On the Job

Every office seems to have a gossip to contend with, but how?

QI have a co-worker who constantly gossips about other people in our office, then turns around and acts like their friend. The problem is that I've got to work with this person on various projects, but I find it hard to take him seriously because of his childish ways. What should I do?

ASandra A. Crowe, a Rockville workplace consultant to corporations and government agencies, said this worker, as much as possible, "is going to have to compartmentalize his dealings" with the gossiping co-worker.

Crowe, author of a workplace relations book called "Since Strangling Isn't an Option," said of the offending co-worker: "Just because he's a gossip does not mean that he is not capable of doing" competent work.

She said that the worker ought to focus on the gossip's professional traits, divide up the work as best as can be done and probably otherwise limit his contact with the gossip.

But should the worker voice his objections to the gossip about his offending behavior?

"The only time you want to speak on this is when it might have some impact," Crowe said. "If you just mention the gossiping and this guy denies it, then you've got another problem. But, say if you witnessed something that morning, you can say, 'I found that offensive.' You've got to be incredibly specific," so the gossip will realize how his behavior was perceived.

-- Kenneth Bredemeier

E-mail your workplace questions to Kenneth Bredemeier at bredemeier@washpost.com. Discuss workplace issues with him Wednesday at 11 a.m. at www.washingtonpost.com/liveonline.