Think office gossip is toxic? Science says talking about your boss can have real benefits

Talking behind your boss’s back is usually seen as bad, unprofessional, and toxic at work, but new research says the truth is more complicated. A new study found that gossiping about a boss can create distance between workers and their managers, but it can also make coworkers feel closer and work better together.

Guilt, shame and fear is what some employees feel, as per researchers, after they have gossiped about someone, and leads them to avoid their boss and impact productivity, Newsweek said. However sharing complaints and concerns with colleagues, it also creates an environment of warmth and bonhomie, making them feel belong to an environment. Because of this, gossip can sometimes act like a “social glue” that strengthens coworker relationships, even though it still has risks

Gossip can hurt boss relationship

The research was done through surveys by experts from Rutgers University, Utah State University, and Southern Methodist University. Researchers did a study with 202 office workers from different jobs. They asked them two times every day for 10 days about gossip and how they felt. In another study, they checked 111 more workers and also asked their coworkers. Both studies showed the same results.

One clear finding was that after gossiping, workers often avoided their boss. The distance from the leader of your workplace also impacts communication, ability to take calls at crunch times and group initiatives—just because of the gossip induced guilt. On the same days workers gossiped, they felt closer to their coworkers and were more ready to help and cooperate with each other.

Gossip can bring coworkers closer

Talking negatively about a boss often worked as a bonding activity, because sharing frustrations made employees feel understood and connected. This bonding effect was strongest when bosses were emotionally or verbally abusive, because employees united against a shared problem. In such cases, the boss became a “common enemy,” which increased teamwork among employees but also made them withdraw even more from the boss. Overall, researchers said gossip is not purely bad — it has both negative and positive effects, adding more nuance to how workplace gossip is understood.

FAQs

Q1. Is gossiping about your boss always bad at work?

No, a study reported by Newsweek says it can hurt boss relationships but can also make coworkers feel closer.

Q2. Why do employees feel closer after gossiping about a boss?

Because sharing complaints makes workers feel understood and increases teamwork and support among colleagues.