New research in the Journal of Business Ethics finds that talking behind your boss's back can serve as a "bonding activity," but it also has drawbacks
"That meeting was a total waste of our time! And can you believe what that jerk said about raises?"
From whispers in the hallway, to emoji-filled group texts and profanity-laced DMs, gossiping about the boss takes many forms. And while it's generally considered toxic workplace behavior, new research published in this month's edition of the Journal of Business Ethics reveals that it's far more nuanced-and sometimes even beneficial.
"Even when it goes against our better judgment, we all seem to gossip about our bosses from time to time," said Rebecca Greenbaum, a Professor of Human Resource Management in the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations and one of the study's authors. "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."
Greenbaum worked with lead author Julena Bonner (Utah State University) and colleagues Marcus Butts (Southern Methodist University) and Gary Thurgood (Utah State University) to survey 202 office workers in a wide range of industries. They sent questions twice daily for 10 days to learn if the workers had gossiped about the boss and how they felt and acted afterward.
The researchers then repeated the survey with 111 additional office workers. This time, they also surveyed the participants' colleagues to see if other people were noticing behavioral changes after a gossip session. The findings were remarkably consistent.
The study revealed that the workers tended to avoid their bosses after gossiping about them, typically out of guilt, shame, or fear of being called out: a negative outcome that could harm productivity.
But there was also an upside: the workers felt a greater sense of belonging among their colleagues after gossiping about the boss, leading them to be more collaborative that day.
In other words, talking behind the boss's back served as a "bonding activity."
"This study helps us to understand how gossip affects our emotions and subsequent relational behaviors at work," said Julena Bonner, Associate Professor of Management at Utah State University and the study's lead author. "If we talk bad about our bosses, our guilt and shame may keep us from proactively working with them on a timely project. But that same gossip can make us feel bonded, increasing team cooperation that could aid in other important tasks."
The study finds that the impact is especially strong if the boss is emotionally or verbally abusive. Bonner and Greenbaum explained that abusive bosses are a "common enemy," which enhances the bonding aspect of gossiping and the workers' willingness to support one another.
Although the study uncovered not just drawbacks, but also surprising benefits to venting about the boss, the researchers caution that they are not advocating for gossip. Rather, they are illuminating a potential benefit.
"We aren't suggesting that gossip is the only way or the best way for employees to bond and connect with one another, nor are we recommending that we gossip about abusive bosses for social support," Greenbaum said. "The more important point is to understand that gossip and our emotions play into our need for social survival. Sometimes we protect ourselves from our own bad behaviors, like gossip, by avoiding those we may have hurt. Other times we gossip because we need to feel closer to people who 'get' our experiences."
