There's been a problem in my workplace of people who talk trash about their co-workers behind their backs. I know that there's always gossip in the workplace, but what disturbs me is that, in this case, the trash talk is being done by people who have clout against those that don't. Also, it's not just gossip - it's really nasty and disrespectful.
For example - I have a really, really kind co-worker, "x", whom I like quite a bit. We come from the same general area and background, so I feel like I understand him much more than some of the people around here. He keeps to himself for the most part, and I don't blame him. If you don't have a lot of power, you don't want to get too involved - emotionally or socially, lest you get burned.
Anyway, a co-worker who is good friends with my department head told me that some day, they're going to dig under x's house and find bodies buried underneath it because he's so "creepy". The only thing "creepy" about him is that he's quiet. I wouldn't doubt that this person is talking the same trash when she's at home smoking pot with the department head (who's a real fucker who wastes all kinds of money and blames it on the people under him).
The same department head makes nasty comments about people's disabilities behind their backs - in front of other co-workers. He also called a former co-worker who died a "bitch" and wouldn't shut up about how awful she was for about a year after she died.
I'm sick of the distrust this is creating. It's also really unprofessional and unbecoming of a manager, but I don't know what to do. Also, should people know about the crap that's being said about them?
Do you have any similar stories? What do you do about this stuff?
― Yeah, right, Thursday, 16 January 2003 15:33 (twenty-three years ago)
Do you work in The Office?
I work with geeks is what I do. We expect and accept weirdness, most of the time.
― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 16 January 2003 15:52 (twenty-three years ago)
The sorry thing is that there's absolutely nothing you *can* do. If it's coming from people above you in the management chain, all you can do is leave. Whilst you're there, saying something will not help you at all. It's like that, and that's the way it is. Huh.
― SittingPretty (sittingpretty), Thursday, 16 January 2003 15:58 (twenty-three years ago)
What was funny once is that I got to hear my boss trash talking about
me because I got there early and she didn't know I was in my cubicle. After I left that job I found out that nearly everyone who's ever worked with her thinks she a mean, incompetent old bat so it always kind of amused me instead of making me feel too bad.
― Nicole (Nicole), Thursday, 16 January 2003 16:00 (twenty-three years ago)
We all do it to each other's faces, much more fun.
― Matt (Matt), Thursday, 16 January 2003 16:01 (twenty-three years ago)
most of the trash talking i've encountered in the workplace has been quite good natured and competitive. mostly there have been pranks like redirecting a co-worker's personal website to a gay p0rn site or phoning up pretending to be an irate customer thereby causing a co-worker to crap his/her pants (metaphorically, usually). one time we held a co-worker down and gave him a nasty haircut with paper scissors because his mullet was too pronounced. mostly harmless stuff, really ... and at the end of the day everyone has a laugh about it.
that is definitely a really nasty situation and it seems that the main problem is the manager you identified. if he were gone do you think the corporate environment would improve?
― fields of salmon (fieldsofsalmon), Thursday, 16 January 2003 16:06 (twenty-three years ago)
five years pass...