You know, I had this one coworker, and honestly, I think he just loved being in the know. I’m not sure if he realized how much it affected everyone, but he had this one habit that just wouldn’t quit. It was all about the lunchroom, and it happened *every* single Tuesday.
So, every Tuesday, like clockwork, he’d stroll into the lunchroom right after his meeting with upper management. He’d grab his lunch, make a big show of getting comfortable, and then… the stories would start.
“Oh man, you wouldn’t believe what I just heard in the meeting,” he’d say, usually loud enough for half the room to hear. And it was *always* something juicy, something that wasn’t really meant for everyone’s ears.
One Tuesday, it was about potential layoffs. “I heard some departments might be getting restructured,” he’d say, with this knowing look. “Looks like some people’s jobs are on the line.”
The next Tuesday, it was about a big project getting delayed. “Apparently, that project is way over budget and behind schedule,” he’d announce. “Don’t be surprised if they pull the plug on it altogether.”
And the thing is, these things were never really confirmed facts. It was always “what he heard” or “what someone told him.” It spread so much anxiety around the office, especially when people started wondering if what he said was true.
It got to the point where people would actively avoid the lunchroom on Tuesdays. I even started bringing my lunch from home, which I never used to do! It was like a mini-storm cloud hovering over the office every week.
Eventually, someone decided to say something. She wasn’t going to confront him directly, but she started spreading facts to combat the rumours that he spread. She did so by talking to colleagues to try and calm them down. The gossiper seemed to get the message, as the rumours being spread weren’t as severe anymore.
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