Why HR Should Worry About Ghosting At Workplace

Modern-day ghosting is more new-normal than paranormal. Ghosting refers to the act of suddenly ending all communication with someone without any explanation. It is a form of avoidance behaviour, where people choose to ignore the person, they are talking to, rather than face the discomfort of an honest conversation.

One of the reasons why ghosting has become so prevalent in the business world is the ease with which we can communicate through digital channels. We can send emails, texts, and instant messages without ever having to meet face-to-face or have a real conversation. However, this also means that we have lost the art of communication and interpersonal skills. We have become so accustomed to hiding behind our screens, that we forget the importance of showing respect and courtesy to others. With the rise of remote work, it has become easier for people to avoid difficult conversations with coworkers or external teams. Rather than confront an issue head-on, some people choose to simply stop responding to emails or messages, effectively disappearing from the conversation. This can create confusion and frustration for the other parties involved and can ultimately hurt the productivity and morale of the entire team.

Social media has also contributed to the prevalence of ghosting in modern-day society. With so many ways to communicate online, it has become easier than ever for people to simply unfollow, block, or ignore someone they no longer want to interact with. This can be particularly hurtful in cases where the person being ignored thought they had a close relationship with the other party. The lack of closure can leave them feeling rejected and confused and can even lead to long-term emotional damage.

Societal Impact

Ghosting is a problematic worrisome behaviour that has become increasingly common in modern-day society. While it may seem like an easy way to avoid difficult conversations or confrontations, it ultimately does more harm than good. It can leave people feeling confused, hurt, and rejected, and can even lead to long-term emotional damage. Ghosting also has broader societal consequences. It promotes a culture of avoidance, where people feel it's acceptable to cut off communication rather than deal with uncomfortable situations head-on. This can lead to a breakdown in communication, relationships, and trust, making it difficult for individuals to form healthy and meaningful connections. Furthermore, ghosting can perpetuate social inequalities, particularly in situations where one person holds more power or privilege than the other. For example, a job applicant who gets ghosted by an employer can feel disrespected and powerless, leading to feelings of frustration and disillusionment with the job market.

Ghosting throws up many dimensions. For one, breaking up using ‘ghosting’ instead of what would be a horrifying alternative of messy conversations is considered more elegant. What is the point in being polite and courteous, when you don’t really have any price to pay, and you consider this investment in time and effort unnecessary? One gets desensitised, especially if the forum is on email or social media and ends up rationalising the behaviour. Ghosting can have a negative impact on business relationships. In the case of potential clients or partners, ghosting can make your company appear unprofessional and unreliable, potentially leading to lost business opportunities. In the case of employees, ghosting can create a toxic work environment, where people feel undervalued and disrespected.

One of the main implications of ghosting at the workplace is the negative impact on talent acquisition and retention. Employers invest significant time and resources to find and hire top talent. However, when employees ghost their employers, it creates a disruption in the workflow, leaving employers scrambling to fill the void and potentially lead to a loss of productivity and morale among the remaining employees. Moreover, when ghosting becomes a common practice, it erodes the trust between employers and employees, making it difficult to establish long-term relationships and retain valuable talent.

Furthermore, ghosting has implications for employee engagement. Employees who feel unvalued or unsupported may resort to ghosting as a way to exit a job without facing difficult conversations or confrontations. This lack of engagement can lead to lower job satisfaction and decreased motivation among the remaining employees, as they may be left to pick up the slack or cover for the sudden departure of their colleagues. This can result in decreased morale, increased stress, and a negative work environment, ultimately impacting overall team performance and productivity.

By valuing communication, honesty, and being mindful of power dynamics, we can work towards creating a more respectful and equitable society. We must recognise that our interactions with others have a profound impact, and we must take responsibility for our actions and behaviours.

So, what can be done to improve this behaviour? First, we need to start valuing communication and honesty in our interactions with others. This means having difficult conversations, when necessary, even if it's uncomfortable or awkward. We need to recognise that being transparent and upfront with people is a sign of respect and consideration, even when we don't want to hurt their feelings. Second, we need to be mindful of the power dynamics at play in our relationships and interactions. In situations where one person holds more power or privilege, we need to be particularly careful to ensure that we are not inadvertently perpetuating harm or inequality.