People that gossip around the office are usually the people that have little or no life outside of the office. Now I have talked about other people at the office when they were not there, but I can guaranty you that it is not hurtful, degrading. If I talk about someone and they are not around I will promise you that I would say the same thing about them if they were standing right next to me....I worked at a place once and I was, as always, SLY in my hair style, and the whole time I worked there they had nothing to say to my face, but would cut me down for being bald behind my back......ever heard loose lips sink ships.....well the gossip got so bad and hurtful the company finally had to close down....Mostly because the the boss and his wife were involved in the gossip.......Ow the irony.