HR Soapbox Blog

I Swear I Don't Swear At Work That Often!

(Published July 20, 2009)

I can't tell you how many times I've walked full force into the corner of my desk. When I do, an expletive has been known to fly from my lips. According to a recent study, uttering that forbidden four-letter word from my childhood is actually a good thing. Keele University (England) reported that swearing appears to increase our pain tolerance. Does the fact that I'm at work diminish the apparent acceptability of my swearing?

Not at all! There are some workplace situations in which nothing less than a swear word will do. Such as when:

my computer crashes and I lose everything I am working on,

the copier jams seconds after I just spent 15 minutes removing a jam, or

I'm in dire need of caffeine and I discover someone stole my can of Pepsi from the fridge.

In each of these instances, growling an expletive has made the situation more tolerable (proof the Keele study is right). While every other word out of my mouth certainly isn't the F-bomb, I readily admit that I do swear at work.

Could you imagine if we lived in a society where zero-tolerance swearing policies were as common as zero-tolerance violence policies? If that was the case, I'd wager that you'd have to terminate at least half of your staff within the first few days of implementing the ban on foul language!

In all seriousness, I don't think my workplace swearing compromises my professionalism at all. Here's why.

I know my audience. Usually, only I hear me swearing. I do swear in conversations with co-workers, but only with those I am good friends with and know won't be offended.

I keep my tone low. All of those years of my parents giving me "the look" for even thinking about swearing causes me, still to this day, to lower my voice when I do swear. No matter how much I want that Pepsi, you'll never hear me firing off expletives at the top of my lungs.

I don't swear at co-workers, bosses, customers, etc. Unfortunately for my computer, the same can't be said for it.

Face it, swearing is a part of our lives, whether we like it or not. If you doubt me, just turn on primetime TV or download the latest Billboard hit. So what can employers do? My suggestion is to remind employees that "there is a time and a place for everything" and trust that they will censor themselves when necessary. In situations where things get out of hand, employers should proceed as they would with any other instance of unprofessional behavior.

Melissa V. Pomerantz
Editor

Posted by Editorial at 7/20/2009 7:49 AM

I agree that there are times when swearing at work is very useful. Many of us find ourselves swearing at our computers and at the copier. However, one should never swear at another person or about another person when others are around. That crosses the line into unprofessional.
Posted by: Linda at 7/21/2009 1:59 PM

I do not agree that swearing is ok in the office environment-no matter what the circumstance. It is very unprofessional-it shows a lack of control and a lack of respect. As with all bad behaviors, there is a trickle down effect when managers and those in positions of authority swear-this sends the message to all those within hearing that this type of behavior is ok; thus, creating a hostile work environment.
Posted by: Suzanne at 7/21/2009 2:33 PM

The occasional swear word at inanimate objects or situations is fine, though I'd prefer not the Fword. Constant cussing-no thank you.Swearing at people or in the presence of customers-no, no, no.
Posted by: LindaP at 7/21/2009 2:37 PM

I would be very uncomfortable in a company where swearing is the norm. It's not professional, it's not attractive, and could lead to a hostile work environment. On the other hand, I can understand and tolerate occasional utterances in certain situations.

If you do not hear your "good" friends using swear words, you may be offending them without knowing. Some people may not say anything for fear of offending you or being thought of as a prude. Also, your conversations may be overheard.
Posted by: Kathy at 7/21/2009 4:08 PM

My sentiment is in line with both Suzanne's and Kathy's.
Posted by: Karen at 7/21/2009 7:00 PM

Profanity in the workplace is so widespread that it becomes difficult to regulate without creeping up on the right to free speech. Not all people are equally offended (if at all) by most swear words. However, there are those certain words the late George Carlin spoke about that truly should be left outside the workplace. My computer would have to fall on my head before I'd utter any of those outloud in the office. But I'd sure think about them real hard...
Posted by: Steve at 7/21/2009 7:32 PM

What I don't care for is the employee that complains, files against other employees for swearing and the swear themselves.
Posted by: Ruth at 7/22/2009 11:32 AM

I agree with the comments from others that swearing in the workplace is inappropriate, period--to me, there are not "degrees" of words that are okay. Those whom we think are not offended may just be reluctant to speak up. We have become much too complacent about inappropriate words and conversations in the workplace.
Posted by: LM at 7/22/2009 11:35 AM

Other than the situation described above (running into the corner of the desk)swearing in the work place is not appropriate. In many cases swearing only shows the lack of appropriate vocabulary on the part of the one cursing
Posted by: Mike Nelson at 7/22/2009 11:37 AM

When I revert to a swear word, I degrade myself and everyone else.
My practice is to learn as many words as I can to express myself, and then I can pat myself on the back for having a large, non-swearing expressive vocabulary that can be every bit a tension reducing as a #%*@ word.
Posted by: Barbara Fox at 7/22/2009 12:08 PM

Depends upon the circumstances, the frequency, the volume and the audience. For those who are offended, you need to find another place to work.

Odds are you're probably more interested in what your coworker is doing than you are in getting your work done anyway.
Posted by: Mary Stein at 7/22/2009 12:09 PM

I agree with most of those here...swearing in the office is a no-no. It detracts from one's professionalism. That said, my favorite expression when I'm frustrated is "Jiminy Flipping Crickets", which my mother hated...she said I may as well have said what I meant, and that my expression was "just as bad".
Posted by: Mariah at 7/22/2009 12:12 PM

I have to agree with Ruth, it really bugs me to have somebody complain about the language in their department/work area and then you hear them swearing. We had an employee years back who complained loud and long to anyone who would listen that the girls in her department used such awful language, but then after she'd quit the supervisor told me that she would get upset and go off on them and use just as bad or worse language! I'd rather have somebody just honestly let a swear-word fly occasionally than be a hypocrite about it!
Posted by: Cynthia at 7/22/2009 12:13 PM

While I agree with most that constant cussing is not appropriate; I also agree with Melissa that cussing happens. I don't think my vocabulary is diminished by a cuss word. I don't cuss at people, but I may shout under my breath if and when it is necessary. It does relieve a lot of pressure and stress of situations that arise. My vehicle is the best place to let loose with the radio blaring.
Posted by: Delyce Maciel at 7/22/2009 12:16 PM

We have a zero-tolerance policy at our business regarding profanity. I realize this doesn't stop people from using profanity altogether, but it does create a more professional, respectful workplace. Many posting here seem proud of the fact that they swear, and I suppose people have that right. But who are they really impressing?
Posted by: John at 7/22/2009 12:24 PM

What happens when the VP curses on a regular basis to and at his Project Managers(who were all men) in the office next to the accounting department where it's 100% women and the owner allows such behavior? I being in HR at the time discussed the importance and the liability of this behavior. To my surprise, both agreed to Anger Management classes to "show" they are trying to become better leaders once they found they might get slapped with an EEOC claim from an ex-employee. When the claim never surfaced, they dropped the courses. Shortly thereafter, I left after my final cursing and filed an EEOC. Unfortunately, I did not follow through due to having to face these men and they're high paying Attorney's and intimidation tactics. I'm much more happier now. It's not a matter of if, but when. Karmas at #(*@#*@()#*!
Posted by: Dawn at 7/22/2009 2:15 PM

I think that whether or not it is appropriate depends on the situation, even at work. Saying that it shows that one has a limited vocabulary is, in my opinion, a pretty narrow-minded view. If every other word out of one's mouth is a curse word then yes, it's inappropriate but the fact that I choose to curse when I run into the corner of my desk for the third time in a day or I curse in front of a co-worker, who happens to be a close friend (and occasionally curses herself) does not mean that I don't know how to control myself. That's just silliness. It does bother me, on the other hand, to hear people curse in general conversation in stores and other public places where they are easily overheard...children repeat practically everything they hear and you never know in a situation like that when a child is listening to you.
Posted by: Diane at 7/22/2009 3:28 PM

I agree that it's neither appropriate nor professional. I'll do so under my breath in the privacy of my office, but among others we don't usually tolerate it and we've warned a few employees when they've gone overboard and others have complained.

I was interviewing someone for a high-level director position last month and he described how he turned around a customer relationship at a prior company after the customer had lost faith in engineering data that was provided to them. When I asked why the customer decided to trust him after they'd expressed displeasure with previous reports, he said he told them "I will never f#@*&%g lie to you" and they believed his sincerity. I don't think I'd say that to a customer, let alone repeat it verbatim in an interview, and I don't think it would fit in our environment!
Posted by: Ray at 7/22/2009 3:39 PM

What is the best way to discipline employees who swear excessively?
Posted by: Mary at 7/22/2009 3:50 PM

Mary, in my opinion, the best way to discipline employees who swear excessively is in the same manner you discipline employees for other behaviors that violate your organization's code of conduct policy.
Posted by: Melissa Pomerantz at 7/23/2009 7:32 AM

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I Swear I Don't Swear At Work That Often!