Too many busybodies in the workplace

Introduction

There is a saying that 20% of the employees do 80% of the work which is refer to as the Pareto Principle. I do not think this is the case in all of the workplaces but it appears that this principle is evident in many workplaces. It is so unfair and unacceptable that some people that have a job are not doing their jobs but rather are busybodies in the workplace.  In this context, a busybody is someone who is busy with everything else but doing their job. They are busy on the phone talking to others about issues unrelated to the job. They are busy gossiping. They are busy on social media. They are just being idle. They are doing a different job on the job. Ironically, they are expected to get paid for being busybodies, but they know they didn’t work.

The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3 10-12 NIV “For even when we were with you , we gave you this rule. The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.”

Work

I encourage all of us who have a job to do your work. There are some people that are unemployed who are willing to work but they do not have the opportunity to do so. Furthermore, it is not right that some people are doing their jobs while others are not. In fact those that are doing their work sometimes have to take up the duties and responsibilities of the busybodies.

The workplace can be so efficient if everyone does their job. Those individuals who are not doing their jobs must be held accountable and reprimanded. Otherwise, we will continue to have busybodies in the workplace.

Some people do not have to work long hours as they should, but they do so because the busybodies do not do their part. The busybodies need to work and give back the hours they were busy not working.

Dealing with busybodies

The first step in dealing with busybodies is to have a candid conversation with the busybodies about their behaviour. If they continue, give them a warning in writing.

Also give them tasks to do on a daily basis and let them know they must complete the tasks that day even if it means working late hours.

The workplace may have to enforce some strict rules such as no use of the mobile phone or internet during working hours.

Conclusion

I think some busybodies may be in the wrong jobs. Perhaps they do not like what they are doing and so they are busy with other things. No one should be on a job being a busybody. You are being paid for a job and so you should do your job.

Sometimes some hard-working employees are getting blamed because busybodies are not doing their part. I remind each busybody to be conscious of the fact that you are being watched. Do you think it is right to get paid for not working? If you had a business, would you want your employees to do what you are doing. If your answers are no which I am quite sure they are, then do your work and stop being a busybody.