Backbiting always implies negativity and should not be used to describe neutral or positive comments. The meeting started with unnecessary backbiting about absent colleagues.
Pro Tip 2/3
Informal Settings
Often used in informal conversations, but it can appear in formal contexts as a criticism of behavior. During the lunch break, there was some backbiting about the new policy.
Pro Tip 3/3
Emotional Impact
Using 'backbiting' can convey the emotional harm caused by speaking ill of someone not present. His backbiting hurt my reputation and feelings.