Fred Harteis News Articles - It has to do with the receptionist’s private life, the secret scoop on why someone in your group got a fatter raise than everyone else’s, or the boss’s wardrobe—the height of her heels, or why he dresses up for long lunches on Thursdays. Love it or loath it, gossip is a part of the workplace. The “grapevine” provides an informal channel for receiving information that shapes our opinions of our job and co-workers. How can you stop workplace gossip when it annoys you? Can you use it to your advantage?