Tips for Shutting Down the Rumor Mill at Your Workplace

Did you ever play the game "Telephone" as a child? One person whispers something to the next person, then that person whispers what they think they heard to the next person, and so on. Through a series of misheard (or deliberately misinterpreted) words, the last person in the chain usually ends up with something completely different than what was originally said.

The same thing happens in real life everyday, especially in business. Rumors start out small, then often snowball into some uncontrollable force until everyone gets sucked into its wake. There are steps you can take to stem the flow of the rumor mill and communicate more effectively in the workplace.

It's ironic how even in today's age, where communication can occur instantly with anyone else in the world, it can also be quite a challenge to get your point across. Yet communication is still consistently a concern of employees in almost every office you visit.

Do you suddenly find yourself faced with a rumor mill running faster than usual, employees who don't fully understand their role and its place in the workplace, and employees who are calling out sick more or leaving their positions at a record pace? Your office may be facing these issues without you even realizing it.

This is a serious issue, but one that can be quickly and easily fixed if you put a few measures in place. Try holding more regular meetings among the staff with a clear agenda that gives everyone a voice; this way the employees know they'll be heard without having to discuss things behind your back. Also speak with them one-on-one in private meetings, so they'll feel more comfortable sharing things they might otherwise keep to themselves in front of others.

Some companies have actually created a space on their website specifically for employees, such as a message board or forum for them to post business-related information for everyone to read. This clarifies such things as company policies that might otherwise be more ambiguous (and subject to rumors).

Email is another potential landmine if not controlled. All network-wide communication should be kept as short and relevant as possible. Good news is always a welcome sight, so share that whenever you can. Anything negative, especially concerning a specific division or group of employees, should be reserved for more personal contact-such as over the phone, or even in person. And don't forget to always double-check the "Reply to All" button; that alone has landed more businesspeople in trouble than any other email function.

If there's low morale in the workplace, your employees won't work nearly as well as they would in a positive environment; and where there's dissent, there'll be potentially damaging rumors. By making sure the lines of communication stay static-free, you'll greatly improve the morale and satisfaction of your employees-and, by extension, keep a higher percentage of your workforce.