[The Brink] Do You Have a Nosy Coworker? BU Research Finds Snooping Colleagues Send Our Stress Levels Rising
Organizational psychologist Richard A. Currie studies the difference between prying and friendly curiosity—and nosiness’ impact on employee performance
What exactly makes a coworker “nosy”—and how does that behavior affect the workplace? Richard A. Currie, Assistant Professor of Organizational Psychology at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, is helping define and measure workplace nosiness for the first time. “Nosiness isn’t just curiosity—it’s a perception of intrusion,” says Currie. His research, recently published in the Journal of Business and Psychology, identifies key nosy behaviors and explores how they fuel employee stress, reduce performance, and erode trust, particularly in competitive work cultures.
This BU Today article unpacks Dr. Currie’s groundbreaking findings across four studies, including the development of a workplace nosiness scale and a look into generational trends in intrusive behavior. It also explores how authentic leadership can mitigate the damaging effects of nosiness—especially in hospitality settings where team cohesion and emotional intelligence are essential.
- Date: June 26, 2025
- News source: The Brink