Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Yay or Nay: Is swearing at work okay?

Two surveys find differing opinions on whether it's okay to swear at the workplace, and I want to get your thoughts, pros.

According to a poll by SurePayroll, 80% of respondents believe that even seemingly innocent swearing on the job can be interpreted the wrong way and have negative consequences, even though 40% admit to swearing themselves at least occasionally and 11% actually think swearing can boost employee morale.

Another study from researchers at the University of East Anglia (in Norwich, England) finds that embracing your inner Blago can "reflect solidarity and enhance group cohesiveness, or as a psychological phenomenon to release stress," according to study director Yehuda Baruch.

The study also discovers younger workers are more tolerant of profanity, and that women swear more than you might expect of the fairer sex and execs are less profane than the rank-and-file.

So, is swearing at work okay -- yay or nay?

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I had a male boss (Senior VP) who loved dropping the F bomb repeatedly in mixed company meetings. It certainly didn't build a team relationship but it did show how little class and integrity he had. I was embarrassed for my staff having to sit through that. Make a fool out of yourself in private, not in front of a group.