If you ask calmly and politely, they may respect your request and stop immediately. If the gossip continues, you can talk to your supervisor about the situation and ask him to help you. Often, a manager can encourage team members to refrain from unprofessional topics of discussion. Rumors are always circulating; this answer will work for practically all of them.
By casting some doubts about the veracity of the story, you'll make it difficult for the gossiper to continue. Recognize your co-worker's reaction and address the deepest human need beneath the surface. The real reason they may be gossiping is because they want to feel heard and validated. In addition, gossip needs an audience, so it's an office culture that, at the very least, tolerates this person's behavior, but probably even encourages them.
Consider the above strategies so that when faced with a gossipy coworker, you know how to respond. See how people relate to each other and learn about the unofficial roles that certain people have adopted in their workplace. Office gossip can be hurtful and, when you're the subject, seriously affect your well-being and performance. Schoenberger points out in his BBC Capital article: “When talking about office gossip about you, the best policy is to address the issue directly with the person responsible.
