Reading between the lines (and one of the ABC reader comments), the fired women come across as unpleasant, stupid and incompetent people.  Exactly the types who would see someone younger than them get promoted, then conclude that it could only have been a case of hanky-panky.  So they start some rumors about the new girl, keep it going up until people start wonder why exactly they're being kept around, and they get dropped.  Yeah, I bet that gossip session only lasted one lunch break and didn't extend into the office.  That sure sounds a lot like the gossip I've seen in places I've worked.  But hey, let's go to the AP story for another view...

"I really don't think it's fair," Burbank, 61, said between bites of french fries. "We all know everybody gossips about their bosses."

Thanks for that imagery, nameless AP reporter!

(is 3fingerspointback)

There was an excellent point made by uncarved block in the subqueue regarding the poll I threw together on this sub.  He suggested adding another choice to the poll:

I think gossiping is wrong, but have done it because sometimes it's the only way to find out what's really going on at work.

Which is an apt question I hadn't thought of when I put together the poll.  I'm wondering if there might be any way of allowing for some sort of community edit to a poll?  Not to allow the ability to remove a question but rather giving everyone a single chance to add a question?  Or are polls a waste of time?

I know there are times when I get done a write up and, frankly, I just have run out of the steam necessary to whipping up a good poll.  Usually, I'll just drop it and submit the write up.  But, I'm wondering if enough people at TnT really care all that much about the polls or would they be made more interesting if it were possible for more members of the community to construct a poll?

Following all that, what's your feeling about uncarved block's most excellent poll choice.      

Illegitimi non carborundum.

If the gossip in the office is related to work and working conditions, I think it is fair game.  If there are rumors that someone will get a raise and be your new boss, or if there are rumors of lay offs or some organizational change, or massive changes in your work, you should be free to gossip about it.  

BUT, when you start gossiping about a co-worker's personal life, spreading rumors and things, you should consider that you should be fired for this type of action.  Depending on the damage done, if it is minimal, then a warning, but if it is something like "he's cheating on his wife" or "he's sleeping with his secretary" yeah that gossiper deserves to be fired.  

"Gossip, whispering, and an unfriendly environment are causing poor morale and interfering with the efficient performance of town business."

I'm a fan of at-will employment. If you want someone to no longer work for you, then you fire them. No muss, no fuss. However when you walk down the path of creating rationale and guidelines (especially in government) for employee termination, then you get your classic slippery slope.

The first thing I thought of when reading this story is that the gossip in question qualified as sexual harassment. You might think I'm kidding, but sexual harassment laws are VERY broad and here is whats key: had the town not taken action, then the guy/girl being gossipped about could have held them liable after he complained.

Just talking about someones physical appearance ("Ms Sue has nice tits") qualifies.

note (taken from the EEOC):

The harasser may be completely unaware that his or her behavior is offensive or constitutes sexual harassment or may be completely unaware that his or her actions could be unlawful.

And finally (and most compelling taken from Wikipedia when describing categories of sexual harassers):

One-of-the-Gang Often motivated by bravado or competition, or because the harasser(s) think it is funny (AAUW 2006), One-of-the-gang harassment occurs when groups of men or women embarrass others with lewd comments, physical evaluations, or other unwanted sexual attention. Harassers may act individually in order to belong or impress the others, or groups may gang up on a particular target. An extreme example is Tailhook '91 during which participants sexually abused seven men and 83 women as part of a three-day aviator convention.[12]

I don't know if these women were actually guilty of violating sexual harassment laws, or even the town's code of conduct -- but it seems likely.

Which should make you think about what you say to people at work eh?

Memory is a strange bell, jubilee and knell.

I love to gossip, I'm ashamed to admit.
I love our story polls, I'm not ashamed a bit.

----- The earth may fail, but we will quiver