Co-workers?

Question

I am having a real problem latley with people around my work place talking bad about other people. These people are my friends and I really don't like what these people say. I snapped this morning and told them to "stop talking about people" but I don't think that was the rite way to handle that. Is there another way I can get my point across that I don't apprecite them talking about people like that and around me? I work in the office of a big plant and they are talking about others that I work with in a bad way, critisizing everything they do but always to me and not to them.

I am really looking for your help please.

Thank you for your response, the only problem with that is I am a receptionist and my desk is grand central station. I cannot leave my phone so walking away is not an option. I do agree with you and do not get in the gossip. Thank you!!

Answer 1

The next time you hear them talking about your friends, simply say please don't talk about my friends like that and walk away. Do not get caught up in the office gossip. All you can really do is to stay as far away from those people as possible and only interact with them when necessary. Only talk about work with them. They will see that they can't drag you into the mix. These people will find someone new to talk about soon.

Answer 2

If they are talking to you about everyone else, I'm sure they are talking to each other about you as well, as nice as you may be.

Target the biggest gossipers and Anonymously e-mail her to no end! Create a new e-mail account with her name on yahoo or something and send it to her work e-mail address all day with random messages. You could include links about gossip, what they actually gossiped about, they might get worried that what they said got back to the person; this may straighten out the problem a bit!

If not, it will drive her crazy having e-mails coming in to her from herself! Use the computers at your local library.