On Gossips and Chit-Chats: Steering Clear of the Rumor Mill

Next to alcohol and some food to nibble on, juicy gossip is the probably one of the staples on a Friday night out of young office professionals. In between drinks, your office mates will be chatting about co-employees, about your bosses, or about some regular client. You'll be hearing stories of why your supervisor has three kids but no husband, why Ms. X of the sales department and Mr. Y of accounting are often together, or how your co-employee Z got promoted when she's been in the company for only one year.

Gossip connotes a hint of malice. Most of us enjoy hearing about other people's dirty secrets, rather than achievements and positive stories. While gossiping is usually harmless, it can, at times, lead to destructive consequences. False stories may damage the reputation of an innocent person. Small rumors can become full-blown scandals, which can affect professional relations and work productivity.

Gossiping is unavoidable. It may even be necessary to build camaraderie and relationships with people around you. However, it would still be best if we try to steer away from rumor mill.

If someone offers some juicy tidbit, you can listen, but don't add information or your own opinion on the matter. If your officemate goes "Did you hear that Bob didn't pass this year's drug test," you can simply reply, "Oh, when's the deadline for that anyway? I haven't gotten mine yet."

You may also pretend that you're busy when someone starts an obviously gossip-infested conversation with you. When co-employee Mr. Busybody slides his office chair to your cubicle and says "Did you just see our Dina walk into our boss' office again," you can say, "Not really, because I'm too busy finishing this report."

If you can't escape the rumor-filled chitchat (like when you're out on lunch with the gossip brigade), you can brush it off and change the topic of conversation. If your officemates couldn't stop talking about Jen's personal problems, you can cap off the discussion by saying, "Haha! I think I've had enough of Jen today. Anyway, are guys joining the team-building trip next week?"

The most difficult rumor situation to handle is when the gossip is about you. You will usually find this out when friends tell you that you're the latest topic running through the gossip mill. You have a choice between reacting and defending yourself or keeping silent. It is advisable to just ignore the rumors and let the talk die down. Otherwise, you'll be contributing to the continued talks about you. When friends and officemates ask about the situation, you may simply reply that it is a personal matter, which needs not be talked about in the office.

You may want to talk to your boss though, and clear the matter, if you feel that the gossip may worsen and eventually affect your credibility and standing in the company.