Behind the Boss’s Back: Understanding the Negative and Positive Emotional and Relational Consequences of Negative Supervisor-Directed Gossip
研究员工在背后说主管坏话后，会因道德情绪而回避主管，但也能增强与同事的归属感和合作行为，尤其在主管虐待下属时效果更明显。
Abstract A considerable amount of research examines the effects of gossip on the target of gossip (i.e., the person being gossiped about); yet research is more limited on how individuals react to their own gossip behavior. We utilize the Social Functional Theory of Emotions to explain the emotional and relational consequences for the gossiper, when gossiping about one’s supervisor at work. We argue that on days employees engage in negative supervisor-directed gossip, they are more likely to experience self-conscious moral emotions, which then influence distancing behaviors in the form of avoidance of the supervisor, with the moral emotions–distancing behavior relationship being stronger under the condition of abusive supervision. We also argue that while negative supervisor-directed gossip may lead to distancing from the supervisor, it can also strengthen social ties with coworkers as evidenced by enhanced feelings of belonging and an increase in cooperative behaviors with coworkers. Additionally, we contend that the belongingness–cooperative behaviors relationship is strengthened when in the context of an abusive supervisor. We test our theoretical model in two experience sample method field studies and generally find support for most of our hypotheses.