How do you deal with people that are spreading rumors that could cost you your career?
470427
Tell those people you are going to sue them for libel and defamation of character. Contact an attorney.
214952
If it is at work, maybe go to the personnel department and talk it over with someone....or talk to people who are completely out of the situation and will not tell what you say.\n\nDevelop a plan to get out of there...document everything you do in case they accuse you of something. Carefully develop an alliance with someone there getting their approval of you, without telling them you have a problem..for example if your boss is mean, and there is someone else that has authority there too, impress them with how nice or good you are, and get their approval.  Sometimes one authority figure will speak positive things to the other and help to change their mind.\n\nSit tight and be careful...ask God to help you..
1097303
Over a 31 yr career, I had several of them, and they will leave you alone and try staying away from you.  Every time they are near you ask them questions you know they can't answer.  Rather than make themselves look dumb because they won't admit not knowing, they will start dodging you.  Try it!  :-)
1173460
It has been my experience that avoiding those kind of people causes them to find ways of attacking you personally. Staying to yourself usually isn't enough in that situation. Either several people will have to go to the boss (or HR) or find a way for the trouble-maker to have duties outside the office. Eventually, the boss should recognize that drama only happens when she is around. Be forewarned, though, most bosses probably won't care and will just dismiss it all as petty cat fighting.
420410
Certain things happen when folks lie. It is hard to make eye contact so you may want to try forcing that. Most people will give more details to a lie than when they are telling the truth. \nBut can you handle the truth?
376238
This is a horrible situation. If you have solid proff that supports your statements you should be able to find a PR firm that would help you. I work as a PR rep and I know something like this is very costly because of the Crisis Management that will be involved once the story breaks. But if you are only interested in doing a news blast to see if the media is interested in your story, you can also sign up for limited PR services such as news alerts which is about 1/100th less than a full PR service.  I believe that this is important for people to learn about.
479413
I think gossip and rumors are the worse thing in the world, and they do hurt no matter how much you were taught when you were little "sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me."  All I have to say is if these people are your friends, they aren't very good friends and you should just find new people to socialize with. But the best thing to do is try and ignore it, If someone confronts you about it just tell them they must of heard it wrong and you would apprieciate it if they no longer talked about it.  Good luck.
560388
Ignore it. \nIf any one ask you about the rumor just say it is not true, and you don't have time for that kind of talk... ignore them... people who like rumors like to see people get mad and affected about what they've said... if you act like you don't care, they will eventually stop picking on you.
532057
Please stop spreading rumors!!
325644
office drama is tricky to deal with. If you dig yourself in by getting revenge its going to escalate into something that will get management involved and may get you both fired. Do nothing to the person. But also realize that you can use this person. Don't tell them anything you don't want repeated but if you want everyone to know something, tell them and they will. Also, make sure you keep notes about everything. Keep your evidence hidden so when they do try and get you in trouble you'll have proof of where you were and then you can turn around to your manager and point out all the things that you have noticed this person do that's against company policy. Good luck and tread lightly!
686555
You could go your entire life trying to squash rumors.  My thing is that I would address folks that approach me ONLY.  You dont have time for the rest of it.  People are going to think what they are going to think.
403182
I am so sorry that your work environment is like this.  It's really hard, but I think the best thing to do is just refuse to listen to it.  You might find some phrases like this helpful when you sense some gossip is coming on.\n\n"Hey, Bill, if it's okay with you I think I'd rather not hear about that."\n"I think well of <name> and I'd like to continue.  Please don't say that story."\n"Hey, we're all coworkers here.  I'd rather not hear anything bad about people I work with."\n\nIt's really hard, and sometimes you can't always tell when the negative comments are coming, but by refusing to listen to it you at least you won't be part of the problem, and you won't have the mental burden of knowing all the negative things about your coworkers.\n\nSometimes these have to be said more than once, and sometimes it helps to change the subject so the people won't  continue on the same line of conversation.\n\nI'm behind you 100%!  You'll be making this world a better place!
1020273
Sometimes I counteract negative gossip by making kind remarks about the person who is the subject of the gossip.  Most people are basically nice and this appeals to their better nature.  If the gossiper persists I don't worry about offending them with silence.
781737
not giving a damn about them...rumers everywhere and everytime..you cannot stopd them...most of the time people talk rumors about you becasue they are jelaouse, cuz youve got something they dont have....and now if you dont listen to them, give the impression like you don't care...they will stop itself.
981499
It may be the oldest cliche there is, but the best thing to do is laugh. You need to laugh at the rumours (as hurtful and cruel that they are). You know that what is being said is not true, and so do the people who care about you. Whatever anyone else thinks is irrelevant. \n\nThink of it in this way, their lives are so pathetic that in order to amuse themselves they need to spread untrue and unfounded gossip about someone. Laugh at their stupidity and immaturity, you've got better things to do than let those losers get you down. If they have nothing better in their lives than to gossip, let them have their 15 seconds in the spotlight - it's them who will lose out in the end. Nobody wants to be around someone who cant keep a secret or who just makes stuff up for the fun of it.\n\nI dont know if your in highschool, but I will assume that you are (gossip is ripe in schools). Just remember that these are the best years of their life, they may be cool and popular now but in ten years, nobody cares who they are and chances are they'll be pregnant and alone, or standing in line at the dole office.\n\nKeep your head up. Laugh at the stupidity of it all and remember, it's what you think of yourself that really matters.
289814
I would ask him straight out whether it is true or not.  Rumours have a nasty habit of being either completely false or only tell one side of the story.  Asking one of his close friends may be a good option, but bear in mind if it is one of HIS good friends their first loyalty is to him not you and they may not want to tell you the truth if they think it will cause problems for him later.  Also remember that maybe it is true but it may not be a black and white story.  Work out what you are prepared to accept and don't make any decisions on the spot.  Let him know upfront you will have to consider the situation before you give him an answer.\n\nGood luck!
964939
Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.\n\nbefriend this person, don't complain about them any more, and wham when ever they say  bad - you can casually mention to the boss which is negative about the job or your boss let your boss know :)  Yeah be a backstabber/brown noser