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I
am a new manager for a small company of less than ten people. You have said in
some of your other Q&As that rumors cannot be stopped. However can they be
controlled with corrective measures or is there nothing that can be done to stop
this childishness?
In one particular recent case, a rumor managed to make it around a circle of acquaintances and finally to my wife causing us problems at home. It originated in the workplace. Bottom line, I would like to mandate that such behavior is grounds for discipline or termination. This behavior is destructive to the necessary team spirit. It can make the workplace hostile. It should be illegal.
For this immediate situation, I intend to send a verbal signal of indifference back in the other direction. I figure if I can remove the reaction from the result it may dissuade interest in continuing such rumor mongering. How can we mandate spreading rumors as against corporate policy? I think it should be terminable behavior.
Signed,
Rumored Out
Dear RO:
If you're the boss, you can make the "no vicious rumors" rule, and then try to enforce it. We expect that your "ignore them" posture will be more effective, especially if coupled with a sense of humor.
Creating such a rule with termination as the end result will pose several problems. First, since rumors are so fleeting and pervasive, how will you identify the originator with certainty? Second, once the rumor has been spread, will you terminate everyone down the line who communicated it. Your staff of less than ten might end up being less than two (at least there will be no more rumors if you are working solo).
One way to squelch rumors is to discount them by refusing to listen. This is a skill you could teach your wife should you two decide not to let rumors affect your home life. In the future she could say, "I'm sorry I do not want to hear rumors about my husband at work. If you have a legitimate concern, perhaps we could both go ask him about the situation." That should take care of it. Coming to the point of dissention at home due to a rumor gives the rumors power and that is the opposite of what you are trying to accomplish.
Have you read the Southwest Airlines story titled Nuts by Kevin and Jackie Freiberg? Drink in the spirit described in Nuts and the rumors that will spread will be gracious rather than vicious.
Getting to WEGO engages a workplace in finding fun on the job. Your feedback is welcome.
Bill Gorden & Dan West