Key takeaways
- People may gossip at work to harness a sense of control amidst layoffs and uncertainty at the office.
- When engaging in gossip and feeling a sense of closeness, the brain releases dopamine or the feel-good chemical.
- Gossip could be constructive if someone will offer you advice, or benefit from the information, but it you're craving closeness, you can achieve that in other ways.
Your ears perk up as you lean in a little closer for that piping hot tea—your workday just got a bit more exciting. Hearing gossip from a coworker who whispers between the cubicles—or sends you a DM—can feel exciting.
