|
The Impact of Gossip on My Career |
 |
 |
|
Written by Rabbi Irwin Katsoff
|
The Impact of Gossip on My Career
I was 23 and two years out of college and up for a promotion at work. On a firm "golf day" one of the partners - "X" - made several very public passes at me. I thought I handled the humiliation fairly graciously.
The next week in the hall several men made passing comments - comments alluding to my complicity with those advances. That same week my expected promotion was rejected.
I appealed to the managing partner and he simply told me a story of how "X" had created a similar situation in another city and the firm had transferred him to mine. I was told that I was more expendable than "X." It was all because of the rumors that I had slept with this man! The firm wanted to be sure I wasn't sleeping my way to the top. No one bothered to ask me to confirm or deny the gossip. My salary and my career track both suffered. Though several female partners rallied around me, I left the firm in less than a year.
"X" rose to managing partner and still heads the firm 20 years later. He makes generous donations to non-profits with which I am associated, though we have never spoken since. A few words changed my entire post collegiate plan.
|
 |
A Loaded Gun...
If you analyze this true story carefully, you'll see that while "X" is the miscreant guilty of sexual harassment, Jennifer's career was not derailed by "X" but rather by the gossip her fellow employees spoke about her and "X."
- "It was all because of the rumors..."
- "A few words changed my entire post collegiate plan."
What is so sad about this story - and millions like it - is that the people who spoke the gossip which sabotaged Jennifer's promotion were probably good, decent people who liked Jennifer and meant her no harm.
Next time you're chatting at work, and about to repeat a negative comment or joke about a fellow employee, STOP AND REMEMBER THAT YOU'RE HANDLING A LOADED GUN.
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Subscribe
