Comments on: Taking the Bull#*$% out of Work: Cursing and the Workplace http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/06/02/taking-the-bull-out-of-work-cursing-and-the-workplace/ A Community for Hiring Professionals - Attract, Engage & Retain Your #1 Asset Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:50:59 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: jenny http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/06/02/taking-the-bull-out-of-work-cursing-and-the-workplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2166 jenny Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:24:45 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=3822#comment-2166 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? 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?

]]> By: R http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/06/02/taking-the-bull-out-of-work-cursing-and-the-workplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2091 R Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:32:56 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=3822#comment-2091 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 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.

]]> By: DB http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/06/02/taking-the-bull-out-of-work-cursing-and-the-workplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2030 DB Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:42:03 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=3822#comment-2030 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? 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?

]]> By: CRM http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/06/02/taking-the-bull-out-of-work-cursing-and-the-workplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2028 CRM Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:40:47 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=3822#comment-2028 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. 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.

]]> By: Beta http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/06/02/taking-the-bull-out-of-work-cursing-and-the-workplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2009 Beta Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:13:42 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=3822#comment-2009 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. 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.

]]> By: DDH http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/06/02/taking-the-bull-out-of-work-cursing-and-the-workplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2008 DDH Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:54:19 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=3822#comment-2008 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. 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.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/06/02/taking-the-bull-out-of-work-cursing-and-the-workplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2007 Elizabeth Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:43:01 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=3822#comment-2007 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. 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.

]]> By: AllisonSM http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/06/02/taking-the-bull-out-of-work-cursing-and-the-workplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2005 AllisonSM Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:24:02 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=3822#comment-2005 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 %#&$*@! hard to hold back. Millenial: Freedom of speech does not mean that you can go around saying whatever the heck you want to say with no regard for the feelings of others. It means that you have the freedom to express your thoughts and concerns about various matters without going to jail. Big difference!
I don’t think there should be a ban on foul language in the workplace, but I do believe that everyone should use good judgment and be respectful of others. That language does spill over into other areas where it is not appropriate and once you’re in the habit, it is VERY %#&$*@! hard to hold back.

]]> By: Kris http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/06/02/taking-the-bull-out-of-work-cursing-and-the-workplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2004 Kris Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:47:57 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=3822#comment-2004 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. 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.

]]> By: Millenial http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/2009/06/02/taking-the-bull-out-of-work-cursing-and-the-workplace/comment-page-1/#comment-2003 Millenial Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:41:49 +0000 http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/?p=3822#comment-2003 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. 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.

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