Why Gossip in the Workplace is so Toxic
Gossip in the workplace is a common occurrence that can have significant consequences for individuals and organizations.
Spreading rumors and negative information about others or the company they work for can erode trust, create tension and anxiety, and damage relationships.
Moreover, gossip can negatively impact career prospects and result in legal issues if the information is false or inaccurate.
For this reason, individuals and companies need to recognize the impact of gossip and take steps to prevent it from spreading in the workplace.
Fostering open communication, collaboration, and respect for others helps build strong, supportive, and successful teams that thrive in a positive, uplifting workplace culture.
Below are 8 Reasons Why Gossip in the Workplace is so Toxic.
1. Low Moral
One of the worst things about gossip in the workplace is that it can cause low morale.
Gossip, by nature, is often negative and comes from insecurity, anger, or resentment. As a result, gossiping tends to focus on another person or negative aspects of the company or colleagues.
The problem with gossip is that when people spread negative information to their coworkers, it can create a bond between the person gossiping and those listening to it, at the expense of the person or company talked about.
Therefore, gossiping can create a toxic environment where people constantly look over their shoulders and wonder who is talking about them or the company they work for.
Furthermore, gossiping creates tension and turmoil for everyone involved. It can lead to unnecessary drama and conflict between the parties involved, which is unproductive and can erode trust and damage relationships.
Additionally, when people gossip, they are not working, which can lead to a loss of productivity and affect the overall performance of the team or company.
Therefore, gossip in the workplace is a toxic and destructive force that can cause low morale by eroding trust, isolating individuals, and causing unnecessary drama.
2. High Turn Over
Employees gossiping about others or the company can lead to a high turnover rate.
Firstly, talking about someone can cause them to feel unappreciated and that their hard work is not recognized. This can lead employees to seek employment elsewhere, where they may feel valued for their contributions.
Secondly, when employees gossip about the company itself, it can create uncertainty and lead to high turnover.
Gossip may be about company changes going into effect or policies that an employee disagrees with, the stability of the company, or the direction that top executives are taking the company.
When rumors and uncertainty arise, employees may feel that their job is unstable and choose to leave.
Therefore, it is essential to discourage gossiping in the workplace and foster an environment where employees feel valued and heard.
Thus, reducing gossip can decrease turnover and improve overall job satisfaction.
3. Causes Anxiety
Gossip in the workplace can be toxic and damaging to employees’ mental health.
Employees gossiping can cause anxiety among coworkers and create a hostile work environment.
Gossiping can be a form of bullying, as spreading rumors about others while creating a pack-like mentality that leaves individuals feeling left out and at the mercy of those spreading the rumors.
For the person being gossiped about, it can cause feelings of anxiety and insecurity, as they may feel unwanted or fear losing their job as a result of the rumors spreading about them.
On the other hand, gossiping can cause anxiety if the rumors are related to the company’s stability. Suppose rumors circulate that the company is not doing well financially or an internal scandal raises concerns about the company’s stability.
In that case, employees may turn to those gossiping to find answers, especially if top management fails to address employees’ concerns.
Management failing to address reasonable concerns where rumors are spreading can validate employees’ worries, leading to a stressful work environment.
Therefore, creating a workplace culture that discourages gossiping and promotes open communication and transparency is essential.
Open communication and transparency can help reduce employee anxiety and create a more positive work environment.
4. Erodes Trust
Engaging in gossip can negatively affect everyone involved and lead to erosion of trust among all members who participate in it.
However, it is not just the victims of gossip who are affected by it. Gossiping can also erode trust among the people involved in the conversation and those who are not directly involved.
When someone gossips, it can make others feel they cannot trust that person to keep secrets, work knowledge, or private information confidential.
Moreover, gossiping can create a toxic work environment where rumors and gossip go unchecked.
If a company or organization does not actively discourage gossiping among its employees, it sends a message that rumors and gossip are acceptable forms of communication.
Allowing gossip in the workplace can lead to a lack of trust among employees and even clients and customers who might worry about the credibility and reliability of the organization.
5. Isolates
Gossiping can tend to isolate individuals, especially those targeted by the rumors.
When someone spreads gossip about another person, it can cause others in the workplace to avoid the person being gossiped about.
Gossiping can result in professional isolation, where employees who are the subject of rumors may find themselves excluded from important meetings or projects. Being excluded within the workplace can negatively impact their career growth and even result in termination in extreme cases.
Moreover, spreading gossip about another person can tarnish their reputation and cause them to lose the trust of colleagues and superiors.
Therefore, gossiping can create a hostile work environment where people are constantly on guard and do not trust one another. [Read also: How do I Stop a Co-worker from Gossiping]
6. Loss of Productivity
Productivity can suffer as a result of gossip in the workplace. Rather than concentrating on tasks, individuals may become preoccupied with gossiping about others or the company.
Moreover, the negative impact of gossip can demotivate hard-working employees who become the subject of rumors, leading to a loss of morale and motivation.
Therefore, it is crucial to discourage gossiping and promote a positive and productive work environment that fosters open communication, collaboration, and respect for others.
7. Leads to Depression
Gossip in the workplace can have far-reaching negative effects, including leading to depression among employees. It can be disheartening when an employee is the subject of negative talk despite their contributions to the company.
The knowledge that coworkers, bosses, or clients are speaking poorly about them and not appreciating their hard work can take a toll on their mental health and lead to depression.
Moreover, gossip about the company’s instability can cause stress and anxiety, as employees worry about their job security and the company’s future they have invested their time and effort into building.
Therefore, creating a positive and respectful work environment that discourages gossip is crucial for promoting mental health and well-being among employees.
8. Spread Falsified Information
Gossiping can lead to the spreading of falsified information.
Even if someone is confident the information they share is accurate, it can get distorted as more people pass it on.
In fact, gossiping is similar to the childhood game of ‘telephone,’ where a group of kids sits on the floor. The first person whispers a message to another person in their ear, and so on, until it reaches the last person. Then, the first kid shares the message they told, and the last kid shares the message they heard. The original message is always different when it gets to the last kid.
Likewise, when people gossip, the more it is shared, the more likely the essential aspects of the message get twisted, forgotten, or recounted differently, leading to distortion of the original message.
When information spreads between people, the accuracy of the message may get lost. Spreading falsified information, even unknowingly, can be particularly problematic for the company.
People may start to believe inaccurate information and make significant decisions based on faulty data.
For instance, they may seek a new job based on false rumors about the company’s stability or management.
What to do if Someone is Gossiping in the office?
Taking appropriate action is critical if you discover someone spreading rumors in the office.
If you can do so (i.e., their boss, owner, or HR), speaking directly with the person involved is the best approach.
When confronting the person spreading the rumor, it’s essential to do so respectfully and constructively.
Begin by expressing your concern about the impact of the rumor on the workplace and the people involved.
Ask the individual to cease spreading the rumor and clarify that such behavior is unacceptable in the workplace.
If you are not in the position to speak directly with the person spreading rumors or if the rumor is sensitive, consider discussing the matter with HR.
Why is spreading rumors unacceptable at work?
Gossiping and spreading rumors in the workplace can harm relationships and the company.
It can lead to losing trust and respect from colleagues, making it challenging to build strong working relationships or advance one’s career.
Gossiping can also tarnish one’s reputation as a leader. Good leaders focus on building a positive and productive workplace culture by fostering optimism and avoiding negativity. Engaging in gossip shows a lack of leadership skills and undermines team morale.
Furthermore, spreading false or inaccurate information can result in legal issues such as slander and defamation.
These offenses can lead to legal action against the person spreading rumors, damaging their career prospects, and resulting in significant financial and legal consequences.
Avoiding gossip and building formal relationships with colleagues and management helps create a workplace environment that promotes positivity and encouragement.
Being a supportive team member and promoting a culture of open communication, collaboration, and respect can help build a successful career and a productive work environment.
In conclusion, spreading rumors in the workplace can have severe consequences for individuals, teams, and organizations.
It can erode trust, create tension and anxiety, and damage relationships. Furthermore, it can negatively impact career prospects and result in legal issues if the rumors are false or inaccurate.
To foster a positive and productive work environment, individuals and companies need to recognize the impact of gossip and take steps to prevent it from spreading in the workplace.
Promoting open communication, collaboration, and respect for others builds strong, supportive, and successful teams that thrive in a positive, uplifting workplace culture.
About Author, Sara Elizabeth
Writer, Amora V Lifestyle
Co-Owner of Elizabeth Besich Boutique
Sara is a writer for Amora V Lifestyle and is Co-Owner of Elizabeth Besich. Sara previously worked as a Marketing Manager and has her Master’s from Lindenwood University.
Sara studies everything of interest, from psychology, recipes, finances, mental health, and travel, thriving to find happiness and to live a good life.
When not learning, Sara loves all things outdoors, food, and hanging around great company. Furthermore, Sara loves spending time with family, who she is blessed to have in her life.
Note from the author: Through my articles, I hope to bring you joy and peace and that you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I am not a professional relationship counselor, and my advice should not be considered as a substitute for professional help. It is important to communicate openly and honestly with your partner, friend or co-worker and seek guidance from a qualified professional if needed. Remember, every relationship is unique and requires individual attention and care. Any reviews or comments written are the subjective opinion of an Amora V Lifestyle member and not Amora V Lifestyle. Amora V Lifestyle performs occasional checks on commentary left by users. It’s worth mentioning that we may also use comments in our articles. By posting a comment, you are giving us permission to use it in our content. Please check out Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for full disclosure. Sources: https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/office-gossip-policies.aspx | https://deborahbyrnepsychologyservices.com/drop-the-gossip-for-better-mental-health/
