According to Farley, S. D., Timme, D. R., & Hart, J. W., gossip at the workplace should not be dismissed as idle talk but can be used to communicate certain information, enhance perceptions of esteem, power, or status, and also to enforce group norms. This article gives another perspective on gossip and that it should not just be taken in the negative light but can also be used to develop and enhance social working relationships. Gossip can also be used to develop and maintain social relationships by looking at the way gossipers are perceived by the rest of the workers.

 ÇAĞLAR, Ç., UĞURLU, C. T., & GÜNEŞ, H. (2013). TEACHERS’ VIEWS CONCERNING THE FUNCTION OF GOSSIPS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

In this journal article, the authors feel that there are various discourses that come up in an organization in form of gossip and that cannot be evaded as they are as a result of the interaction. Teachers in schools gossip with the administration, fellow staff members as well as the students. The authors feel that although the word gossip gives a negative connotation, it can have positive effects as the persons concerned can align their ways in a way that all will be comfortable. Gossip can have negative and positive effects. It is through gossip that teachers identify the weaknesses of a student and thus come up with a way of assisting the student. This journal article is relevant to my research as it gives an insight into the reason the teachers gossip in their room.

 Luna, A., & Shih Yung, C. (2013). DRIVERS FOR WORKPLACE GOSSIP: AN APPLICATION OF THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR.

According to Luna, even though people feel that it is irrational to communicate at work in informal ways, in the current work set up due to human interactions is inevitable. Even though it is inevitable, it could injure the morale of the colleague or person forming the subject of the gossip, or create mistrust among colleagues. This is detrimental to the organization. According to Luna, the source of the information mainly spreads gossip to get the attention of other people and enhance their self-image. In the school set up, it is often a person in a lower position gossiping a person in a lower position so as to feel good about themselves and try to show that the other person is incompetent. Only positive gossip would work to boost one’s reputation.