How long does this quiz take?

This quiz takes about 1–2 minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Will this quiz tell me if my workplace gossip is harmful?

It focuses specifically on positive workplace talk, helping you see how often your conversations are supportive rather than damaging.

Can my results help improve my work relationships?

Yes. Reflecting on your results can highlight ways to communicate more intentionally and build trust with colleagues.

Discover whether the way you talk about colleagues at work strengthens relationships or subtly damages trust.

Positive Workplace Gossip Scale

A psychology-backed look at positive talk in the workplace.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 25, 2025

Reviewed by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

Workplace conversations often get a bad reputation, but not all talk about absent colleagues is harmful. In fact, research suggests that positive discussions—such as praising a coworker or defending someone who isn’t present—can play a powerful role in building trust, cooperation, and shared norms at work.

This quiz is inspired by organizational psychology research on workplace gossip, but it has been adapted for everyday use. Rather than focusing on malicious rumors, it looks specifically at how often your conversations reflect appreciation, respect, and fairness toward others. Understanding these tendencies can help you become more intentional about how your words shape team culture and psychological safety.

If you’re interested in how communication styles affect relationships more broadly, you may also want to explore the Passive Aggression Scale or the Psychological Safety Scale, which examine related interpersonal dynamics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: This quiz takes about 1–2 minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Positive Workplace Gossip Scale answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Positive Workplace Gossip Scale results may have changed.
Will this quiz tell me if my workplace gossip is harmful?: It focuses specifically on positive workplace talk, helping you see how often your conversations are supportive rather than damaging.
Can my results help improve my work relationships?: Yes. Reflecting on your results can highlight ways to communicate more intentionally and build trust with colleagues.

Healthy Workplace Talk Quiz: Take The Test

Step 1: Give Your Ratings Below

For each statement, indicate how often you engage in the behavior on a scale of 1 (Never) to 5 (Very Often). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. I express respect for a colleague when discussing them with someone else.

2. I speak positively about a colleague’s work when they are not present.

3. I share favorable impressions of one coworker with another coworker.

4. I stand up for a colleague if their actions are being questioned in their absence.

5. I mention admirable qualities of coworkers when talking with others at work.

6. I give credit to a colleague for their contributions when they are not part of the conversation.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Positive Workplace Gossip Scale Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Brady, D. L., Brown, D. J., & Liang, L. H. (2017). Moving beyond assumptions of deviance: The reconceptualization and measurement of workplace gossip. Journal of Applied Psychology, 102(1), 1–25.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.