Research Shows That Not All Work Gossip Is Bad

Gossiping doesn't have to be a toxic hobby. Here's how to use the office grapevine for good.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | 04 March, 2024

From secret group chats to office corridors, gossip might pervade your organizational culture. A 2019 study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science shows that individuals spend approximately 52 minutes per day gossiping. While often brushed aside as idle talk or rumor spreading, gossip has the capacity to influence office dynamics and relationships in a big way.

There might be an evolutionary advantage to gossip as it serves as a means to foster bonding. It facilitates the spread of valuable information and the maintenance of community norms.

Not all gossip you hear has similar goals and can be categorized into the following types:

• Positive gossip. Speaking positively about others in their absence and sharing uplifting stories constitutes positive gossip. It builds trust and strengthens social bonds.
• Neutral gossip. Talking about others merely to share information is referred to as neutral gossip. Often mundane topics are discussed without any positive or negative judgment.
• Negative gossip. Spreading rumors, criticisms or unfavorable information about others constitutes negative gossip. It damages reputations and relationships.

Surprisingly, the 2019 study finds that individuals partake in neutral gossip more than positive or negative forms of gossip. Yet, workplace gossip is typically viewed in an unfavorable light. It is known to foster distrust among colleagues, damage morale and can create a hostile work environment. The general negative portrayal of gossip fails to capture the positive influence that it can exert on our work life.

One can use positive gossip in the workplace to achieve social gains in the following ways.

1. Use Gossip Competitively To Your Advantage

Gossip has the potential to be used competitively in the workplace. You can gossip to get ahead of the curve and receive beneficial resources.

A 2023 study published in Evolution and Human Behavior assessed the effect of positive and negative gossip on employees' reputations and the consequent transfer of resources. They found that gossip influenced individuals' willingness to extend a useful resource to a person. The influence was greater when gossip directly related to the situation at hand.

For example, praising someone's work under pressure made individuals more likely to receive a work-related benefit.

Effectively communicating your opinions about the organization and highlighting positive traits through gossip can improve your impression on your employer. Presenting a positive persona by selectively participating in workplace gossip can also help boost your reputation. The study also found that a good reputation increased the likelihood of receiving more benefits.

2. Use Gossip To Form Connections And Learn Vicariously

Gossip can have rich and diverse effects in the social world. You can use gossip at the workplace as a means to strengthen team camaraderie. It enhances social connections by aligning group behavior and increasing cooperation.

Research demonstrates that gossip enables people to influence each other, form similar opinions and build robust social bonds. It also promotes cooperation among groups without needing formal intervention.

One can also use gossip as a driving force for vicarious learning. The research found that gossip facilitated learning from others when direct observation was not possible. Apart from the benefits of circumventing a standard training session, workplace gossip might also make sure that you learn from others' mistakes, ensuring a smoother learning curve for you.

3. Use Gossip To Boost Satisfaction And Power

Gossip, as a multifaceted human behavior, can be used to effectively improve your status at work. You can use gossip to talk positively about your organization to experience social gains.

A 2023 study found that positive workplace gossip increased an employee's power in the organization. People view positive gossip as more valuable since it can be used to maintain and enhance their organizational success.

For instance, you might exhibit deep knowledge about the work dynamics of your team through workplace gossip in the breakroom and consequently be chosen to lead the next project.

Additionally, it was found that positive workplace gossip contributed to higher job satisfaction and lower job insecurity. Gossip also enhanced an employee's organizational identity. One might feel more secure in their position and satisfied after engaging in a fruitful and informative gossip session.

Casting gossip as baseless trash talk is a waste of high-potential workplace conversations. It can serve as a source of social power and improve your work environment. Deliberately engaging in positive workplace gossip can be instrumental in cultivating a favorable social standing within your organization.

Is your tendency to gossip at work for the better or worse? Take this test to find out: Positive Workplace Gossip Scale

A similar version of this article can also be found on Forbes.com, here.