How To Avoid Gossips at Work

Gossiping at work can be a real pain, yet on average American employees spend 40 minutes per week doing it, according to Inc.com. Not only can it create a hostile and unproductive work environment, it can also be a major source of embarrassment, especially if it involves personal details. But never fear, in this article we’ll explore some of the best ways to avoid gossip and keep your professional reputation intact. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to learn how to dodge the gossip-mongers and maintain a drama-free work life.

What Are The Gossip About?

Understand the Consequences of Gossiping

Gossiping at work can have serious consequences. It can damage relationships with colleagues, cause a loss of trust, and even result in disciplinary action. It can also cause a very negative atmosphere at work, which itself may lead to a feeling of burn out.

To avoid getting caught up in gossips, it’s important to understand the potential consequences and take steps to ensure you stay away from them.

Respect Privacy of Your Colleague & Stay Professional

Respecting your colleagues’ privacy is essential to avoiding gossips at work. Be mindful of personal information you may share about others, and avoid asking for it. This can also be a great way of setting a positive example for your co-workers.

When it comes to gossip, it’s the same as when trying to avoid politics at work: the best defense is to stay professional. Remember that gossip, no matter how tempting, can have serious consequences. Be courteous, but maintain a professional distance from colleagues. Avoid participating in conversations that could lead to gossip and respect the privacy of your co-workers.

Don’t Participate 

The best way to avoid gossips at work is to not participate in them. If someone starts talking to you about someone else, firmly but politely redirect the conversation. It’s also a good idea to stay away from gossiping coworkers to reduce the temptation. One passive strategy to do it is to avoid giving any verbal or even non-verbal cues that you’re interesting in the conversation at all. In short, avoid saying “Right”, “Ok”, “I see”… just stay silent and your gossiping colleague will soon understand you have no interest in pursuing the conversation.

Know When to Speak Up 

If you’re aware that there are whispers going around, it’s important to speak up. Let people know that you don’t condone gossip and won’t take part in it. This will help ensure that the gossip stops quickly, and you’ll protect yourself from being dragged into it.

In Case You Can’t Avoid It: End Discussions Promptly 

It’s important to be mindful of the time you spend talking with colleagues at work. If you find yourself in a conversation that’s starting to stray into gossip, it’s best to politely end the discussion. That way, you won’t find yourself in the middle of something that could potentially cause drama. To cut the gossip conversation short, you could refer to the work you’ve got to do “I’d love to talk more, but I have some important deadline to meet”, or explain you have a meeting or a lunch to attend.