[originaltext] Your co-workers have been gossiping less as of late, and that

Your co-workers have been gossiping less as of late, and that should have the old boss worried. Most workers—63 percent, in fact—say that water cooler chit-chat about their co-workers is commonplace, but that’s down from four years ago when nearly 85 percent of companies said that office gossip was a regular occurrence. The decline may be indicative of a pick-up in the larger economy, especially when compared to the reported boost in gossip and rumors about downsizing and layoffs as the economy worsened. Since the depths of the financial crisis, corporate profits have racked up a couple all-time highs and hiring has seen a slight increase, perhaps alleviating some workplace pressure. Yet a drop in office gossip may actually be harming, not helping, worker productivity. When it focuses on general rumors instead of malicious tidbits, office gossip can actually help workers bond during a time of anxiety. If employees bond enough, it could get them to hang out outside the office, an additional productivity boost. More than half of supervisors say co-workers’ doubling as friends outside of the office has a positive impact on the workplace, the Times of India reports. In addition, workers may have to engage in some office chitchat to be successful at a company. Nearly 60 percent of workers said getting involved in office politics is necessary to get ahead, according to a survey from Robert Half International, a finance and accounting firm.
16. What can be inferred about office gossip?
17. What is the probable relationship between gossip and economy?
18. What benefit can office gossip bring?