Being held hostage by gossips, rumour-mongers may sound like the latest edition of a Harry Potter book. The caustic characters detract from the workplace and leave people feeling overwhelmed and under-equipped. Depending on the information's severity and nature, at any workplace, you will find finks and snitches busy reporting in person or drafting, addressing false and fabricated complaints (mostly anonymous) against any Tom, Dick and Harry, to person, entity and the enforcement or watchdog agency (vigilance/ crime/CBI for example) with the power to screw the target person till he is finished. For a tattle tale, the devilish snitch, the intentions could be anything from pursuing personal glory and fame (if he is openly doing it) or to take revenge or to satisfy his sadist self (by fabricating false complaints/allegations) deriving pleasure by seeing others in trouble.
People associate the term tattletale with children. It is true that many children from the ages of 5-10 may display tattletale characteristics. In many of our standup routines about our family, one of the children, “the informer”, would report on the other children’s misdeeds. The motivation for becoming a tattletale may be in part to maintain order in a household, or school environment, and also to garner attention for one’s self. There are instances when a child should legitimately tell something but holds back for fear of being labeled as a tattle-tale. On the other hand, some children just can’t hold back and must “tell on” other children. They may also be particularly bad at keeping any kind of secrets.
Discriminating between when one should hold a secret and when one should inform an adult usually develops as a child ages. However, some adults display tattletale characteristics as well, having never outgrown the need to tell. In addition to seeking attention, an adult tattletale may also be motivated by other selfish reasons. He or she may sadistically enjoy the punishment or embarrassment of others or “telling” may be a convenient way of getting rid of obstacles, e.g., other employees, to promotions at work, for example. Their peers often dislike tattletale because they get other people in trouble. They may be avoided or shunned, which may actually make the person tattle more since need for attention is met with less frequency. Adults who do feel they should legitimately report something may fear the label of tattletale just as much as children do. If they observe illegal activities in the workplace or in their neighborhood, they still may not report because a tattler is often despised.
In prison settings a person who informs on other prisoners is often called a ‘rat’. A cop who reports illegal behavior of other members of the police force is called a ‘narc’. Both the ‘rat’ and the ‘narc’ can face life-threatening recriminations from their peers. It is human nature to want to make ourselves look better in front of our superiors or peers. If one person does not seem to be pulling their weight, it creates more work for the others as well as resentment. That resentment naturally leads to tattling, also called reporting/complaining to the boss. People are looking for ways to get others canned so they won't lose their own job.
Employees whose job responsibilities (mostly plum postings) have been gradually taken away from them may lead to the natural reaction as anger and indignation, which may cause some people to lash out at their fellow employees. Those who feel insecure in their positions may resort to snitching as a way to cast them in a more favorable light with the superiors and thus avoid losing their postings. And of course, there will always be those people who just want revenge and don't care who has to pay — as long as someone does. If one of our colleagues constantly talks trash about others in public, there's a better-than-average chance that they're also doing so behind closed doors with management. Also, someone who was recently denied a promotion or has been stuck in a menial, unsatisfying job for years probably has a good deal of pent-up resentment and may be jealous of other employees that seem to have it better. Such workers may stoop to snitching as a way to drag down other employees and prove once and for all that they should really have that job.
Bosses would normally dislike a complainer as much as colleagues do squealing. But then in our world of jungle law informing/mukhbiri is a successful strategy for ascending the promotional ladder. Bootlickers are nearly as reviled in offices as tattletales, so it makes sense that these two personality flaws tend to go hand in hand. Such employees may use any face they get with top brass to point out other employees' wrongdoings, once again to cast themselves in a more favourable. Top guys have much better things to do than listen to childish complaints, but that doesn't mean that the problem- employee won't keep trying. A snitch would leave no chance to witness comings, goings and other activities of the people around. So if one of your colleagues is a constant office presence and displays all of the aforementioned warning signs, you may have found the offender.
Snitching is a hard habit for some people to break, but fortunately, there are a few steps that employees can take to protect themselves from trifling or unjust accusations. Authorities do need to do a few things to help nip a tattletale in the bud or minimize the damage that one can do to a team. Never reward a snitch. Explain him why his behavior is counterproductive. Alternately pile on him the boring work or simply move the problem- employee to a low-impact location. For the colleagues, fellow employees and even vulnerable superiors the advice is to stay tight-lipped, exceed their performance expectations; don't fight fire with fire and of course don't lose your temper. Remember, a work force or team built on trust will be happier, more productive and more effective. So don't let one person ruin the dynamic for everyone.

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Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
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