How far should the gossip go?

[Jo Dirt]

I'm discovering a whole new world on the day shift at the long-term care facility where I work. We have a male in the female dominated office. One of the females is recently divorced and people say she's on the prowl again (though she is past her prime and I certainly don't see anything to go after.) Apparently, there are rumors going around that she is after this male employee (who happens to be married). A little gossip can be fun but this gossip does not seem harmless and I can see how jobs can be lost over stuff like this. The nurses (especially) like to dig in, and I hear comments all the time. The newly single woman was in his office and he came out and got a hand wipe and when he was out of earshot one of the nurses said I don't even want to know where his hands have been!

Not very nice and no, I don't participate. But when would it be appropriate to bring this up? I feel like someone should let them know people are talking. I personally have not seen any evidence of an affair. This woman is naturally one of the flirty types but like I said, any looks she ever had have long faded and there is a whole sea of pretty young ladies if anyone was looking to do that sort of thing...

[jschut, BSN, RN]

I would let it go in one ear and out the other.

Don't comment on it, don't even make a facial expression when others do. It's a trivial game... and you aren't going to be able to stop it. Give it time, it'll blow over when they find someone else to pick on and talk about.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

YES I agree...you can only control yourself...people will gossip...eventually IF there is nothing to gossip about it will settle down...focus on WHY you are there...YOU are there to earn a living and give good care

[lpnflorida]

Personally I believe any gossip stops with us. You hear it, say to the person you are not interested, nor do you believe they should be talking about someone other than themselves and their own situations, not about others.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Just don't participate.

[caliotter3]

Should you be the one to bring this up to the involved persons, you run the risk of incurring their hostility. Better to leave matters alone. When it comes to this type of gossip, it is highly unlikely that the people involved will remain clueless for very long. You have no obligation to point out the obvious to either of them.

[Pinkster]

There is always going to be someone or something to gossip about. I wouldn't get involved in any of it.

[NC Girl BSN]

Its not your responsibility to bring it up. I would stay away and let it be. It's not worth getting in the middle of it.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree. Stay out of it.

BTW: It's irrelevant as to whether you personally find the woman attractive or not. There is no need to repeatly denigrate her attractiveness just because she is a more mature woman.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Alerting either of them can start to cause a ruckous, maybe out of embarassment, to prove a point, or out of anger. Not worth it. They are grown. Even if they are intimate, as long as they are not exposing patients and staff to Mediaographic live shows, they can do (or not do) what they want.

[Jo Dirt]

It's irrelevant as to whether you personally find the woman attractive or not. There is no need to repeatly denigrate her attractiveness just because she is a more mature woman.

Well...it's the truth. It happens to everyone, so it isn't a personal attack, it was just one of the many points about why it's unlikely this employee would pursue this woman for an affair.

I'm going to stay out of it, but I don't like to hear these people talked about because I like them.

[lpnflorida]

I suppose beauty is only skin means nothing, or beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Some of the most beautiful people are not married or paired up with another beautiful person. Some are mature enough to be attracted to the person and their mind.

Just had to add that point. (off topic)