Heard it on the grapevine?

Office gossip can be an integral part of the workplace. It can be a reason that some people look forward to coming to work, and the reason others wish they could stay home.

"Psst…Have you heard about the plan to introduce free cup-a-soup to the senior management?"

At its most benign gossip is simply idle chitchat that makes the day pass quicker. There can be a fine line between banter and bitchiness, gossip and rumour mongering. When gossip gets out of control it can cause conflicts between employees, and impact on performance.

Whether you contribute to the word of mouth or not it is hard to ignore the power of gossip.

The filing cabinets have ears…

Open plan offices are breeding grounds for gossip. If you confide in someone, even if they are a loyal and trusted friend, the chances are that your secret will be around the building before home time.

Gossip is a symptom of boredom and a need to enliven a dull working environment. If you work in a lively, busy stimulating workplace there will probably be less gossiping.

Types of Gossip

Most gossip is very mundane:

"Psst…Joan from accounts has a new caravan".

This is harmless, the oral equivalent of thumb twiddling; It passes the time and allays the dreaded 'office silence' or worse still, the much feared 'murmured hum of productivity'.

Another common form of gossip is that which is at the expense of another employer:

"It's a toupee, it just HAS to be!"

Exchanged in hushed tones, this so-called 'bitchy gossip' is usually a result of envy. If someone has a more senior position, recently received promotion, or has a particularly good life outside of the office, then they are a potential target for dissenters.

Bitchy gossip is the lowest form of office chat. If the person who is the topic of the gossip gets to hear what is being said (and they usually do) then they will feel bad, and perhaps more significantly they will trace back the gossip to the source.

Gossip can have its origin in a grain of truth that has been distorted out of proportion, or it can be total fabrication:

"Psst…Andy from Sales used to star in exotic movies"

Making up things and spreading them about is a dangerous game, especially if the untruths are about your company. Just imagine the consequences of concocting something like "we are opening offices in Taiwan and expanding into the Asian market" and then a news hungry publication quotes it for fact.

Can you confide in anyone?

The sad truth is probably not. The work place is a competitive environment with people constantly trying to score points and win favour. If someone has a juicy morsel of knowledge that could win them popularity or damage someone who they do not like then they will distribute that knowledge.

Unless you are sure that the person you are confiding in is a true friend it may be best to keep quiet.

If you do need to share a worry or confide in a colleague drop in on your HR manager. Their job is to listen to and assist with your problems and anything you say will not pass outside the walls of their office.

Should you contribute to the gossip?

It is very easy to be swept along with a top piece of gossip and to be a part of the grapevine. However, it is recommended that if you hear some gossip, before you pass it on, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the gossip reliable?
• What will be the consequences of its distribution
• Will it offend anyone - is it bitchy gossip?
• Did the person who told you have an ulterior motive in spreading the gossip?
• Do you want to be seen as a gossipy person?

Most office gossip is harmless fun used to lighten the atmosphere in the office environment. Some gossip is darker and its distribution can have an impact on yourself, the subject of the gossip and working relations. If someone tells you something that constitutes gossip, think twice before telling anyone else. Imagine what is would be like if you were the topic of that gossip.

Perhaps most important of all is the final bullet-point above. If you are seen to be either someone who is fueling the gossip fire or even the one to start of malicious gossip then the chances are that you will be viewed by senior management as someone who doesn't thrive off vital values such as honesty and integrity. As these are the sort of values that you will be respected for, not the quality of your gossip.