Researchers at Durham University and NEOMA Business Schools have found that (surprise, surprise!) gossiping at work really is bad for your career.
The study found that gossipers are “frowned upon” by fellow colleagues, they can become “socially excluded” at work, and can find their promotion prospects dented. It also discovered that women had more negative views of indiscreet people than men.
The researchers found the respondents in the study had negative sentiments toward rumour mongers, and would remove them from social media groups, share less information, and in some instances not talk to them again. The participants were also far more likely to rate gossipers’ performance at work more lowly, recommend bonus reductions, or “even impede their potential promotions.”
So … tempted to pass on that juicy titbit you overheard the other day? Think hard before you say anything!
Oh yeah, no one likes an employee who keeps gossiping around about other people. It’s fine to share a gossip or two, but it’s never recommended to be knows as the office gossiper🤣
I guess it makes sense, no one wants to work with someone spreading rumours. And interesting to see the gender difference in how people view it. Definitely something to keep in mind at the workplace!
Yes - as the authors put it “the effect of negative gossip on attributions of morality was stronger for female than for male recipients” - so women are judged more harshly for gossiping than men!
