Gossip

[middleman911]

I'm searching on ideas on how to handle gossip and trying to find out different techniques to handle the one or two people that spread it. I for one don't like it, especially if it's hurtful and especially if it's not true. With so many personalities in our room, it's difficult to have one standard way to handle it. The direct approach has always worked well for me, but it makes for tension in a room that's already stressful. The one getting called on it feels that they need to "know" who told it, so they can figure out who they told, then jump them about it. It's a vicious circle.

[dmadmin]

My experience is that gossip is like prejudice--it hides out where people don't speak out. But, as always, it's difficult being the first (or only) person to speak up and say it's unacceptable. I think the best approach is to subtly educate people on the consequences of gossip and why it's an unacceptable behavior for the workplace. It really is divisive, and works to tear apart the team spirit that a comm center must especially foster. It's disrespective to individuals, in that you would say things about a person you wouldn't say to their face. It's many times insultive, in that the gossip isn't true. People should be asked, "Are we a team here, motivated by the public's safety, all working together towards the same goal?" If so, then gossip has no place in the comm center.

[kelley.parton]

Well said - I couldn't agree more 'DA ADMIN!'

It's rather more so of a challenge especially if other supervisors do not follow the same lead as you to hault gossip.

[daizemaze]

I am new to Supervising but that is one of my pet peaves especially when the whole room gets going against one person. I just tell them to pick a different topic to discuss. This was also covered at our last shift briefing.