Gossip zones! What’s that?

Gossiping is something that everyone indulges in. Lets accept that. Yes there are various levels of involvement in an activity like that. Somebody may be too much into it, while someone else may do it occasionally. The fact remains that no one can claim to not indulge in it.

So is it OK then that some companies are coming up with gossip zones?

The realization that gossiping is unstoppable is appreciated. However the concept of a gossip zone doesn’t quite make sense. People anywhere have their views & want to express them. Like wise in office, people may see two colleagues walk hand in hand and that may become a talking point. So with the concept of gossip zones are we expecting them to go to the gossip zone & only then discuss it? Sounds ridiculous.

Gossiping today is a casual anytime anywhere thing. That way it remains a simple past time and a stress buster even. By having designated gossip zones, we are taking away the very spirit of gossip. We are making it more of a formal meeting ground. May be that is the objective, to cut nonsense talks & utilize that same time in discussing something else in a more concrete manner.

May be on a more practical basis, these gossip zones will be clubbed with the smoking areas in the office or may be even the cafeteria. It is unlikely companies will have separate areas only for gossiping. Considering the space crunch that most of our modern day offices have, providing space for a gossip zone is probably the last thing they may want to deal with. That said the very concept of creation of gossip zones is nothing but gossip topic in itself. If I were in that company I would ask…

Why are they doing this? Will they have spy cameras & voice recording instruments in that room so that they can record what we are discussing & then take us to task later on or may be use it against us in our appraisal? I thought gossiping was a bad habit, why is our company encouraging it? Is our company headed for a close or something? Are there some big issues with the HR Manager (or whoever initiated the concept of gossip zones in the company) & the top management?

What do you say? Do you know something?

“Yeah I heard that they are doing this because…”

Happy Gossiping with or without Gossip Zones.