Office Gossip

A spate of recent articles from business and etiquette writers warn about the dangers of office gossip and advise workers how to avoid it. In fact, most gossip in the workplace is positive or innocuous. (For example, Have you seen Jane? She looks terrific!) Gossip about potential layoffs, plant closings and other problems can be helpful to employees and serve as alerts to management. Considerable research by sociologists and others indicates that gossip bonds workers and enhances morale.

Do you gossip in your workplace?