Nearly everybody gossips at work. I guess it’s human nature, but people just like to talk about each other, and rarely does it do anything but add negativity to the workplace.

Well, at least one employer in Chicago decided to do something about it by banning gossip at his firm. Each of the employees at Empower Public Relations not only agreed not to gossip, but they also agreed that when an employee says something negative behind a co-worker’s back, he or she will be required to repeat that gossip to the person’s face.

The policy gives the employees a chance to diffuse the rumors by setting the record straight. I imagine it also discourages people from gossiping in the first place when they know their words may come back to haunt them. Personally, I think it’s ironic that this is a public relations firm. It seems an unusual way to do PR.

I have to admit this policy is a little extreme but it’s a good idea to get rid of gossip at work any way you can. I’ve seen all sorts of surveys and reports, and gossip is nearly always one of the biggest complaints employees have about the workplace.

Gossip in the office is bad for productivity and bad for morale. Get rid of it and companies will make more money and people will be happier at work. All in all, it’s a perfect scenario...but I don’t think getting rid of gossip will ever happen.

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