Get advice on how to deal with jerks at work Check out the book 'Jerks At Work' and other titles by Ken Lloyd Ph.D. Return to the JerksAtWork.com homepage Learn more about Ken Lloyd, Ph.D. Submit a question to Ken Lloyd, Ph.D.
 

Gossip

Here are the questions filed under this category. To read Ken's advice on any item, click on the link "Read Ken's Answer."


I manage a medium-sized department and I overheard one employee telling several others some very negative things about me, none of which were true. If I confront him, it means that I was eavesdropping, but if I let this go, then the rest of the group is left with some incorrect information about me. What do you suggest?
Read Ken's Answer

I work with someone who seems to hate me for no reason. Perhaps he is jealous of my working relationship with our boss. Recently one of my co-workers told me that this person has been talking trash behind my back to other members of the team. I told my manager, but he is hesitant to do anything about it. I don't know how to deal with this.
Read Ken's Answer

Through the grapevine, we have learned that one supervisor stands outside of MIS, Customer Service, and Accounting and listens in on employee conversations. He never says anything that indicates what he may have overheard, but some of us are still left feeling spooky. How would you suggest approaching him?
Read Ken's Answer

What do you do when an employee comes in and gives you a bunch of information about his co-worker that is just plain false? Some of his information could have been damaging to this co-worker, and I'm just glad I went out and learned the truth before taking any action. What should I say to this employee?
Read Ken's Answer

A good friend of mine works in the back office of a small medical practice. She feels picked on by the doctor and the receptionist. The receptionist complains constantly, and the doctor allows himself to be drawn into her gossip about the back office staff. I've told my friend that she should find an office where there are more employees because what she is experiencing is typical of small medical offices. What do you think?
Read Ken's Answer

One of my co-workers is a big gossip. She is always talking about what other people are doing or not doing. I have tried to get her to stop, and I have even told her that our manager says he wants us to focus on our work and not on gossiping. She says she is not gossiping because what she is saying is the truth. Is she right?
Read Ken's Answer