Journal Article

The poison grapevine: How destructive are gossip and rumor in the workplace?

Jones, Merrill A., Baker, Jane S.

1996

Overview

The dysfunctional system, at home or at work, is governed by a characteristic set of rules that are unspoken but clearly understood by everyone. The first and most obvious rule is to maintain the status quo. Two other characteristics of the dysfunctional system are lack of trust and lack of closure. Stressful situations prompt dysfunctional behavior in the workplace. To maintain the status quo through control, power, and security, dysfunctional bosses often engage in gossiping and backbiting. Although individuals from dysfunctional family systems come into the workplace with unhealthy ways of communicating, there are measures that organizations may take to avoid being trapped in unhealthy relationships. Enabling need-based behavior will decrease the need to rely on the grapevine as a primary source of information and strengthen horizontal and vertical communication within the organization.

• Publisher: Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company,Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Subject: Gossip / Occupational psychology / Organizational Behavior / Rumors / Studies / Work environment / Workplaces