People who gossip in the office are viewed as more sociable and more likely to be trusted, according to a new study.
But the research also warns that colleagues who do gossip are likely to be considered as “less competent” by co-workers and are not favoured by those seeking advice.
University of Leeds Business School carried out the study. They presented 1,400 participants with a range of hypothetical scenarios about colleagues and carried out five tests.
Co-author Dr Nahid Ibrahim said: “Gossip is often helpful in uncovering workplace issues that might not be reported through formal channels and can help increase employee morale.
“It can be seen as a hallmark of a well-connected individual with an extensive social network.”
However, he said that gossip can affect reputations and create misunderstandings among members, disrupting teamwork and cooperation.
“Although gossipers are seen as more sociable than someone who does not gossip, they are also seen as less moral and competent,” Dr Ibrahim added.
The study explains how gossiping has been around for thousands of years – with ancestors using it to help people judge others’ actions and reputations.
The study which is published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology concludes: “Workplace gossip is an integral part of organisations and is vital for their functioning.
“Therefore, it is crucial to understand the perceptual and behavioural consequences for organisational members who engage in gossip versus those who refrain from it.”
It added: “We hope that our work will spur more research in understanding the dynamics of gossip in the workplace.”
