Strategic HR Lawyer

Years ago, the water cooler or the company break room/cafeteria was the place their employees got their information - typically in the form of gossip.  Now, with the proliferation of technology in the workplace - through instant messaging, PDA's cell phones, email, etc. - workplace gossip has the capability of traveling more furiously and faster. This article claims that employees get their dirt from:

• the office break room (36%),
  
• at a co-worker's desk, workstation or office (33%),
  
• through e-mail or instant messaging (10%).
  
• only 1% of employees say they head to the water cooler to learn what's really going on.

Now, perhaps some employers have become cheap and eliminated some of the water coolers, but in any event, it highlights the need for employers to monitor communication, clarify the rumor mills, and ensure that its own communication is clear and widespread.