Curtailing oversharing at work.
It’s only natural that we form close working relationships with our co-workers, after all we spend a significant amount of time together…solving problems, achieving milestones and moving the business forward. However, when it comes to colleagues sharing information about their private lives, sometimes it’s hard to know the line between what’s appropriate and inappropriate to share.
Inappropriate sharing, also known as oversharing, is characterized by an individual divulging more personal or sensitive information than is deemed appropriate for the work setting, usually encompassing details about personal relationships, personal struggles, health issues, financial situations or other private matters. While this sharing may be well intended, it can cause discomfort for co-workers, distract from work priorities, increase workplace gossip, fracture team dynamics, damage professional reputations and create opportunities for unconscious bias – someone can’t “unknow” information once it’s been shared.
Here are some ways to curtail oversharing by a colleague:
Lead by example- Refrain from sharing deeply personal topics or discussing polarizing subjects at work.
Set clear boundaries- Gently redirect the conversation to work-related topics or state that you are not comfortable discussing private matters at work.
Encourage seeking support (if appropriate)- acknowledge your colleague’s need to share without encouraging further personal disclosures. “I’m sorry you’re going through this…it’s not something I can help you with, however maybe speaking to HR could help.”
Involve HR (if needed). If oversharing becomes disruptive, concerning or overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out to HR. They can address the issue in a formal manner, protecting privacy while maintaining professionalism in the workplace.
It is everyone’s responsibility to uphold a professional culture at work. It’s best to stick to sharing professional information (i.e. academic or work-related knowledge, skills and experiences) or casual information (i.e. general preferences – food, movies, sports, vacation spots, pastimes, etc., or observations- weather, traffic, local events, etc.) at work. The goal is to foster a workplace that is friendly yet respectful of personal boundaries and conducive to professional growth.