How to handle workplace Gossips

If there is one thing it is unavoidable in the workplace – it is gossips. You could either be the subject of the gossips, or you could be the one instigating the gossip.

However, let’s not forget the person subject to gossip has negative consequences – whether is it affecting their own career and reputations, or being emotionally affected by it. Worse, the person subject to being gossip could be ostracized at work.

If you are verbally harassed, these strategies could help.

Address it, tactfully

Instead of the usual practice of avoidance, addressing the person who instigated the gossip could work. However, the approach should not be done in a confrontational nor aggressive way. Being confrontational would only lead to fuel more gossips among your colleagues.

This is the right way to address gossips, especially if it is due to untrue speculations. The instigator should be able to understand that you would want to clarify the speculations. You could also self-reflect on yourself upon hearing the gossips. If you feel there is some truth in the gossips, or how most of the people perceive you to be – you could use it as a self-reflection as how others perceive you affects their motivation to collaborate and work with you.

If you are the one who are instigating the gossip, you should always remind yourself that if you are not able to bring yourself to say things in the person’s presence, then you should avoid that as a topic to others.

Don’t be one of them

If you are one of those who have been gossiping at the work place, you have lost the right to ask others to stop gossiping about you, or making you the subject of the gossip. One should never solve the problem of being the subject of gossip by gossiping about others.

This will only lead to negative repercussions, as you will likely lead to confusing signal to your colleagues and friends around you.

Report It

If the gossips have become too unhealthy, and you feel you are not able to manage it on your own, you can talk to the Human Resource department – especially if you feel if it is harassment.

Companies do not encourage gossips, anyway as it dampens morale and productivity. 

Kick-off such habits at work!

Frankly, we all have bad habits and these negative ways that we portray to our colleagues may make them stay away from you. You sure have some colleagues that dodge away when they see you. Look back at what are the things that you have done that caused this to happen.

Be that pleasant colleague that people will want to get near to you.

Checking emails constantly

It is disruptive and annoying when you go back to your emails constantly and when an email notification pops out. Give yourself the time of about 45 minutes to focus on important tasks or the priorities on your To-Do List before checking back. Else, you will realise that most of the tasks cannot be completed or could be done halfway while you move on to the next task.

You may even think that you are productive while you respond to all the incoming emails as soon as you can. However, this does not come by being productive. It does not mean that you are get your priorities done.

Over-talkative

Not everyone is willing to listen to what you have to say about work or even your personal matters. If you go on and on talking and only want people to agree with you, they may move away from you. Create a two-way conversation and also pay close attention to what the other party has to say. Try this – listen more than you take.

Turn up late for meetings

Why are we always punishing our colleagues who are punctual or even putting in the extra effort to reach 5 to 10 minutes earlier for meetings? When we wait for the latecomers, this will end up in domino effect as our colleagues may have to delay their other meetings or work schedules which have been planned out in advance.

Negativity

It is inevitable that we whine, complain or even gossip about work at times. It is alright to pour out your sorrows once in a while. You will feel better when someone understands your situation but I’m sure you do come across colleagues who are always doing that, near to every day. Have you ever thought if this will make your colleagues feel irksome when you do it repeatedly because it does not solve any issues by just whining or complaining?