I know we all deal with gossip at work, and that I may be a worse offender than others. But since working at the Evil Coffee Corp I have found that most people will talk to me about people they don't like.... maybe it's because I look nice.... I dunno. Usually it is just about who they don't like, why certain people got hired for a job, why some people are just annoying... and mostly, funny things/mistakes that people do. Now that I am a shift supervisor and I don't know my subordinates and coworkers as well as I did at Bethel or Kohls I'm a little bit nervous about talking about people. I don't want to ruffle feathers or make enemies, though I'm not gossiping as much as I am listening to others gossip.
So I am asking for the help of others: when do you think gossip steps over the line? Do you think any gossip is bad? Is gossip just a natural part of a work environment?
Just so you all know, I am not in any position where I will be judging anyone who I hear gossip about... mainly I think it helps me gain a feeling for the store. And nobody HATES anybody else, just more 'general' work issues and none of it is about the asst. manager or manager.
Posted by 10lees at August 3, 2004 12:14 PM