Ryan FowlerA recent study has highlighted the damaging effects of workplace gossip on career progression within the hospitality industry. Conducted by researchers from the University of Birmingham Dubai and supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the study finds that negative gossip can significantly harm employees’ personal reputations and diminish their career growth opportunities.
Published in the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, this research is pioneering in its focus on the impact of negative gossip on career outcomes in hospitality. The study involved 379 hospitality workers in Guangzhou, analyzing how gossip influences their career trajectories and reputations.
Co-author Ahmed Shaalan from the University of Birmingham Dubai explains, “Negative workplace gossip hinders career growth by damaging people’s personal reputation. Employees highly concerned about their reputation are particularly vulnerable, experiencing lower personal reputation and diminished views of their promotion prospects when they are the subject of negative gossip.”
The research underscores the hospitality industry’s unique environment, characterised by frequent interactions, stable interpersonal circles, and high turnover rates, which can amplify the effects of gossip. The study calls for hospitality managers to mitigate these impacts by fostering a harmonious work environment, providing reputation-focused training, and supporting employees worried about their personal reputations.
Specific recommendations include introducing company policies against negative gossip, conducting training sessions focused on career and reputation management, and organizing collaborative activities to enhance familiarity and solidarity among employees.
“Organisations providing employees with training in workplace reputation and interpersonal skills will help them maintain a good reputation and build their potential for career growth,” Dr. Shaalan added. “It’s crucial for managers and organisations to protect employees concerned about their reputation from the adverse effects of workplace gossip and other reputation-damaging events.”
