Page 106 - Anne Bruce - Building A HIgh Morale Workplace (2002)

86 Building a High Morale Workplace

Rumors: Step in or Stay out?
When is a rumor serious enough that you should inter-
vene? When is it just a bit of harmless gossip that you can
safely ignore? Let’s consider two examples.
You hear through the grapevine that Matt is interviewing for a posi-
tion with Company X.That rumor probably has some merit and you
can decide whether or not it’s worth approaching Matt about it. It’s
relevant only if you want it to be. It directly involves just Matt and you;
the other employees are merely interested bystanders.
Downsizing is a real possibility in your department, but there are
no decisions yet and no specific plans. If rumors are running rampant
that half of your employees are going to lose their jobs without sever-
ance pay or even two weeks’ notice, then you can expect pandemoni-
um and panic, which threatens morale.That’s a rumor mill any manag-
er needs to stop immediately.

ply bring them up at a meeting and put them to rest. But when
there are specific perpetrators and/or specific victims, you

should take action immediately and prudently. If a manager
doesn’t act to dispel rumors, employees victimized by the
rumors may take legal action.
Start using some of the following techniques when putting

the kibosh on harmful rumors.

Manager’s Toolkit

• In virtually every organization, people want to know
what’s going on. If they don’t get the information they
want from management soon enough, they will find other
means (usually rumors) to do so. So get information to
your employees fast and frequently.

• As a manager, you will more than likely be removed from
the rumor mill. This makes it all the more important for
you to keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground at
all times. Don’t be the last to know.

• Take the initiative. Ask your employees what they want to
know and then tell them before any rumors start.
• Minimize the damage. Go to your employees first before
going to outside sources to verify information they’ve