Is swearing acceptable in the workplace?
Something went wrong: a client abandons a project, a colleague abandons you, you make a mistake on a report, you spill coffee all over your desk. do you say a swear word
Science says swearing can be good for you, and now research has shown that it’s generally accepted that swearing in the office is commonplace.
A new LinkedIn survey of nearly 31,000 people found that 30% of respondents “constantly” swear at work. Another 42% said they were comfortable swearing around their co-workers, but only in more casual settings.
Just 22% said they would never swear at work or around their co-workers, while another 6% chose the “Other” option. Responses in the comments ranged from “I wouldn’t dream of that” to saying it was “reading the room”.
It comes as a UK judge ruled that use of the F-word at work is “pretty common”. Judge Andrew Gumbiti-Zimuto said the phrase “I don’t give a shit” no longer has the “shock value” it used to have when deciding a wrongful dismissal case.
Usually, yes – but when is it okay?
“With the rise of AI and ChatGPT, human skills have never been more important,” said Lewis Meleh, founder and CEO of boutique executive search firm Bentley Lewis wealth.
Meleh, who works with large public companies in finance, health and technology, said using these emotional intelligence skills is critical to determining when to swear at work and what type of language is acceptable.
“There are some words you should just stay away from,” he said. “I wouldn’t recommend swearing in an interview either. There’s a lot of advice out there about being your authentic self at work, but you have to be sensible — just listen to what other people are saying and when they’re saying it. Let that guide you.”
Offices have become more relaxed since the pandemic, both in terms of flexible working and how people dress when they come into the office, said Sheri Hughes, director of UK-based recruiter Michael Page.
Speak with wealth, added Hughes: “The fundamental thing to remember is that the use of language in general should be inclusive. You may feel comfortable using certain words or phrases around close colleagues, but have you thought about some of the connotations behind them and the impact they can have on your colleagues?”
For those among the 22 percent who would not swear at work, Meleh added that it should be relaxed about describing the behavior of others as unpleasant. A casual rebuff when a swear word is uttered might be one possibility, or making someone else uncomfortable might be another.
He explained: “If you’re in an office and you notice a co-worker swearing and a manager raising an eyebrow, pull that co-worker aside and say you noticed. Could they miss a promotion, could they be prevented from working on projects? They will thank you for telling them.
“If you’re uncomfortable yourself, you can just pull them aside and have the conversation one-on-one, you don’t necessarily have to involve a manager or team leader.”
The Science of Cursing
A growing body of research shows that swearing can actually be good for you — especially when it comes to relieving pain or frustration. However, if you’re someone who swears 60 times a day or more, then the relief from the expletive will be a little less profound.
A study published in diary of pain from Keele University’s School of Psychology found that swearing increased pain tolerance and heart rate compared to not swearing.
Richard Stephens, who conducted the research alongside Claudia Umland, said at the time: “Our research suggests that swearing is a useful part of language that can help us express strong emotions or respond to high-pressure situations. However, it would be wise to use swearing in moderation, as excessive swearing seems to dilute this effect.”
Learn how to navigate and build trust in your organization with The Trust Factor, a weekly newsletter exploring what leaders need to succeed. Login here.
