We as human beings automatically make observations though out the day. Some of these observations are good and some are bad. These observations are also known as our perception of a person, place, or situation. We all know we shouldn't judge someone the first time you meet them yet you've heard that little voice in your head making a comment and forming an opinion when you shouldn't. That is your perception of the person you are meeting. These perceptions don't stop on the street when you walk by someone new they go on though out the day, the week and the year.
The perceptions you have of others even overflow into the work place and can cause conflicts with other coworkers. When people begin to share their thoughts with other coworkers they open up the door for their coworkers to spread the gossip. This can cause enormous amounts of animosity amongst coworkers. There is also the issue of people getting involved in other workers lives wither its work related or not. They form opinions, make accusations, and cause drama.
All of these problems are due to people forming perceptions of others when they shouldn't. Workers should try to avoid idle gossip and concentrate on the tasks at hand. After all you are being paid to work not to congregate at the water cooler.
A good example of how perceptions and conflicts in the workplace affect real people is about this man I used to work with that was very well liked by everyone. One day one of the coworkers saw the man at the park with another man. The rumors started flying around the office that the man was gay and nobody would say anything to him about it. In my opinion it doesn't matter at all if he was or wasn't but it gave the office something to chat about. When the man finally heard the rumors he was embarrassed. It really hurt his feelings that people would shy away from him and talk behind his back. He ended up quitting his job because nobody looked at him the same. The worst part was the man he was in the park with was his brother and the rumors spread by a coworker made this man leave his job.
This just goes to show that opinions and perceptions of people are not always right and I believe they do not belong in the workplace.
