How do you deal with backbiting at work?

How do you deal with backbiting at work?

Keep Silent. If you don’t like backbiting at work, don’t join in. Don’t contribute any negative stories, and don’t respond to anyone else’s hints that he has gossip to share. This is particularly important if you’re a manager, as employees take cues from you as to what’s acceptable behavior.

Is gossiping unprofessional?

Gossip is a waste of time and productivity; it ruins reputations and creates great anxiety among workers. Other experts see it as a classic symptom of an unhealthy attitude towards work, arguing it is only unprofessional employees who believe it is okay and acceptable to gossip in the office.

Should gossip be allowed in the workplace?

Some people are adamant that office gossip is an essential part of the workplace and a necessary skill to advance your career and generally be liked by others while staying in the know. The flip side to the coin is that gossip is readily seen as needless and potentially a lethal part of office culture that kills morale and strains relationships.

How can you stop employees from gossiping behind their backs?

Writing policies prohibiting gossip may be tricky enough that companies may instead want to focus on educating employees about the dangers of talking about co-workers behind their backs, said Hyman. “Work this into a broader initiative addressing whatever you want to call the behavior—whether bullying or just unprofessional conduct.”

How do you deal with a gossipy co-worker?

Engage the gossiper in a conversation that lets them air their real grievances and be understanding but firm in your responses. Maybe they are peeved that they missed out on a training or promotion opportunity; maybe they are annoyed that the victim of the gossip has a special work deal or work hours that they also want to have.

Do you need to respond to negative gossip?

“Sometimes people are deserving of negative gossip,” Willer says, “but don’t perceive it that way.” It’s important to probe into whether there is some truth in what is being said about you. 5. Consider how to respond.