Why 'BigDeal' host Codie Sanchez says workplace gossip is a fireable offense at her company
Entrepreneur Codie Sanchez explains why she doesn't tolerate employee gossip at her company — and will fire people for it.
Contrarian Thinking founder Codie Sanchez believes workplace gossip is a serious issue that warrants termination. During a recent episode of her BigDeal podcast, Sanchez declared that gossip undermines company culture and vowed to fire employees who engage in it. She encourages direct communication instead, stating that if someone has an issue with a colleague, they should address it directly rather than gossiping about it.
Sanchez emphasizes her no-gossip culture in a recent interview with Business Insider. She explains that if an employee is caught spreading rumors, they will receive a warning on the first offense and be terminated on the second. The entrepreneur, who has a substantial social media following and a popular podcast, shared a story about gossip in her new book, Own or Be Owned: Build a Business So Good It Doesn't Need You.
She recounted an incident where an employee became the "mascot for everything broken" and complained about the company culture. Sanchez confronted the employee about their issues with management, and after they refused to take their concerns to their manager, Sanchez terminated them.
At an all-hands meeting, Sanchez shared her decision to fire the gossiping employee, explaining that they broke the company's code. She advocates for directness over gossip, stating that people should be able to say what's on their mind without fear of retaliation. Sanchez acknowledges that radical candor, or direct feedback, can sometimes be uncomfortable but argues that clarity is essential in leadership.
She has received criticism for her direct communication style and admits to being called "aggressive" and having unclear messages on Slack. Despite the challenges, Sanchez believes that fostering a culture of direct communication is crucial for success.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
