9 Ways To Deal With Gossip in the Workplace

1. Lead by example. One great way to contribute to a positive work environment and avoid gossip in the workplace is to leave by example. …
2. Be inclusive. …
3. Let someone know. …
4. Encourage positive gossip. …
5. Show empathy and care. …
6. Observe and assess.

How Do I Shut Down Gossip At Work?

Why is it important to deal with work gossip?

Often, office rumors begin without any specific malice intended. A coworker might, for instance, simply repeat a joke without understanding the context. However, if the rumor persists, it could have a detrimental effect on both the employee it concerns and the business.

Workplace gossip can also have a negative effect on someone’s reputation or mood and decrease the company’s productivity. When coworkers judge one another based on rumors, it can be difficult for them to cooperate. By putting a stop to rumors as soon as possible, you can make sure that your company runs smoothly and effectively.

Here are a few examples of gossip:

9 ways to deal with work gossip

Here are nine strategies to stop office rumors about you or others from spreading.

1. Ignore it

Simply ignoring workplace gossip is sometimes the best course of action to take, as responding to it may encourage it to spread further. People might eventually get tired of the subject and stop talking about it on their own if you ignore the gossip. Before doing anything else, try to ignore any rumors you hear for a little while. You might need to take more decisive action if the rumor keeps spreading or coming up.

2. Study it

Verify that what you are hearing is actually gossip before you do anything. Workplace conversations are different from gossip, and not all conversations require you to take any action.

The main distinction between a conversation and gossip is whether the subject is being attacked on their persona. If the individuals are being honest about events at work, then this is probably not gossip. However, if they are discussing information they overheard or an employee’s character, it is likely gossip.

If you determine that it is rumor about you, pause to consider what you can learn from it. You might find that there is some truth to it and that your actions are what caused it. You can still confront those who are spreading rumors in a direct manner or think about changing the behavior that caused the rumors.

3. Review company policy

Many companies have a policy regarding gossip. If office rumors are upsetting you and you want them to stop, you should first see if your company has a policy on how to handle them. For instance, the manual may stipulate that you file an official report or that the HR manager intervene.

4. Watch your own conversations

Joining in gossip only encourages more gossip in the workplace. If you hear rumors, either disregard them or steer the conversation in a different direction. An alternative is to denounce the rumor and state, “We shouldn’t be talking about someone like that.” ”.

5. Keep your private life at home

Keeping your private life private is a good way to stop people from talking about you in the media. You spend a lot of time with your coworkers, so it can be tempting to talk to them about things other than work. But the more you divulge about your private life, the more likely it is that rumors will circulate. You should keep your personal affairs at home even if you believe you are confiding in a close work friend.

At the same time, keep conversations with your coworkers professional. Ask them about their job or other appropriate topics for the workplace, such as their vacation or upcoming holidays. Maintaining professional conversations will inspire others to do the same.

6. Document everything

Lack of trust and communication problems are frequent characteristics of unhealthy workplaces. It may be best to start recording incidents when there is office gossip, especially if it is directly affecting you.

7. Address it directly

Sometimes, though, rumors just won’t go away, and you’ll have to deal with them head-on. To accomplish this, locate the source of the rumors and make an appointment to speak with them. It’s best to keep your attention on the problem and not the person when responding to the rumor. Keep the focus on the problem of gossiping itself, for instance, rather than blaming the person who is spreading it.

Another choice, if the rumor is pervasive, is to send out a mass email that addresses the rumor and offers evidence to refute it. You could, for instance, send out a message denying rumors that you are leaving your company for a rival. Then, you could elaborate on why you value your current role and why you plan to stay there.

8. Keep a positive attitude

No matter how you choose to handle the rumors, try to keep a positive attitude to avoid spreading any more toxicity. You could, for instance, respond to someone asking you about the rumor by saying, “You heard that about me? That’s so funny!” By maintaining a positive outlook, you’re demonstrating to the person that they shouldn’t take the rumor seriously, which can reduce the likelihood of it continuing.

9. Talk to a supervisor

Lastly, inform someone in a position of authority of the situation and request that they take appropriate action. Supervisors and HR specialists will probably intervene right away because they have a professional interest in putting a stop to gossip.

FAQ

What to do when your coworkers gossip about you?

1. Get curious.
2. Discover why.
3. The key to this is dignity.
4. Don’t take the bait and don’t feed the trolls.
5. Ignore it.
6. Discuss it with your manager.
7. Confront it head-on.
8. Report it to HR.