gossip at work

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 16, 2012

first of all, gossiping has been in the workforce since the dark ages, undoubtedly, one has to consider the source who's spreading the nasty rumors. therefore, if you choose not to gossip you don't have to worry about someone betraying your confidence, and telling other people what you said. having said that, be aware that you're judge by the company you keep. in addition, here's a tip i learned long ago, never offer anyone ammunition that they could use against you in the future.

fiveofpeep · Apr 16, 2012

My new unit is like this too. I feel like every time I turn around, they're gossiping. It drives me crazy. It makes me feel really isolated and paranoid. I just keep to myself and don't socialize with anyone if I can help it, but it sure makes the hours drag by.

kizeemimi · Apr 16, 2012

That's why I LOVE floating! Im a hopital PCA (nurse-to-be-in-2-years,) and I float to whatever unit needs me. I go everywhere just enough to get to know everyone but not enough to be involved in the politics of that unit. Everyone's always nice to me and appriciative of my help but they don't include me in their drama. I do not miss that!

anotherone, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2012

I try to stay out of it and ignore it. It goes on in every single workplace i have been a part of, if it is worse in nursing it is because we are there so many hours and it is very stressful. I think that makes it worse than when I worked with a bunch of other part timers in an office setting doing super easy work. Unless it is professionaly damaging or affecting patient care i would never get involved. because i have seen nurse A slam nurse b to nurse C and the next day all three are friends ganging up on someone else etc.

Morainey, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2012

*** is wrong with people. I have a friend who will say the most vicious things about someone and then be so sweet to their face. I'm sure you already are, but watch your back! Don't give anybody anything to go on. :hug:

DoGoodThenGo · Apr 16, 2012

i work on a small rehab unit and the gossip and back biting is horrible... i actually heard the charge nurse say something insulting and nasty about me to a CNA...... it's just to much for me....... . i am not use to this and am upset by the nasty comments and trash talk by co wokers...... and the people i would have to complain about this are the ones starting some of the trouble... i saw the charge nurse actually upset a CNA about another CNA and he was telling her .." he knew she got upset everytime this cna was mentioned." i told them to knock off ... i just want to know how this is handled in your hospital .. it is just tiring ..... after i heard that nasty comment i overheard about me from the charge nurse was so upsetting i haven't spoken to anyone inless i am forced to .... thank you for listening to me vent ...

I've worked in many "pink ghetto" jobs and am here to tell you that wherever you find a pack of females, you'll have gossip and such. Its just some women's tough luck they weren't born deaf and dumb.

Now you take a tip from me, keep out of other women's troubles. I've never had a fight with a girlfriend/female co-worker in my life. And why? I see no evil, I speak no evil and I hear no evil.

As for the nasty remarks behind your back, you've got two choices, one of them is to simply quit. Usually running to a supervisor or management smacks of "the other girls are being mean to me..." and rarely gets results. Personally being a rather "old school" type of person I'd say it's time to break out a jar of Vaseline, your trainers and a stocking cap but hospitals tend to look down on afterschool brawls in the parking lot! *LOL*

If the nonesense does continue however you could have a very good case of your co-workers creating a hostile work environment. Consult a good attorney on how that would play out in your area, but usually when employers get things put into such words they will act. Again however the problem may be removing you from the facility (termination). However if that is done after complaints about co-workers it could also bring up a retaliation lawsuit.

Depending upon how badly you seek resolution the best thing would be to request a sit down with managment and or the employee(s) in question. You could have it out face to face with her/him but that could get you into trouble and lead to your being fired. Better to have everything down in writing by a supervisior.

Finally would suggest not every place is like the one you are working. If things are bad either request a transfer or start looking elsewhere.

Best of luck

DGTG

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 16, 2012

first of all, gossiping has been in the workforce since the dark ages, undoubtedly, one has to consider the source who's spreading the nasty rumors. therefore, if you choose not to gossip you don't have to worry about someone betraying your confidence, and telling other people what you said. having said that, be aware that you're judge by the company you keep. in addition, here's a tip i learned long ago, never offer anyone ammunition that they could use against you in the future.

if only this worked 100%, sometimes if you don't share, they just make it up.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 16, 2012

if only this worked 100%, sometimes if you don't share, they just make it up.

on that note, no matter where you go you will always encounter the dreaded gossip, that's when i take the attitude before i leave a room and say "remember i'm like the onion the more you peel the more skin i got, so go for it" :cool:

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2012

This situation happens too often, of course.

I tried to change this particular negative behavior when I went from day charge nurse to afternoon charge.

That nasty group of people gathered a pack of lies.. took it above my managers head (who knew better). Got me relieved of my charge duties

In other words... lateral violence.

Negative attitudes CANNOT be changed. You can ignore it or leave.

I would leave.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 16, 2012

Unfortunately, this happens at a lot of work places, if not all! I know it's hard, but just try not to let it get to you and don't give into the gossip. And watch your back. I try to keep to myself while I'm at work. :hug:

caliotter3 · Apr 16, 2012

Given good advice. Ignore it, don't engage in that type of behavior yourself, watch your back. If it gets intolerable, find another job. You aren't going to change the modus operandi of that workplace, especially since supervisors are part of the problem.