Gossip destroys the productivity of employees and leads to atmosphere of
mistrust. The funny thing is that employers do not like gossips either, but
have failed to utilize that “no cause” clause for firing them.
A message needs to be sent loud and clear that gossips and snitches will not
be tolerated. Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a gossip are like choice
morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.” In other words, they cut
people.
Let us differentiate some things. If someone is embezzling from the company
then something should be said. Stupid things like who is dating whom and other
such foolishness can destroy a company.
A company can also be found liable if the information is such that it is
destructive to their employment elsewhere. The main reason that employers will
only confirm dates of employment and not character is because past employees
have successfully brought suit against their former companies that made
comments that may have kept them from getting a job.