Town Fires Four Workers For Gossiping

[Kor37 9]

Town Fires Four Workers for Gossiping

ABC News

(May 22)—What happened in the town of Hooksett, N.H., is no rumor.

 

Four town employees with 46 years of service between them were fired, in part for gossiping and discussing rumors of an improper relationship between the town administrator and another employee that Hooksett residents now agree were not true.

 

The administrator complained, and after an investigation the town council fired the women, finding, "Gossip, whispering, and an unfriendly environment are causing poor morale and interfering with the efficient performance of town business."

 

"When I was given my termination papers, I just looked at the gentlemen that were present in the room and I said, 'You've got to be kidding!'" said fired worker Sandy Piper, who insisted her comments weren't out of line. "We discussed it on a lunch break, and then it ended."

 

"It kind of sort of was, 'Oh did you hear that too,'" said Michelle Bonsteel, Piper's fired co-worker.

 

Gossip is ingrained in American culture, from the elementary school playground to the office water cooler. But Tory Johnson, "Good Morning America's" workplace contributor, said people should be careful about what they say when they're on the clock.

 

"Free speech only goes so far," Johnson said. "An employer definitely has the right to defend his reputation."

 

In Hooksett the four firings are ironically now the talk of the town. But for the women out of work, the controversy is not a matter of idle chatter -- they want to get back to work.

 

"I did love my job. And do I want to return? Absolutely," Piper said.

 

Lawyers for the Town Council of Hooksett told ABC News they have "no comment" at this time, but there could be a decision this week on whether to reinstate some or all of the women.

 

 

 

What is happening in this country???

 

On the other hand, these four really look like busybodies......

 

http://cdn.news.aol.com/aolnews_photos/08/...522140109990020

[Gummy 0]

That will surely give everyone something to talk about.

[Theunicornhunter 2]

These ladies, the journalists etc don't seem to think there is anything wrong with gossip - IMO anybody that doesn't think gossip is a "bad" thing needs to rethink. It's funny that a person who considers him or her self honest would never think of stealing money from a person but wouldn't think twice about stealing that same person's good name, reputation, livelihood or even family by spreading a few rumors.

 

And here is the real irony - if you've listened to a group trashing somebody - you have to wonder why they think anyone would ever trust them or be their friend because you know they'd do the same to you the minute your back was turned.

Edited May 22, 2007 by TheUnicornHunter

[trekz 7]

Town Fires Four Workers for Gossiping

ABC News

(May 22)—What happened in the town of Hooksett, N.H., is no rumor.

 

Four town employees with 46 years of service between them were fired, in part for gossiping and discussing rumors of an improper relationship between the town administrator and another employee that Hooksett residents now agree were not true.

 

The administrator complained, and after an investigation the town council fired the women, finding, "Gossip, whispering, and an unfriendly environment are causing poor morale and interfering with the efficient performance of town business."

 

"When I was given my termination papers, I just looked at the gentlemen that were present in the room and I said, 'You've got to be kidding!'" said fired worker Sandy Piper, who insisted her comments weren't out of line. "We discussed it on a lunch break, and then it ended."

 

"It kind of sort of was, 'Oh did you hear that too,'" said Michelle Bonsteel, Piper's fired co-worker.

 

Gossip is ingrained in American culture, from the elementary school playground to the office water cooler. But Tory Johnson, "Good Morning America's" workplace contributor, said people should be careful about what they say when they're on the clock.

 

"Free speech only goes so far," Johnson said. "An employer definitely has the right to defend his reputation."

 

In Hooksett the four firings are ironically now the talk of the town. But for the women out of work, the controversy is not a matter of idle chatter -- they want to get back to work.

 

"I did love my job. And do I want to return? Absolutely," Piper said.

 

Lawyers for the Town Council of Hooksett told ABC News they have "no comment" at this time, but there could be a decision this week on whether to reinstate some or all of the women.

 

 

 

What is happening in this country???

 

On the other hand, these four really look like busybodies......

 

http://cdn.news.aol.com/aolnews_photos/08/...522140109990020

They do indeed look like chit-chat champs!

 

TUH is right too. Idle gossip can have devastating consequences AND waste time.

[youbroughtheryouRiker 2]

I find this funny because our boss caught one of the girls referring to him as... well, the censor would delete it out, but think of Denis Leary's famous song, or else fill in the David Allan Coe title: "You're An _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Tonight." He was good enough to refuse writing her up for it, but it was still hilarious.

 

(P.S. If my hinting at the word in question is in violation of Terms of Service and Agreement, I pre-emptively apologize to the moderators and users of Startrekfans.net)

[Gummy 0]

While I agree that gossip is harmful to any work environment, I think that a reprimand would have been sufficient.