Talking about gossip at work

Abstract

I explore some effects of vicarious exposure to gossip at work using a multi method multi study program of research. Three studies were conducted. The first was a semi structured interview study. The second study was a between and within multi factorial experiment using video vignettes. The third study was a longitudinal survey design which took place over three weeks and produced quantitative diary data. Results of the three studies show how the construct of gossip at work is more nuanced than expected. Study one uncovered themes concerning the contested definitions of gossip, aspects regarding the veracity of the gossip at work, and antecedents and consequences of gossip at work. Study two showed that vicarious exposure to gossip at work has effects on retributive intent, affective organizational commitment, and job satisfaction. Perceived veracity of the gossip at work is greater for firsthand content and positive gossip is understood of greater veracity and greater acceptability in the workplace environment. Retributive intent towards the organization is greater in cases where the gossip at work is negative in nature. Study three uncovered a significant interaction between personal and positive gossip when predicting affective organizational commitment. I also found an interaction between work and negative content gossip for job satisfaction. Job satisfaction was also significantly predicted based upon an interaction effect between personal and negative content of gossip at work. I also found a significant interaction between negative and personal content gossip predicting negative affect Finally, with negative affect as the outcome, there was a significantly interaction when the reported exposure to gossip at work is both work related and personal in nature. Being that gossip at work is both vilified and at the same time only lightly researched, practical implications and future research directions are offered.