When coworkers work closely on a team project, is there such a thing as TMI (too much information)? At one company, a team that had just finished a major project went out to lunch to celebrate. During lunch one colleague mentioned that he was training for a 20-mile bike race. In addition to a discussion of his new helmet and Lycra shorts, the person also described shaving his whole body to reduce aerodynamic drag. Afterwards, another team member said that she didn't want to hear that type of information from someone who was a colleague not a friend and wasn't sure why this individual even wanted to share such information with the rest of the work team. At other companies, managers often hear awkward and questionable comments from their younger GenY employees about activities like too much partying after work or on the weekend or that they're looking for another job at another company.
A Question of Ethics:
1. What benefits/drawbacks arise from sharing information like this?
2. What are the ethical implications of sharing such personal information in the workplace?