As employees become friends outside of work, personal issues have a way of sneaking into the workplace while you are not looking.  Of course, some of your employees are friends and it is natural that they vent to each other and share personal things.  However, when venting in private turns into a soap opera in which every staff member plays a part, you, the manager, have a problem.

Nothing lowers office morale faster than drama in the workplace.  Not only does morale diminish, but productivity decreases and excuses become prevalent.  Here are some suggestions for keeping a low maintenance and drama free business environment.

1.  It starts with you.  Lead by example.  If you, the manager, are constantly sharing your problems with your staff you cannot logically expect your employees to refrain from unprofessional banter.  Share your personal information minimally with your subordinates.  When you have a REAL problem, your staff should never be aware.  Complaints only go up; never down or sideways.

2.  If you know, everyone else already knows.  The manager is the last to know in most situations. So, if you heard that Suzy is having an affair with Bob from accounting, it is no longer a secret.  While you have no right to tell Suzy how to live her life, you have every right to tell her to stop talking about it with everyone in the office.  If you feel uncomfortable confronting someone on such a delicate subject, discuss it without stating specifics.  Remind her of the importance of upholding a professional environment and being discreet when discussing personal details.

3.  Set and restate rules.  Make your expectations clear with your new employees during your first meeting.  Give examples, check for understanding, and ask about past experiences.  Make sure to review your rules in weekly meetings or in regular publications.  Then, uphold your own rules!

It is inevitable that drama will seep into your professional atmosphere at some point.  But these tips should help you create a workplace that does not support it.  It is never too late to lead by example and improve the working conditions!