• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Pet Peeve: The office gossip who doesn't know she's a gossip

S

swbsam

Platinum Member
Does anyone really despise that person who's in a position of knowing a lot due to their low-level job and abundance of free time (a secretary, etc.), who willingly just gives out information that you don't really want shared?

Our department's secretary sits right near our front door and we need to call her in case we're sick or if there's an emergency. Everyone also walks past her on the way in every morning, and she constantly talks about office mates to other people, casually behind that person's back.

For example (to someone else, but within ear shot of me):
None of these conversations are business related, i.e. to management to inform someone of crucial information

"Yeah, it's awful out there. Sam (me) came in an hour late, covered in snow!"

or "You know, Judy's out sick today. She sounded awful on the phone, she said she was puking everywhere and had awful diarrhea too."

Even

"Sam had stew for lunch today - it smelled so good!"

Is that even professional?!? Or am I being too anal? I really don't want people other than my boss to know that I was out with the stomach flu or came in an hour late.. Grr!
 
I have a few women in the office like that.

They key is to not make eye contact, and just respond with a oh or that's interesting (faking interest but that you are busy and need to get somewhere) and keep walking. Works great.
 
Originally posted by: Beev
Sounds like she's just bored or lonely.
Click to expand...

Yes, but I'm ok with her talking to ME about me coming in late (it'd talk about the traffic, the awful accident, etc.) but using my lateness as a conversation piece with other people - isn't that unprofessional?

Or sharing why people are out to people who it has nothing to do with - just today she talked about how a co-worker's out today for surgery. If I was out for surgery I wouldn't want anyone but my boss to know, know what I mean?
 
If I have to call in sick I just send an email directly to my boss. No need to involve other people in it.
 
I have a very similar person in my office, and she also seems to think it's a-ok to book all her disgusting medical procedures (sigmoidoscopy, stool samples, etc) and talk about them on the office phone while everyone pretends not to listen.
 
Originally posted by: ggnl
If I have to call in sick I just send an email directly to my boss. No need to involve other people in it.
Click to expand...

It's office policy, unfortunately.
 
I hope she says worse stuff because everything you mentioned is pretty innocent. It's not gossip until she's talking about who's dating who, etc...
 
Originally posted by: gorcorps
I hope she says worse stuff because everything you mentioned is pretty innocent. It's not gossip until she's talking about who's dating who, etc...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I don't really see the big deal.

OP: You do realize that making this thread was gossiping about her right?
 
Originally posted by: darkxshade
You know what else is unprofessional.. eavesdropping.
Click to expand...

Fk that. That's how I get most of my info around here.

And to the OP, "she" just stopped by. We are both temp workers in a matter of speaking. She was filling in for someone out on maternity leave or something and has been told her time is up next Friday.

Now her goal is to bug me about when I'm leaving and if I know when I'm getting let go. My goal is to keep working my butt off to stay here as long as possible, not join the pitty party and give up.
 
I have a shitload of gossip mongers. Then everyone comes to be for the truth. Why do they all think IT knows everything NON-IT???????
 
the crap you mentioned isn't even gossip. it's just small talk.

Sally Mae had stew. Joe had a snowy drive in. Jimmy is sick.

whipdy doo, get over yourself.
 
Is it weird to not want people to talk about your when you're not involved in the conversation, even if it's innocent? It's just no ones business, especially since I'm the odd one out and am a department of one (vs. everyone else being from a different department).
 
Originally posted by: swbsam
Is it weird to not want people to talk about your when you're not involved in the conversation, even if it's innocent? It's just no ones business, especially since I'm the odd one out and am a department of one (vs. everyone else being from a different department).
Click to expand...

You are mad because you can't control their conversations. I don't think that's especially healthy.
 
Originally posted by: NSFW
Originally posted by: swbsam
Is it weird to not want people to talk about your when you're not involved in the conversation, even if it's innocent? It's just no ones business, especially since I'm the odd one out and am a department of one (vs. everyone else being from a different department).
Click to expand...

You are mad because you can't control their conversations. I don't think that's especially healthy.
Click to expand...
that made me LMAO!!!!! :beer:
 
Originally posted by: gorcorps
I hope she says worse stuff because everything you mentioned is pretty innocent. It's not gossip until she's talking about who's dating who, etc...
Click to expand...

Thisaone.

Oh, no, he knows I'm sick? That's "gossip"?

I have worked as a low-level secretary/receptionist, and people told me everything. Since i'm a guy though, I didn't publicly relay every piece of information, and kept lots of stuff private.

But damn, everyone else at my first job, high and low levels told everyone everything. Somehow the entire building thought I was dating a co-worker from them (partially untrue); worst was finding out about this rumour from my mom cause she worked there and didn't like (more like hated) the person I was supposedly seeing.

While I worked there, I asked my mom everyday she came home from work for an "update". Everyone else was in on it, I may as well be. And the shit that went down there was hilarious thanks to incompetent management, unions and workers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top