How to Avoid Workplace Gossip & Negativity
06/09/2022
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According to a study conducted by Indiana University professors Tim Hallet and Donna Eder, workplace negativity and gossip are not always veiled, but may present themselves as subtle put-downs during a meeting. If your workplace is one where the workers gather around the water cooler to exchange juicy gossip tidbits, it can create tension for everyone. Learning to avoid workplace gossip and the resulting negativity is vital to focusing on your work and being more productive.
1.
Commit to a goal of no negative gossip. It is human nature to want to know the secrets flowing around the office. Gossip magazines abound in the grocery checkout lanes, because people want to know the insider details about other people's lives. Overcoming the urge to participate in gossip is a big hurdle. Start by reminding yourself that you will not be a party of spreading gossip.
2.
Practice changing the subject. When your coworker in the next cubicle pops his head over your divider wall and whispers that he heard the boss got arrested on a DUI charge over the weekend, don't participate. Instead, say something like this: "How was your weekend? Mine was wonderful."
3.
Learn to walk away from situations where others are gossiping. If it's 15 minutes before the weekly meeting and a group of workers is gathered around the coffee and donuts trading juicy tidbits, walk to your chair and have a seat. Separate yourself from the negativity flowing through the room and refuse to be a party to the gossip. Be forewarned, though, you might become the target of the gossip next time. Family Service Madison suggests that if you become the target of gossip, share the problem with management and keep a log of all incidents.
4.
Don't spread the news you overhear. Even if you practice the previous steps and try your best not to participate in office rumors, there will be times when you learn something about another worker at your company. Someone might send you an email or you may overhear two workers talking in the break room. Avoid the negativity and do not repeat anything you hear. It simply isn't worth it. Imagine that you repeat the gossip about your boss getting arrested for a DUI and that it wasn't true. The boss may find out you spread the rumor and your career could be jeopardized.
