- June 2, 2009
- 12 Comments
Taking the Bull#*$% out of Work: Cursing and the Workplace
Britain’s Got Talent’s Susan Boyle is just the latest in a string of public figures to bring profanity into a place of business. However, not all profanity in the workplace stems from extreme anger or, as in Boyle’s case, apparent stress and exhaustion.
On the contrary, many places of business weave cursing into lighthearted banter or jokes and consider it an accepted part of the job. In fact, in some workplaces, one may feel out of place not to join in on the forbidden-word fun. I came across a recent Chicago Tribune article about cursing in the workplace, and although the article brought up some interesting points, it was the comments that really made for some great debate.
One commenter, “Hoofty,” wrote:
I worked for a company in which the “F-Word” could be used as a noun, adjective and verb all in the same sentence and was done so on a regular basis. And this was in the office!
I didn’t think much about it, until my wife brought up the fact that when I switched jobs, my language had cleaned up 1000%.
I guess the moral of the story is that profanity in the workplace can spill into private life. Question – WHY are they cursing? Out of anger, frustration, or in jest? Does it matter? What kind of example are you setting as a leader? What if you take away the meaning behind the words? Is using “fudge” really any better?
“Hoofty,” among others, brings up the idea that not only can cursing in the workplace environment spill over into one’s personal life, but that using a replacement such as “fudge” or “Nutter Butter” for a profane word or phrase while in the office is conveying the same idea and emotion as the original word (and in my opinion, the latter may simply serve to make workers hungry). So does this really solve the profanity problem in the workplace — if swearing in the workplace is even a problem to begin with?
Many think that profanity has no place in the workplace, and that it leads to toxicity, hurt feelings and hostility, and will lead to bigger issues as a result.
Other commenters, however, say that cursing is the symptom, not the disease — and that it points to a larger issue in the workplace. In their view, employers should be taking stock of their employees. Workers are likely frustrated, angry, experiencing low morale — or all of the above — and cursing is simply the outward expression of those feelings. The problem itself must be solved, they say, and the cursing likely will, too.
Positive effects of workplace profanity
Interestingly, despite recent backlash against swearing within office walls, when a 2007 study from the University of East Anglia was released, many jumped on the pro-cursing-in-the-workplace bandwagon. The study showed that “social” or “annoyance” profanity at work can actually be a good thing, because they allow employees to release stress and boost team spirit. These uses of profanity, the authors noted, serve as a release mechanism. Annoyance swearing, replaces “primitive physical aggression.”
Banning swearing, the study showed, could backfire on employers. However, the authors of the study draw a line at bullying or negative swearing, stressing that this type of behavior is likely to have an adverse effect on morale and employee relationships (and can lead to depression, stress, low morale, absenteeism, retention problems and sluggish productivity).
The three Cs: Cognizance, Comfort, and Communication
It is important to make sure your staff is comfortable with your company’s policies (and practices) in profanity. Don’t assume that just because you (or many of your employees) have always thrown out f-bombs at meetings or while working on an important project that it’s okay with everyone. Be cognizant of what is going on in day-to-day employee interactions. Communicate with your employees on a regular basis, and if you notice that someone appears to be uncomfortable around profanity, address the situation and take steps to ensure everyone is on the same page.
End it or embrace it?
So what’s your take on cursing in the workplace? Is it a warning sign of bigger issues? Does it depend on the tone, context, or situation at hand? Or if you have a more relaxed culture and cursing is as natural as drinking coffee in the morning, is it even a problem — or even part of the fun of your work environment — as long as it’s strictly done among employees and not in front of clients or customers?
Or, you know, in front of Simon Cowell.
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- Categories: Employee Engagement, Employee Retention, Employer Advice
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I’m sorry, our younger people use profanity without thinking of who is around or of any consequences. I tell my kids that if they practice that kind of language it will become second nature and they will end up using it at a time they will regret….and that did happen with my eldest child. Some people have to learn the hard way. I view people who use profanity as more ignorant; they can not come up with better or clever ways of expressing themselves.
profanity should not be allowed in the workplace – especially an office. it does spill over into the personal life. it degrades the person doing the swearing and can be demoralizing to those around them. we should not ‘have to get used’ to hearing words we have been taught since childhood that are not acceptable.
Who said that those words are bad words? Society. Who said we shouldn’t use them? Society. Who is using them? The majority of Society. Kind of a double standard if you ask me. The culture of the company will dictate if the words are okay to use in the workplace. If you don’t like using the words I’d suggest a different company culture. We live in America – freedom of Speech and freedom of Choice.
Excessive swearing in the workplace is unprofessional and indicates that the person who engages in it is disrespectful, lacks manners, and doesn’t care about the impression he/she makes on others. I worked for a company where a senior manager dropped “f-bombs” on a regular basis, and employees would come to me and complain that they were offended by him (I work in HR). The company I work for now has a policy that we are committed to treating each other with respect at work, and that includes using respectful language. If you want to work in a place where you can swear all the time, perhaps you should work from home or open your own business where you can set your own rules that allow people to act like idiots and offend others.
Millenial: Freedom of speech does not mean that you can go around saying whatever the heck you want to say with no regard for the feelings of others. It means that you have the freedom to express your thoughts and concerns about various matters without going to jail. Big difference!
I don’t think there should be a ban on foul language in the workplace, but I do believe that everyone should use good judgment and be respectful of others. That language does spill over into other areas where it is not appropriate and once you’re in the habit, it is VERY %#&$*@! hard to hold back.
I am not an advocate of swearing in the office. I’ve worked in swearing cultures and I don’t think it really brings anything to the table. Swear or curse words are supposed to be measures of extreme expression–the worst words one can use. There is a time and a place, if one chooses, and that is when the situation warrants using one of the most taboo words in the English language. Ultimately, the workplace should be an even-keel environment; and swearing does not contribute to this end. Casual swearing minimizes the impact of these words when used in “appropriate” situations or leads individuals to over-exaggerate the import of the feelings they’re communicating. Excessive swearing does not communicate any level of sophistication or education–simply ignorance, crassness, and over-exaggeration.
Remember that freedom of speech in the Constitution prohibits GOVERNMENT censorship, not private institution censorship. I can prohibit what can and can’t be said (not that I will have a list of do’s and don’ts) and the consequences of them.
On a different note, I have even seen a company policy that “no language beyond P-13 type words are allowed in the workplace.” No that is funny.
A colleague of mine in a cubicle next to me says fxxx and sxxx A LOT. It’s really gross and brings to mind images I’d rather not have. Especially from this person-ick. If he would say fudge and shucks, I wouldn’t have these pictures in my head while working. Ha ha.
Cursing (and drinking) have been the entry tickets for women to be included in the all male after hours networking rituals; and even in some boardrooms. We may complain about its use but watch how fast you are labeled and kept at bay if you don’t “fit in” and use the language of the culture. Sometimes only the F word will make the impact you’re going for, in business or personal life.
Swearing and using foul language in the workplace is very unprofessional and degrading. And as mentioned by others above, consistent use of this kind of language will eventually become habit where it spills over into language with customers and in personal lives where it can have an adverse affect on business and friends, children, and family. Why can’t people improve their vocabulary and use real words to express what they mean?
I don’t see that one could distinquish between acceptable use of foul language and unacceptable. If the F word is used like “What the F” and it is accetable how do you discipline someone for saying “F you”? I believe in clear lines for all employees.
I work near someone who curses all the time and talks badly about other people. It makes it very uncomfortable for me. She is a young mother too- I hope she doesn’t talk that way in front of her children. I have talked to my manager about addressing it, but nothing has been done. What should I do?