Jezebel 
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New York, 4:33 AM
Tue Dec 15
67 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/03/09
Our principal is terrible. She has very little leadership skills, she speaks to us like we are children, and she screams all the time. We gossip about about her constantly, but it's not "gossip" (though she did drunk dial our school secretary once and we did talk about that a lot) . We talk about how her incompetence and lack of leadership skills are hurting our school, creating an environment of negativity, and helping to drag down our scores. We talk about how she plays favorites and is inconsistent with procedures. We talk about how she tries to make us hate each other and tear down good professional relationships which takes away from a feeling of community in our school.
It all came to a head today. We're finally realizing that we are all mad as hell and we aren't going to take it anymore. It helped us come together as a staff, which is something that she had been trying to tear down for the last few years. I think we really came together today, and it was through "gossip". #gossip
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Also, if you're a boss and you're employees gossip but do well (i.e. good test scores for those teachers) let it go. It may mean they fear you, which might be a good thing. People in power are often listened to but rarely liked. In a phrase, you're not here to make friends. #gossip
11/03/09
I do agree that some gossip is good, because it's bonding. I'm at a company now where there doesn't seem to be much gossip - or else I'm just blissfully not involved in it. Which is both helpful and harmful. #gossip
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On the upside, as you say, we are never, ever short of good gossip material! #gossip
11/03/09
Currently my volunteer job - completely separate from my paid job - is abuzz with gossip about two people having an affair. It's both scintillating in an "I can't believe it! Them?!" way and irritating, in that I feel one of the people involved has gotten special benefits from it and I have to work with that person for the next several months with a big fake smile on my face. It won't keep me from doing my job but it may keep me from doing it with as much enthusiasm. #gossip
11/03/09
I work in a charity, made mostly of women, almost all of whom are white, upper-middle class, and middle aged. My co-workers care significantly less for the good work they're supposed to be doing than who said what about whom, and who bought what, and what the queen of the office will think, etc. etc. etc. It's enough to justify my lunchtime cocktails. Gossip is poison, and makes it almost impossible for me (and the few others like me) to work effectively, which may or may not be why I'm on Jezebel at 2 in the afternoon rather than doing my job. #gossip
11/03/09
Stay away. Better still: Duct tape your mouth and ears for plausible deniability. #gossip
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Where's my yogurt? #gossip
11/03/09
I've never actually heard people whispering in the corner about what a great person/worker someone is. I rarely hear it spoken out loud. And when i do usually people nod and agree and the conversation ends in less than 45 seconds. There is never a comprehensive deskside analysis of why and how someone is awesome and productive.
Now, if someone is massively incompetent or lazy?- that conversation can kill the whole day. Ironically bringing all work to a complete standstill. #gossip
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"If people are talking positively it can be a way to enhance someone's reputation."
Yes, it'd be great if that happened more often. Sadly, I don't have too many people running up to my desk whispering "zomg, Rachel did so. well. in that meeting!"
I have a rule with myself where if I don't like someone, if their name comes up in conversation with coworkers I try and say something positive about them. #gossip
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It's only a problem if someone else walks by. #gossip
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Honestly, I like gossiping about managers we hate because without it I'd feel completely alone in my hate and disgust for them and panic that it was me not them. And when I get passed over for promotion for shitty reasons it's nice to hear stories of it happening to others as well and knowing I'm not the only one they're screwing over with hours or opportunities. #gossip