Do managers participate? Do they condone gossip by remaining silent when they hear others talking about their subordinates or colleagues? If needed, you may want to create a policy specifically addressing malicious rumors and gossip. Keep in mind, the policy should not be overly broad, or it may be considered unenforceable, especially if it restricts the rights of employees to talk about wages, hours, workplace conditions or any other employment conditions, which are rights that are guaranteed by the National Labor Relations Act and that apply to private employers.
Creating a workplace built on trust and training staff to resolve conflict could lead to a more engaged workforce. Every employee should understand and commit to the values of the organization, and all employees should be taught how to positively engage with others when problems arise. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page. By Barbara Holland August 26, Reuse Permissions. Image Caption.
There are several intentions in the mind of the rumor starter. Following are some of the reasons why the rumor starter starts a rumor:. Rumors spread in proportion to ambiguity — the more ambiguous the environment the more easily rumors will spread. Rumors also spread speedily in environments that do not discourage them. The more attention a rumor gets, the more widespread it becomes. Whether it is a home, institute or a workplace, if the culture of the place supports rumors and does not have a mechanism for discouraging it, rumors will gain quick attention.
Rumors can affect our personal as well as professional lives, even if we have done nothing to start them. Here are a few ways how:. Rumors can have serious effects on our personal lives and become an impediment in our growth and development:. When rumors about us get started in the workplace, they can greatly influence our professional lives.
Here are a few ways in which rumors can have an impact on us on the professional level:. Unfortunately, rumors can get started about the best amongst us. If you ever find yourself in a situation where a rumor has started concerning you, you must know how to handle the situation effectively. But before you know what to do, you must understand there are some things you should not do in such a situation.
Here are some of those things:. Now that we know what we should not do, here are a few things we should do in order to manage rumors about us effectively:. If you own an organization or are a manager in one, then it is your responsibility to create an environment that discourages rumors, since you already understand the destructive impacts of rumors in the workplace. Of course, if you're doing absolutely nothing to fuel the rumor, then there's nothing to change. And even if you are doing something to potentially cause the rumor, don't be hard on yourself if that's the case!
Prove that it's not true if you can. If you have evidence that can prove that the rumor isn't true, then you should put it forth. For example, if people are saying your boyfriend isn't real, bring him to the next party. If people are gossiping that you don't know how to swim, throw a pool party. If you can produce a document that can prove the rumor false once and for all, don't think it's beneath your dignity to do so.
Of course, one of the problems with rumors is that they are so hard to disprove. Don't scramble for evidence to the contrary if you simply can't get it. Broadcast the rumor. Yes, that's right. Verbalize or post the rumor in a prominent way. By acknowledging the rumor, you're taking away some of its momentum. Rumors spread like wildfire because the people who spread them do so in order to gain social status , and that depends on them having the "inside scoop. Everybody will already know! Of course, if it's deeply painful, then you may not want the world to know.
But if you think talking about it to everyone is the easiest way to prove it's ridiculous and to make it go away, then go for it. Confront the source. If you know who spread the rumor, then you may want to talk to the person who did it. Be civil and keep your head high and talk to the person honestly about why he or she spread the rumor and acknowledge the trouble it's caused without looking too upset.
Say something like, "I know we're not exactly best friends, but spreading false rumors about me is not the way to resolve our issues. Of course, don't put yourself in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation if you know that talking to the person in question will simply do you no good.
Take care of yourself. Rumors can make people upset, angry, or even depressed. No matter what people are saying about you, keep your head high and remember who you are. Don't let other people determine your value in this life and stay strong, no matter what people are saying about you.
Make sure to spend time with good friends, get enough sleep, and to maintain your self-esteem in spite of what people are saying about you. You may be so busy worrying about how to convince people the rumors aren't true that you haven't spent time taking care of yourself. Well, you've got to focus on yourself -- instead of the meaningless hurt caused by others -- if you want to go back to having a happy, healthy life. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Above everything, stay calm. People love to see a reaction. You staying calm will help you kill the rumor, and will help you with similar instances in the future.
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0. Try to act like it doesn't bother you and if it does don't show that it does. Keep your head up high. Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0. Talk it out with the person that believed the rumor and tell them what is really going on. If it was you who started the rumor in the first place, don't deny it. Instead of reacting to what others will think of you, admit what you did wrong out of character.
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0. Try to ignore the background noise of people's comments about you. Remember that the rumor will eventually die down. It's easier for someone to believe you when you come to them first.
Find the source of the rumor. When you hear about a rumor, sometimes it's best to go to the source of the rumor to understand why it was spread. This can help you from being hurt and can also prevent you from judging someone incorrectly. As people are spreading the rumor ask them who they heard it from, and hopefully you will be able to find the source of the rumor.
If it was a friend, you might ask them if you did something that upset them that caused them to spread the rumor. You should also figure out if the rumor was spread in malice or because information was communicated incorrectly.
Although neither are good things, someone may have spread a rumor, not knowing it was a rumor. In this case, the person wasn't doing it out of malice, so you don't want to create unnecessary drama. If you find out someone did do the rumor out of malice, ask them why they started it.
As stated earlier, people often start rumors because they are insecure about themselves. In this situation try to understand the person and practice giving them grace and forgiving them. Although this can be hard, the best way to love someone and help change them is by showing them grace when they don't deserve it.
If you react kindly to this person, they may feel guilt or shame for spreading the rumor and then it may be easier to convince them to tell people the real truth. Make it known the rumor was false. The best way to denounce a rumor is by proving to people that it can't possibly be true. You can do this by explaining to people what is actually true, or you can show it to them by your actions. If the rumor involves you and someone else, ask that other person to help you prove that the rumor is false.
Sometimes it can be helpful to have a third party refute the rumor. Don't flirt with other people and spend more time with your significant other so that people begin to question the truth of the rumor. If someone spread a rumor at your work about your laziness or that you were going against company policy, then try your best to show people you are a hard worker and that you are totally in line with company policy. Make it so hard for people to believe that the rumor is true.
While this step isn't always fun or enjoyable, because you may feel like you are having to prove yourself when you shouldn't be, it can be effective. Telling people a rumor isn't true may work, but when you show it to them, they have undeniable evidence and proof. Gather your social support and get your friends to speak up for you. Understand that it may take time for the rumor to fade.
Unfortunately, even if you have addressed the rumor, not all rumors fade quickly or immediately. Some people will believe you or will become uninterested while others may take some sort of twisted joy in hurting your reputation and will continue to discuss the rumor or the events surrounding it.
Don't let these things bother you, but keep your head held high. Once you have addressed the rumor, there is not much you can do except to continue living life as you were. It may take time and patience, but eventually people will have moved onto another source of gossip.
Part 2. Communicate about what is going on. Rumors can spread if someone is very secretive about their life or isn't in constant communication with others. You don't have to tell everyone you meet what is going on in your life, but to prevent rumors it can be helpful to tell some people how you are doing and what is happening. Then, when a rumor gets spread it may be harder to believe because people know what is truly happening in your life.
Keep them up to date on your life and ask them about theirs. When someone begins to pull away from people and becomes distant, rumors can be spread more easily. People can get upset if they feel like someone isn't putting in the effort to spend time with them and they can create rumors just from that.
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