Billionaires Ray Dalio and Richard Branson hate workplace gossip—but men who do it could face a steeper career penalty than women, study finds

A study suggests that men who participate in workplace gossip may face a steeper career penalty than women, potentially affecting their chances of moving up the corporate ladder.

What the study suggests

Office gossip is often associated with informal conversations around the workplace watercooler. But the study's finding indicates that the professional consequences of this behavior may not be the same for men and women.

For men, engaging in gossip could damage perceptions of their suitability for advancement more sharply than it does for women. The finding places workplace conversation in the broader context of how employees are judged and how career opportunities may be influenced by behavior beyond formal job performance.

Why workplace behavior matters

The issue has drawn attention because some prominent business figures, including Ray Dalio and Richard Branson, are described as disliking workplace gossip. Their views reflect the concern that gossip can undermine professional conduct, although the information provided does not detail their specific policies or experiences.

The study does not provide further details here about its methods, sample or the precise size of the difference between men and women. Still, its central finding offers a caution for employees who regularly discuss colleagues or workplace matters informally.

Career implications

Employees may need to consider how office conversations shape perceptions of their professionalism. For men in particular, the study points to a possible additional risk if gossip is seen as inconsistent with expectations attached to workplace leadership.

Overall, the finding suggests that informal behavior can carry different career consequences across genders, even when the conduct appears similar.