Avoiding Rumors and Gossip in the Workplace

Everyday there are millions of Americans dreading going to work due to the ongoing office rumors and gossip that they disdain but yet feel it necessary to participate in, in order to be a part of the group and to also feel that they are well-liked and welcomed at work.

Your colleagues, co-workers and peers wish for you to conform to their beliefs about one or more individuals and also want you to participate in their perceived competition between this or that individual or group. In so doing, you are engaging in a conversation about your other colleagues, the likes of which often times have no merit and are not warranted or true. Your co-workers also want to lead you to believe that they are revealing a 'secret' about another, wherein they point out and discuss sensational 'facts' that have yet to be substantiated. Although you do not want to participate or be a part of the gossip at work, but you feel you have no choice, you don't want to ruffle any feathers or feel you may call negative attention to yourself.

There are ways in which you can avoid playing a role in the gossip at work. Your main objective of working is to collect a paycheck. You have to make your living. Why make it more than it actually is? There are ways in which you can avoid office rumors and gossip in the workplace. Of course there is always going to be that 'one bad apple' that no matter what you do, your gossipy co-worker will always make statements directed at your co-workers but are not genuine. But, there are things you can do to combat this.

As you do not wish to be a part of the continued and ongoing gossip or be the subject yourself of having your co-workers talk about you, the best way to combat the latter is to not discuss anything about yourself other than anything basic, such as your marital status, whether or not you have children, or you can discuss any pets you might have. Make no mention of your personal beliefs on any subject, or don't reveal any private information or experience. You don't want to give your co-workers any 'ammunition'.

However, you still want to maintain a pleasant and personable nature. Remember, and keep in mind, if a so-called 'friend' and colleague of yours is talking about another co-worker to you, then rest assured when your back is turned, that same so-called 'friend' of yours is talking about you to someone else at work.

Avoid your participation - to prevent you from taking part in any gossip or rumor, don't acknowledge any observation made to you about another co-worker. Be straightforward and honest. If you even acknowledge in any way the comments made, you are in essence silently admitting the matters told to you are true. It is not necessary to be rude or impolite, just don't have an opinion at all, a simple statement on your part will suffice, such as "Since I'm not aware that what you are saying is true or not, I really can't comment".

If you do not wish to take that route in handling it, then you do have other courses of action. If pressured by your co-worker for your views on any such gossip, one way is to distract or divert his or her attention from further discussion. Another such way to avoid or be involved in the rumors and gossip is to politely chance the subject and sneak in an "oh, did you hear who won the ballgame?".

Another way to reduce or eliminate your involvement is to make it appear as though you are in a hurry to get something done, "oh look at the time, I have got to get this done or my head will be on the chopping block!". Your co-worker will follow your lead and allow you to do your job. This tactic can be used if you just want to buy some time.

By incorporating and applying or using these techniques in your workplace, you will be able to find a balance between maintaining a good work-oriented relationship with your co-workers while avoiding the perpetual gossip and rumors that can cause a clash in opinions and/or further friction in the workplace.