Jo –

We don’t have a “gossip policy”, but as a part of our non-harassment policy, gossip is included in what could be considered verbal harassment. Here’s the wording:
Verbal harassment is much more than just the spoken word. It could include the following:
•unwelcome teasing
•offensive jokes or cartoons
•offensive e-mail
•offensive screen savers or desktop images
•offensive photographs or articles
•spreading rumors
•name calling
•stereotyping, or
•gossiping

quote:

Originally posted by Dan M.:
gossip is included in what could be considered verbal harassment .

Fair point and one to be taken seriously.

Thank you all for your responses, I'm sorry the article did not show up.

I thought this was a bit much to have a policy as such, but since it was mentioned in two articles I thought I must be missing something. I agree that open communication within the company is key to heading off the gossip and rumor problem.

JoC

Honestly, how would a policy like this be enforceable? Would the company plant a bug in the water cooler, bathroom stalls, etc? Seems to be a very strange policy indeed.

Really? have you worked in human resources much? No offense, but most people do NOT act like adults 100%, even 50%, of the time at the workplace. Millions of companies have instated Gossip Policies into their employee manuals