prefer to withdraw from group dynamics. In more serious cases, it can lead to harassment complaints or even legal action if gossip becomes malicious.
The Employer’s Perspective
Most employers recognize the impact that negative gossip can have on morale, productivity, and careers, but they often have limited means to address it effectively, aside from encouraging open communication. Anti-gossip policies quickly encounter challenges related to free speech and employee rights, not to mention the difficulty of determining what was said and with what intent.
Joining the Club!
As a leader, would you consider giving a seat at the decision-making table to someone who spreads rumors? Would you trust them with the next promotion opportunity? Would you invest in this type of profile, or would you prefer to support authentic, inspiring, and exemplary leaders who reflect your values and those of your organization?
A person in a leadership position might be tempted to encourage this kind of behavior if one of their employees shares useful, intriguing, or confidential information. Cutting off this source of information would be akin to losing a direct connection with employees on the ground.
How to Eliminate Negative Gossip?
The key to ending gossip is to create a culture of transparency and trust. Encouraging open exchanges not only reduces rumors but also fosters productive discussions. When someone realizes they have a tendency to spread negative gossip, they can transform their behavior by adopting a more positive and constructive approach. This change in mindset is not only beneficial for the individual but for the entire team.
Focusing on Authentic Leadership
It is far more rewarding to develop leadership based on wisdom and empathy rather than succumbing to harmful behaviors like gossip. An effective leader is one who strengthens their authority by creating a workplace environment where mutual respect and open communication reign. This fosters trust and integrity, two essential pillars of a high-performing team.
Taking the First Steps Toward Cultural Change
To create an environment free from toxic gossip, it is recommended to implement practices that encourage transparency and honesty. This could include regular training on communication and ethics, establishing safe spaces for employees to express concerns, and continuous support from leadership to build a positive organizational culture.
Mylène Grégoire, president and coach at Mymosa &CO, author, speaker and founder of the online training programs Brillez au boulot and From Gut to Success.
mymosa.co
REFERENCES
Psychology today : Why We Love To Gossip - The pros and cons of talking about other people, for men and women by Peggy Drexler
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/our-gender-ourselves/201408/why-we-love-to-gossip
Syntrio : The Negative Impact of Gossip in the Workplace
https://syntrio.com/blog/the-negative-impact-of-gossip-in-the-workplace/
BMC Psychology : Workplace gossip erodes proactive work behavior: anxiety and neuroticism as underlying mechanisms
https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-024-01966-5