Behavior requires more than a discussion

Q: I have two pairs of employees who can’t seem to get along. The first pair talks so much trash about their co-workers that people from other departments have told me about their comments. The second pair just tries to keep their distance and never makes nasty remarks.

I am concerned about the two troublemakers and plan to call them in and repeat what I have been told. They will, no doubt, want to know who complained, but because I received this information in confidence, I don’t think I should reveal my sources.

I’m sure they will make excuses for their behavior and I expect the drama to continue. However, I just want to let them know that I’m in the loop on the office grapevine. Does this sound like a good plan?

A: Well, you do have a couple of things right. Talking with the agitators is definitely a priority. Their public trash talk is not only escalating the conflict but also hurting the reputation of your group.

Keeping sources confidential is also a wise move. When employees are told about complaints, they often indignantly demand to know who made them. But you are not obligated to divulge that information.

However, your plan does have one glaringly obvious deficiency — that is, you are making absolutely no effort to actually solve the problem.

Start by informing the two troublemakers that their snarky remarks must stop. Then give all four squabblers the nonnegotiable goal of resolving their disagreements. While they don’t have to like each other, they do need to act like mature adults.