Dear Judy Ludy:
My secretary gossips all of the time…how do I know what’s the truth and what are un-truths? Should I discipline her and/or let her go?
Signed,
A Disbeliever

Dear Disbeliever:
You do have a bit of a problem don’t you. If my secretary gossiped all the time, I’d give her longer coffee breaks! Just kidding!

Office gossip can be very disruptive, not only to the gossiper, but the gossipee. If your secretary develops a reputation as a gossip, no one will trust her with any real information, and you won’t get the necessary information you need to do your job. Assistants are the office infrastructure; they know absolutely everything that goes on, and they hold an office together. To have this system develop a huge pothole, can be very destructive to your business.

Talk to your secretary and explain to her that office gossip isn’t productive, and you would appreciate her not doing it. If it continues, repercussions will have to be discussed which could result in possible dismissal.

The Ludy-ism…It’s very diffucult to find a qualified and loyal assistant. Think long and hard before you issue an ultimatum to”Karen” that you have to keep; revenge is sweet, and she knows every secret (and bank account number) you have.