'It's a double-edged sword': Shelly Horton unpacks the 'perks and pitfalls' of office gossip

Gossiping in the office: love it or loathe it?

I've got a bit of a unique perspective on the topic, having worked as a gossip columnist for the Sun Herald.

I thought I'd hate it because I'd always judged gossipy people poorly and I assumed I'd be hated, but I actually loved it. I promised myself I'd only do the job for a year and ended up staying for six because I had so much fun.

But is office gossip the same when it's not your actual job?

READ MORE: 'Dangerous': Harry reveals why he won't bring Meghan to UK

Gossiping at work is one of those guilty pleasures everyone indulges in, but no one wants to admit to. And now, research has given us a peek behind the curtain on how people who engage in workplace gossip are perceived.

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that people who enjoy a good gossip at work are seen as more sociable but, and here's the kicker, less competent. 

Yes, it's a double-edged sword: these individuals might be your go-to for organising the office party, but you probably wouldn't ask them for advice on handling sensitive ethical matters.

READ MORE: J.Lo's cryptic post on her 55th birthday

Nahid Ibrahim, the study's co-author from the University of Leeds Business School, shared some fascinating insights. According to her, gossip is a valuable form of information exchange, something our ancient ancestors would have done too.

"Gossip often helps people navigate the workplace by offering information typically unavailable through formal channels," she explained. 

For newcomers, gossip can be a treasure trove of information about colleagues, office dynamics, and importantly who to avoid.

READ MORE: Mind-blowing $76,000 detail in Mary's Olympic appearance

But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Gossiping also comes with an ethical cost. "Gossiping is also seen as a form of moral transgression," Ibrahim said. 

Sharing private and sensitive information about others, whether with or without the intention to harm their reputation, can be problematic. The labels attached to gossip – like 'idle talk' and 'chit-chat' – suggest it's a waste of time that could be better spent on more productive activities.

In the study, 1,400 participants were presented with five hypothetical workplace scenarios involving a colleague named "Alex." The name was gender-neutral to avoid bias.

View gallery

He was number one on the Aussie charts, then faded away

Participants were split into two groups: one was told Alex loved to chit-chat about everything, while the other was told Alex avoided gossip. 

The results were revealing.

Those who were told about gossiper Alex rated them as more sociable but less moral and competent. 

In a scenario where participants needed advice on handling an ethical matter – like how to deal with employees receiving overly generous gifts from clients – they were less likely to turn to gossip-mongering Alex. 

Conversely, when the task was to organise a welcoming lunch for new employees, loose-lipped Alex was more likely to be asked for help.

READ MORE: 'It was hell': Kirsten's diagnosis made her spiral into addiction

So workplace gossip has both its perks and pitfalls. "Organisations are very similar to social communities, and gossip plays a critical role in ensuring their effective functioning," Ibrahim said. 

It fosters relationships and can pave the way for effective collaboration. Gossip can also uncover workplace issues that might not be reported through formal channels, potentially boosting employee morale.

However, the dark side of gossip is that it can cause significant harm. It can damage reputations, create misunderstandings, and disrupt teamwork. For the targets of gossip, the experience can lead to lower morale and higher dissatisfaction, potentially resulting in formal complaints and grievances.

READ MORE: Susan Sarandon's daughter responds to body-shaming online trolls

So, where does that leave us with gossip in the office? Like many things, it seems to be a matter of balance. A bit of gossip can help build connections and keep the workplace running smoothly, but too much can tip the scales towards negativity and dysfunction.

Reflecting on my own time as a gossip columnist, I remember the thrill of uncovering a juicy tidbit and the camaraderie that often came with sharing it. But I also recall the occasional pangs of guilt and the realisation that some stories might have been better left untold, or with time turned out to be untrue.

I still have some regrets over some stories I published even though I believed they were true at the time and came from multiple sources. It's still gossip.

READ MORE: One line in movie credits exposed Blake Lively's secret role

In the office, the stakes can be just as high, if not higher. Gossip can be a social lubricant, but it can also be a social landmine.

So, next time you find yourself on the brink of sharing that tantalising piece of office news, take a moment to consider the impact. Will it build bridges or burn them? Will it enlighten or entangle? 

In the end, a little bit of gossip might be inevitable, and even beneficial, but it's always wise to tread carefully. After all, when it comes to office gossip, it's not just about what you're saying, but how you're saying it and who's listening. Is it worth the trade-off between being seen as sociable versus competent?

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.