Workplace Gossip

Do you believe this? According to a new study, workplace gossip may have its disadvantages, but it can also improve your health. "It can act as a great stress reliever," said Kathryn Waddington, senior lecturer in psychology at City University, London. "It can be a way to vent anger, envy or frustration. Many of our respondents noted that they used it as a way to let off steam." The study also observed that it played a key role in group cohesion. Unsurprisingly, it found that gossip usually occurred when people had plenty of time on their hands. But Waddington warns not to underestimate the destructive power of gossip, especially when used as a subtle way to harass people. She noted that the subjects of rumours could suffer irrevocable damage to their careers and self-esteem. Waddington said that gossip tended to increase at times of insecurity and change in the workplace, and she advised HR managers to ensure that reliable information was conveyed to the workforce site regularly and as swiftly as possible during these periods.