Intrigue, gossip and drama: OMG!
The office vine is a valuable source of information. Where else would we find out what is happening or will happen? Most business owners accept that information will be shared among employees prior to “official announcements.” In fact, official announcements can serve to verify or deny facts that have been whispered about long before plans are finalized.
When office gossip goes awry, it’s nearly impossible to put all the pieces together before someone gets hurt, or worse, a decision is made based on false or malicious information.
Many industries are notorious for the confrontational behavior of the people who work in them. Employers shake their heads in frustration when asked about the daily activities in their offices. Small businesses are especially susceptible because people work in close proximity to one another and often share personal information. Additionally, small business owners share information about former employees during reference checks.
Employment law is clear about what information we can share about employees, what we can ask about them, and what we can use to make decisions. What no law can cover is how what we hear and see affects our decision-making process or how engaging in gossip can compromise our ability to be fair.
Employers may find themselves treating someone differently, making exceptions or excusing someone based on information that has nothing to do with their performance. Being a sensible leader is a great thing, but choosing the right sources of information for decision making is even better.
It’s a mistake many small business owners make. You work closely with people and get to know them. You make decisions based on information that is readily available. Even the smallest business can benefit from formalized processes. Job descriptions, written procedures for common tasks, even a sparse employee handbook, will provide employees and the business owner with a sense of security, some objective guidelines for the things that really matter.