ShopinJA Classifieds

Everyone knows we are living in challenging economic and political times.  As people get more insecure about their own employment, expect certain bad behaviors to flourish in the workplace.  One bad behavior to watch for in unstable work environments is rumor mongering. 

Let's face it, we all enjoy it when a good water cooler conversation breaks up daily routine.  However, when the conversation moves away from local politics, the last play you saw or how the World Cup trials are going, to talking about co-workers, it is time for you to step away.

I am not suggesting that there is no value in a company rumor mill. In fact it is one way to stay tuned to your company's pulse, especially in an unstable economy.

However, watch for toxic people at work who want to name you as a partner in their crime. You know these people; always happy to say what they heard or saw and willing to drop names about what someone said. Make no mistake about it, they will be the first to embellish on what you say, even if you said nothing.   

Here are some tips to manage workplace rumor mongering this year:

1. Be careful...about your sources and what you repeat.
2. Be elusive...and avoid being alone with people who always want to snare others into their, "Did you hear about..." trap.
3. Be selective...about what you believe and repeat.
4. Be honest...and let people know that you would really prefer to just not talk about other people.
5. Be adept...at changing the conversation.

Before you involve yourself in the workplace grapevine, remember it could be your career that gets burned.

Career advice is courtesy of Marcia Franklin-Robinson's career blogs at BullsEyeResumes (http://bullseyeresumes.blogspot.com)