Why That One Coworker’s Daily Rant Sticks With You Longer Than You Think

In any given workplace in the United States, there is often an employee who constantly vents about something in relation to the company or its management, but while this may not seem significant at first, it is possible that it could influence how other people feel about their own workplace.

However, this sharing of frustrations is not unique, and there is often no realization that it could have psychological impacts on both the person venting and the person listening. According to Psychology Today, there is often venting that is done in relation to relieving stress or gaining validation.

What is co-rumination

This behavior, as experts describe it, is known as co-rumination. This is defined as “repeatedly focusing on and discussing problems without actively working towards solutions and without making progress towards solutions.” While it may create a feeling of bonding between co-workers, it also has the potential to create negative thoughts over time.


As described in this same Psychology Today article, co-rumination allows people to work through emotions outside of themselves, but it also has the potential to create a cycle in which both people will become frustrated rather than relieved.

This means that instead of feeling better after speaking with a co-worker, employees will actually end up feeling worse and will be able to focus on what is wrong in their workplace.

Another important element that helps in explaining this phenomenon is emotional contagion. In this regard, emotional contagion can be defined as the way in which people pick up on the emotions of the people around them without even consciously trying.

For instance, when one is consistently around someone who is dissatisfied with things in general or is constantly worried and/or upset, they are likely to pick up on these emotions without even consciously trying.

A study that was cited in Psychology Today indicates that this phenomenon can actually lead to an increase in levels of stress and feelings of helplessness, even when the person listening to the problem was not initially affected by the problem. This can actually lead to emotional exhaustion, which in turn lowers one’s energy levels.

The link to burnout

Research indicates that being constantly exposed to negative conversations in the workplace may cause burnout, especially if an individual feels trapped in an endless loop of conversation. Co-rumination is also known to cause emotional exhaustion in an individual.

According to research findings by the University of Georgia, it has been noted that employees in the workplace who frequently vent in the office are likely to be negatively impacted by their emotions, which may cause them to have low job satisfaction. This is because being constantly exposed to office problems may cause an individual to feel that their problems are bigger than they really are.

Listening to complaints repeatedly may also influence how an employee views their workplace, even if their own experiences have been neutral or positive. Eventually, listening to complaints repeatedly may influence an employee’s mindset in a negative way, making it difficult for them to focus on the positive aspects of their workplace.

The University of Georgia study indicates that listening to complaints repeatedly may also amplify perceptions of workplace problems. This could eventually influence a decrease in morale or team cooperation. As more people develop similar perceptions, dissatisfaction could spread across teams, making it normal or acceptable.

The emotional cost for listeners

For those who are constantly at the receiving end of these interactions, the effects may not be limited to mere stress. Repeatedly being exposed to negativism may cause mental exhaustion, which in turn may impair their ability to be productive.

Psychology Today points out that "emotional exhaustion is the most common consequence of repeated episodes of venting interactions." This, in turn, may cause the employees to find it hard to deal with their own lives. It may even lead to the onset of mental illness if the process is repeated consistently.

Despite these risks, venting is not entirely detrimental, and if done thoughtfully, it can provide an opportunity for building connections among co-workers. Showing support and being understanding can actually strengthen relationships, but experts also stress the need to put boundaries in place in order to avoid emotional overload.

This is in line with what research in Psychology Today has suggested. Employees can take measures to ensure their own well-being by avoiding how frequently negative repetitive conversations are engaged in and by being supportive in such a way that conversations are steered towards solutions.

Why awareness matters

By understanding the impact that frequent venting in the workplace has, employees will be able to make informed decisions about the ways in which they participate in these conversations. This is key to maintaining personal and professional well-being.

While it may seem like an easy back-and-forth about things that annoy people, the research indicates that there is a greater emotional component at play, and it is important for employees to recognize that listening to these conversations is draining and respond in ways that protect themselves.