Gossiping about the boss is good for you, study reveals

"Even when it goes against our better judgment, we all seem to gossip about our bosses from time to time. We often tell ourselves, 'I shouldn't be doing this,' but it also feels really good. This research unpacks why gossip gives us mixed emotions and how it can affect the rest of our workday."

"After gossiping about their boss, workers tended to feel guilt, shame and fear. However, they also reported a greater sense of belonging - leading to them being more collaborative that day."

Rutgers University researchers surveyed office workers to understand the effects of gossiping about their bosses. Participants reported experiencing guilt, shame, and fear after engaging in workplace gossip. Paradoxically, gossiping also functioned as a bonding activity that increased feelings of belonging and collaboration among colleagues. Two experiments involving over 300 workers revealed consistent findings: while gossip triggered negative emotions, it simultaneously strengthened workplace relationships and improved collaborative behavior. The research demonstrates that workplace gossip produces conflicting psychological outcomes, combining moral discomfort with social connection benefits.

Read at Mail Online