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Why to Keep Your Lips Closed in Corporate America!
By Financial-Shopper-Network.Com
Oct 25, 2007 - 4:20:21 AM

Even if not meant to cause harm, office gossip can land you in big trouble. Sometimes your words can take on a life of their own; therefore, you should focus your energy on doing your job well, instead of talking about your co-workers or bosses. Otherwise, you could be reprimanded or dismissed because of so-called gossip.

Everyone has heard of talk that goes on at the office water cooler. In most cases, it is gossip about one of your co-workers or bosses. The story could be true; however, what if the facts are wrong? It is also possible for people to misunderstand something that was overheard, or the person could be making up the story. Nevertheless, these stories can hurt people’s feeling and destroy careers, regardless of whether it is true or not. Furthermore, the individual did not want his or her personal information shared with other people; otherwise, he or she would have announced this information to you and the rest of the office. On occasion, a fellow co-worker might receive a personal call that is embarrassing or directly affects his or her family; in this particular case, it is important to respect this person’s privacy by not repeating what you heard. You should expect your co-workers and bosses to show you the same courtesy.

When you gossip in the workplace, you expose everyone to liability including yourself. Some stories can cause people to lose their jobs or opportunities for advancement. While it may not be apparent, these stories can have a direct impact on your company’s earnings. What if your company fired or demoted a good employee based on what was said by someone else in the office? This would be bad for the company and that individual, if the employee is punished for untrue gossip. Unfortunately, sometimes the credibility of the gossiper can outweigh the truth. On the other hand, you can find yourself in trouble due to gossiping. This may cause others in the office to avoid you or tell on you because of your inability to keep your mouth shut about others personal lives, especially when the topic has nothing to do with the workplace. Some people have been fired for gossiping in the workplace; so, please do not allow yourself to be fired due to gossiping.

Lives and careers have been destroyed by office gossip. Unless the gossip directly affects your company, it is important to keep the personal information of others from being spread around the office. It is also unprofessional and rude to participate in office gossip. Additionally, there could be consequences as a result of gossiping in the workplace, which include being fired or reprimanded for your actions.