Is gossiping injurious to health?

Disgruntled people tend to spread rumours
I don’t agree that those indulging in chitchat, gossip or small talk can leave you with a miserable feeling. Moreover, the study was conducted over a period of only four days, which is not enough for anyone to reach such a conclusion. Moreover the point they have mentioned that well-being is directly related to indulging less in such small trivial talk and more in deep and meaningful conversation is not convincing.

However there is a very obvious observation, that if some body is happy the individual will always engage in meaningful discussion and respond very positively. But a person who is unhappy will communicate less. Mostly people who indulge in trivial talks are basically not happy with their work. Recently a report was published which said that people work for only three hours in their eight hour shifts. One who enjoys work gives the best to the job and is happy too.
Narendra Kinger, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist

Create forum for staff to air grievances and issues
I don’t agree with the findings of the psychologists who say that people who indulge in gossip or trivial talk are unhappy, especially in the office environment. Employees are happy, if we give them freedom in their work space and create a comfortable environment to open up with their problems with colleagues and seniors. I don’t think people hang around in office till late just to get gossip about colleagues.

They stay because they like their colleagues and office environment. Instead of being sceptical, we need to trust them and understand that they are human beings and if we give them respect and trust them they will feel at home. We have seen that if we trust them they will do their job with responsibility and dedication. They know what the requirement of the company is and what they need to do. It is also true, that everyone cannot be happy but, the reason for their anguish can be their personal problems. But linking happiness or sorrow with chitchat  is not correct.   
Pankaj Jain, director HR, Orient Technologies Pvt Ltd

Personnel department must focus on team building
It is said great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and small minds discuss people. The thing about gossip is that we all know it’s wrong but we can’t stop gossiping. If HR personnel try to deter people from hanging around till late and gossiping, then they may continue doing their activities outside office at pubs and restaurants. They will continue to slander those they dislike. If the management takes a strong stand on this practice, employees will feel that their rights are being taken away. HR should focus on team building activities so that mutual misunderstanding is reduced and employees start treating all colleagues as friends.                
Anjali Kirpalani, marketing executive

Managements powerless again such buzz
Idle gossip in office makes me feel miserable at times. Sometimes I feel that everything is going against me and people are trying to block my growth path. Office gossip can hurt people and it can even damage our career, this is possible even if the buzz about a person is fact or fiction. Worse, it can last a lifetime. It’s not possible for the management to intervene, all the time, and keep track of such chatter and rumours going around in the company. It’s not easy but some process can be established and put into practice so that we can at least try to raise motivation levels.   
Pritam Hait, associate consultant

Networking sites amplify gossip mongering
I agree with this study. Mindless chitchat may seem just a way to refresh and strike a conversation with colleagues, but I think it affects the day-to-day functioning and people might keep pondering over the frivolous talk even after the discussion has ended. Also, it’s not just gossip, but people also indulge in backbiting and rumour mongering. All the banter during lunch hours or over a coffee break don’t just end there. With a plethora of networking sites available, people pass on the gossip and it finds an outlet in cyberspace. Small chitchat and discussions is acceptable during a break, but otherwise gossip affects people’s moods and productivity.    
Pooja Kadge, admin executive

Natter can reduce office stress
Sometimes people indulge in small talk in office. But I don't think it is troublesome to our mental state and has anything to do with our happiness. Sometimes due to work pressure and frustration people chat with colleagues and share their problems. But it helps in reducing any kind of tension or frustration. I have hardly seen that people sit late just merely to gossip. Happiness and sorrow are a part of life. If an HR manager conducts motivational programmes, competitive rivalry will decrease and work efficiency will grow.      
Sandeep Nalawade, events coordinator

People must develop other interests
Gossip is like folklore, which gets passed along in different versions, spreading false rumours and tarnishing people’s reputations. It’s a cheap yet entertaining way of whiling away time, however many a times it can become counterproductive. Since work timings have increased, employees have to put in long hours in office. But most of the times, I think, it is gossip sessions that make people spend a long time in office. People have a vicarious interest in knowing about the love interest of office mates. Management cannot do anything about it, since it is a matter of personal choice.    
Nilanjana Dey, PR executive

Hearsay may return to haunt originator
Indulging in small talk can leave one feeling miserable. I think the reason behind it could be that after bad mouthing someone, realisation dawns upon us that the small talk can get back to the person. In a majority of cases, people don’t stay back to gossip but in a few cases, it may be true. As blether becomes a part of one’s lifestyle it might affect the person’s way of functioning as well. Idle chitchat normally arises when two people want to reduce their burden. The management should have other amenities to reduce stress. Employees should be given personal social space because man is a social animal and needs to interact with others. Jesal Gohi, management trainee