Drama, drama, drama! It's all around us, but it can be especially noticeable in the workplace. Drama in the workplace comes in many shapes and forms: Constant complaining about other employees; long-winded discussions about personal relationships; inappropriate outbursts in the office. Unfortunately, this can create uncomfortable situations and can even result in a hostile workplace environment. I didn't even mention the fact that it kills productivity. So the question is, how do you create (and maintain) a workplace environment with no drama?
Like most things, this also starts at the top. Managers and leaders need to be completely free of drama at all times. It goes without saying that a manager should under no circumstances talk about one employee to another employee. It can be quite lonely at the top, but there are organizations for CEOs and leaders to come together and bond over their struggles. Unfortunately, management is also responsible for ensuring that the workplace as a whole is drama-free. Being that it's your company, you're responsible for creating and maintaining the culture of the office as a whole. Below are some ideas for maintaining a drama-free work environment.
Set and Maintain Policy.
One of the most effective ways to prevent or remove drama in the workplace is to catch it early. Creating a detailed addendum that clearly defines office drama and the company's policy for handling it would be good to attach to your employee handbook, and sending positive internal communication or addressing policies at company-wide staff meetings would also be productive.
Define Roles and Responsibilities.
Drama often occurs when employees are uncertain about their specific responsibilities and roles in the office. If you don't already have detailed job descriptions, it is important to create those as soon as possible. They should clearly define the major tasks and responsibilities associated with each position as well as the type of authority accompanying each position. These descriptions should also be public so everyone is aware of expectations.
Stop Gossip.
As soon as you hear about any gossip, it is imperative that you immediately put a stop to it. If you can figure out who the key parties are, it would also be wise to speak with them individually and explain why this behavior is not acceptable. If a rumor does become widespread, addressing it at a company-wide staff meeting or through large internal communications would be smart as well. You need to stress to employees that gossip of any kind will not be tolerated at work.
Prevent Office Rumors.
It's common for details about cutbacks, demotions, layoffs, new hires and promotions to circulate around the office, and people love to talk about it. You can prevent this behavior by being upfront with your employees about any and all company news that impacts them directly. Providing forthright information will leave employees with nothing to speculate about.
Document the Incidents.
If you have repeat incidents with the same employees, be sure to document their actions and behavior. If someone is repeatedly reprimanded, it could be cause for action, and it is critical to have specific examples for reference when confronting them.
Enforce Penalties.
If you have a stated policy and have given offenders a warning and/or spoken with them about their behavior, and incidents continue, you need to take action. Following through on office policy, including suspending or terminating employees is necessary because it will demonstrate to other employees that the company is serious about maintaining a drama-free workplace environment.
Create a Safe and Open Environment.
Make sure your office is an environment in which people feel safe expressing their concerns. At the same time, the way in which they express themselves must be done appropriately. Employees need to understand that outbursts or passive aggressive behavior will not be tolerated. It is also important to affirm and praise positive behaviors.
Bottom Line:
You are operating a business not managing high school cliques. Protect your productivity by creating a drama-free culture of employees focused on their jobs and not on water-cooler gossip.
