Get the chicks and birds out of the office and back to the home where they can't do so much damage

I just love this, Women more likely to breed office discontent (Stuff, 28-Sep-2006), sort of dodgy research that people read once in their lives and regurgitate for ever and ever.

As we all know, Stuff are infamous for taking down their articles after a short time so here's the article in full - I have highlighted my favourite lines that I will be using in offices from time to time:

Women more likely to breed office discontent
28 September 2006
By CLAIRE BARRY

Women are more likely than men to breed discontent and ill-feeling in the workplace, a study into workplace relations has found.

Auckland University of Technology psychologist Rachel Morrison said both sexes valued their colleagues, but used them in different ways.

"Men usually bond when things are going well, whereas for women it's almost the opposite."

Her research, to be presented to joint conference of New Zealand and Australian psychologists in Auckland today, says women were more guilty of spreading workplace dissatisfaction than their male colleagues.

While men formed relationships through joint activities, such as workload sharing or having a drink after work, women tended to bond by providing emotional support through informal chats, Dr Morrison said.

"Women actively go out and seek friendships when they're stressed and experiencing drama. They're probably more likely to tell others of their discontent, because they're motivated to get support by disclosing what's going on."

Those discussions about workplace grievances spread job dissatisfaction.

"If colleagues always talk about the things that are annoying them, relationships can become very negative for the organisation they work for. One worker might not have any real issues, but after talking to a co-worker that does they become unhappy too."

Dr Morrison, a lecturer in organisational psychology, also studied how enemies in the workplace affected productivity.

She said it took only one enemy at the office to profoundly affect a worker.

"Survey respondents often spoke about their workplace enemies in a powerless way, saying they were 'trapped' or 'forced' to continually see them.

"They admitted going out of their way to avoid that person, even if it affected their productivity or added to their work hours."

Employees often expected management to intervene to help solve co-worker difficulties, and felt let down if this did not happen.

Dr Morrison conducted the online survey of more than 450 people in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United States.

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