Richard Branson and Ray Dalio Have No Tolerance for Office Gossip: Why Some Billionaires Are Willing to Fire Employees Over It

Men who gossip about their colleagues behind their backs could be putting their careers at risk. A new study by the University of Iowa and the University of New Mexico has found that men who gossip are perceived as less competent and are less likely to be seen as leadership material than women who engage in exactly the same behavior.

“Men are judged much more harshly for gossiping,” Trevor Spoelma, an associate professor at the University of Iowa, told Fortune.

The researchers conducted three studies involving students and working Americans. In each one, people who engaged in gossip received lower ratings for their professional qualities, but men faced a particularly harsh reaction.

The researchers attribute this difference to gender stereotypes. Women's gossip has historically been viewed as relatively commonplace, while men are expected to behave differently. As a result, men who talk about colleagues behind their backs are more likely to face criticism.

Gossip, however, is not always malicious. It can range from criticizing someone's work and spreading unflattering stories to harmless conversations that help employees feel part of a team. In the era of remote and hybrid work, this kind of informal communication can sometimes be an important way for colleagues to bond.

Still, some of the world's best-known business leaders believe there is no place for office gossip in a professional environment.

Richard Branson, billionaire founder of Virgin Group, has admitted that he prefers to simply walk away whenever he hears someone gossiping. “It never leads to anything good,” he said in 2024.

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, has also urged people not to discuss colleagues behind their backs. In his view, if an employee has genuinely made a mistake, the right approach is to speak to them directly rather than spread rumors.

Entrepreneur and radio host Dave Ramsey takes an even harder line. At his company, Ramsey Solutions, he has made avoiding gossip one of its 14 core values.

“I will fire you for gossiping. I have done it before, and I will do it again,” Ramsey warned.

He believes workplace problems should be reported to managers who can actually resolve them. Under his rules, discussing grievances with colleagues behind someone's back can cost an employee their job.