Managing workplace gossip is vital for organizations and for the employees who work there. Here are some essential steps you can take as a team and as an individual to encourage communications that benefit your emotional health and career.

Dealing With Gossip as a Team

1.     Consider a ban on Gossip. Some employers have adopted an official prohibition of workplace gossip and require employees to sign a pledge. Opinion remains divided about whether this practice is too extreme, but it can send a strong message.

2.     Encourage open communication policies. A more reasonable step is promoting free communication policies. Before calling in a supervisor or other outside parties, employees should talk directly with each other about conflicts.

3.     Comply with personal blogs and general internet use policies. Keep an eye on e-mail and chat too. Relevant blogs and online strategies can balance an employee's right to personal expression while protecting the company and related individuals from harassment, defamation, and other threats.

4.     Confront rumors promptly. Minimize anxieties by responding to rumors quickly. Factual information about layoffs or other complicated issues serves people better than leaving them to speculate on their own.

5.     Discuss the impact of Gossip. Use staff retreats and other gatherings to remind everyone about the difference between positive communication and Gossip. It is better to prevent damage instead of singling people out. 

6.     Know your legal rights. In general, employers have to take action against verbal harassment if they're aware of it. An employment lawyer can advise you on what options are available in your situation. If you're on a limited budget, your local bar association may be able to help you find free or low-cost legal services in your community.

Dealing with Gossip as an Individual

1.     Share information. Being generous with non-confidential details can put a check on Gossip. Keep employees informed with regular progress reports about work issues or projects. If your work is likely to affect someone else's responsibilities, ask for their input, and invite them to meetings.

2.     Be sensitive about appearances. Closed doors can set off alarms even when the explanation is innocent. Let people know that you're just watching a webinar with the speakers on, and it's okay to knock or send you an instant message if they need something.

3.     Reach out to new people. Resist the tendency to form cliques by inviting someone outside of your usual circle to join you for lunch. Sign up for the company softball team or volunteer for a charity drive.

4.     Walk away. Gossip doesn't spread if it lacks an audience. You can tactfully suggest a more effective channel for stating a complaint or just remove yourself from the discussion.

5.     Focus on your colleagues' good qualities. Tensions can build quickly at work. Remind yourself what you like about your co-workers and the things they've done to help you in the past. You'll automatically have more delightful things to say about them.

6.     Cultivate relationships outside of work. Devote adequate attention to your private life, primarily if you work long hours. Having close relationships outside the office can provide you with sources of emotional support and objective advice when issues arise in the Workplace.

7.     Get busy. The best antidote to harmful Gossip is maybe just staying active. If your day is full of tasks that you find challenging and gratifying, you're less likely to get distracted by less constructive activities.

An office grapevine run amok can take a heavy toll on morale and productivity. Help your colleagues and yourself to create a work environment where open and respectful communications flourish.