19 July,2010 07:20 AM IST | | Malini Banerjee
Ray Dalio, one of Manhattan's most formidable traders, has a rule for his employees: If you are caught gossiping about a colleague on three occasions, you will be sacked. FYI finds out whether workplace gossip is really as bad for you as it's been made out to be
American entrepreneur Ray Dalio believes that gossip "destroys trust and poisons working relationships" and has drafted a policy where employees caught gossiping about a colleague on three occasions will be fired.
Closer home, assistant HR manager Hiral Patel dubs gossiping in the workplace a "non-issue". "It does not merit discussion, leave alone such drastic action," says Hiral.
"It may be too harsh a measure," agrees Ruta Karve, assistant HR manager with a leading American
pharmaceutical company.
However, Hiral goes on to add that gossip in the workplace can get toxic. "It can be de-motivating for a person, particularly if it's a group of people against one colleague."
Ruta too advocates that direct communication should be the preferred mode of communication. "Gossip can create a grapevine of half-truths, which in turn can result in the creation of an unhealthy environment," says Ruta.
It's best to keep gossip out of the workplace, feels psychiatrist Yusuf Matcheswalla.
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"People have felt compelled to commit suicide, and marriages have broken down when gossip takes a negative turn. It's known to demoralise and affect a person's self-esteem," adds Yusuf.
But not all gossip need be malicious, with professionals seeing it as a result of long hours spent at the workplace.
Says Rituparna Datta, 25, senior analyst at an offshore analytics outsourcing company, "People spend almost half their lives in the confines of an office. Not allowing them to gossip is like asking them not to eat food in office premises!"
"Gossip creates camaraderie between colleagues," says Sumeet Raghvan from the online stand-up comedy show, Jai Hind. Yusuf adds, "Gossiping is fun and can help one de-stress."
Besides, it's not like rules can stop you from gossiping.
Asks media professional, Piyasree Dasgupta, 25, "We all have phones and once we're out of office, we'll gossip. So, if gossiping for a few minutes at work makes Jack a better boy at work, why not?"
"Besides, what do you think kept us afloat through the recession?" shoots Piyasree.
Gossip etiquette
Pick on someone your own size
Gossip can get dirty if you're in a position of authority and are picking on a subordinate.
Play fair
Don't gang up against one person. Two against one is just not fair.
Don't stay quiet
Not speaking up after hearing something particularly malicious being said about another colleague makes you part of the crime. Silence indicates complicity.
Leave dirty laundry behind
If you have personal information about a colleague that could prove to be potentially embarrassing for him/her, it is best not to bring it up.
Should people be sacked for gossipping?
Rituparna Datta, senior analyst
Firing someone for gossiping about a colleague is not the solution. Such a rule will increase gossip instead of reducing it. To cut down on gossip in the office, have diversions like recreational activities and team-building sessions.
Jayati Bhatia, actress, Sabki Laadli Bebo
Gossip is like lifeblood for people in our field of work. We spend 12 to 13 hours at work every day and there is a lot of idle time. We would be a very boring bunch without frothy gossip.
Anumita Ghosh, ad professional
Sacking people because of gossiping is a bit lame. Whether one chooses to deal with it or ignore it or participate in it should be a personal call and not a professional one.
