You know I love gossip as much as the next person.  I really do.  Unfortunately as much as I enjoy it, like any other bad habit, I have to refrain. 
In our company we have a no gossip rule.  The no gossip rule is also one of the thirteen rules that I teach Primary Agents and  team leaders to communicate to every person as they bring them onto their team.  I define gossip as any time you are talking about another person when you are not talking to that person. (Something you wouldn't say to their face) Gossip is poison.

At a Board meeting I heard a member of the clergy say that there is a religious principle that says gossip hurts three people.  It hurts the person speaking it.  It hurts the victim who is being spoken about.  And it hurts the person (or people) listening. 

There is a lot more to say about this, on one hand.  On the other hand it quite simple.