4. Consider the following statement with respect to the first incident described above (office gossip):

• The grapevine carries a lot of inaccurate information that prevents employees from doing their jobs wall. To overcome this problem, managers should provide accurate Information through formal communication channels, and that will negate the need for the grapevine. H Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Explain your reasoning. Venture conducted a survey to determine workers'

perceptions of the main causes of conflict in the workplace.

Respondents were presented with a list of 10 common worker complaints and asked to list their top three. The top three vote-getters were: (1) people who talk too loud on the phone, (2) office gossip, and (3)

co-workers who waste your time. Venture further examined the impact of office gossip, and also looked at the issues o f co-workers who don't pull their weight, and clashes between older and younger workers.

Office Gossip Office gossip can polson a workplace. A tanning salon owner who had worked hard to build her company encountered big problems when employees starting spreading rumours about each other. After one salon manager disciplined a worker, other workers began spreading rumours that the salon manager was incompetent.

When the owner became aware of the large amount of gosslp that was evident at the company, she called all employees Into the head office and asked them to sign a contract that prohibited gossip.

One behaviour that is prohibited Is talking about a coworker when that co-worker isn't present. A year after introducing the contract idea, the salon owner is getting calls from other companies asking about the policy.

Bob Summerhurst, an HR specialist, says that gossip occurs when bosses play favourites or when they don't communicate properly. Any information void will be filled with gossip, and that gossip is often negative.

His solution Is not a ban on gossip, but rather regular meetings of managers and employees.