In a typical business district in a typical town, deep within the walls of a cubicle farm, one employee affably calls another a four-letter word. Another responds with an "F-bomb," as the self-censoring kids call it these days. Phrases that would make the FCC blush bounce back and forth between the walls of the world's companies, and it's surprisingly good for business. According to a recent study by researchers in the U.K., regular swearing among employees can "boost team spirit" among co-workers, allow for better self-expression, and form social bonds. While using taboo words in front of customers or senior management should remain frowned upon, an enforced moratorium on swear words can have negative impacts on morale and motivation, the research suggests. Such rules could also drive a wedge between the leaders making these rules and their support staff.
According to Yehuda Baruch -- professor of management at the University of East Anglia in England -- hopes that "this study will serve not only to acknowledge the part that swearing plays in our work and our lives, but also to indicate that leaders sometimes need to think differently and be open to intriguing ideas ... the challenge [for managers] is to master the art of knowing when to turn a blind eye to communication that does not meet their own standards."
The full contents of the study -- Swearing at work and permissive leadership culture: when anti-social becomes social and incivility is acceptable -- is printed in the latest issue of the Leadership and Organizational Development Journal. Seek out a copy if you are interested in further details. Frankly, I don't give a damn.
Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.
Nuclear power is on the comeback trail
Apple backs AT&T in continuing spat with Verizon
Closing Bell: The recession is still over, still... do you feel it?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-18-2007 @ 6:34PM
stanley said...
F'ing A right! Don't see why you can't call dat ho next to you a Slurpy Doll, jus saying what the F it is!
10-18-2007 @ 9:40PM
William Ehlert said...
All I see in this story is an idiot
trying to get everyone to believe
profanity is good.
A dirty mouth needs only soap
to help clean it up.
10-18-2007 @ 10:41PM
IlGiorno said...
Swearing once in a while at work is healthy (not around customers)-it makes you feel good to tacitly tell off your jerk boss or his/her kiss ass managers. I've had bosses who had dirtier mouths than mine; and, believe me I'm good! I'd say that out of 10 bosses (owners) 7 were darn good cursers, i.e: 'Hey ___ get your f... in here, I need to show you something'. Definetly, it starts from above. Anyone who says otherwise, must a businees owner and is lying.
10-18-2007 @ 10:45PM
IlGiorno said...
I only wished that AOL would grant me the opportunity and the freedom to curse in writing whenever I feel like it. But, since they don't, fuck them!
10-18-2007 @ 10:48PM
IlGiorno said...
Thanks AOL.
10-18-2007 @ 10:51PM
dave said...
Fuckin' A Right!
10-18-2007 @ 10:59PM
dsgnrcj said...
People got grant money or were paid to do this study? Where do you go to get money to study unusual things like this? I would like to do a study on strip clubs followed by all-u-can-eat-seafood buffet restaurants, would someone fund this for me? Swearing in the workplace is always unprofessional and creates a hostile work environment. End of study!
10-19-2007 @ 3:09AM
Evalyne said...
I think sweariing should be prohibited not only in the work place but everwhere. There are people who are sensitive to such dirty language, they should be concidered. If they are exposed to this talk it might be detrimental to their mental health.
10-19-2007 @ 5:07AM
Bona said...
Headline mentioned profanity, which is taking the name of God in vane.
Vulgarity is using swear words like the F word or toilet words, etc.
Big difference. I don't use profanities, but I do use vulgarities when I am not near children or at work.
10-19-2007 @ 6:33AM
DAN said...
WHY NOT - IT WORKED PERFECTLY FINE BEFORE THIS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS BULLSHIT CAME IN AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, MORE WORK GOT DONE WHEN YOU CALLED A SLACKER A F'ING LAZY AS SHOLE TOO
10-19-2007 @ 6:37AM
DAN said...
BONA - CHILDREN COULD TEACH YOU A FEW NEW WORDS - THEY LEARN THEM AT SCHOOL FROM OTHER KIDS - WITH THAT SAID STOP MAKING CHILDREN SO PURE AND PERFECT AND GO BANG YOUR FAT HEAD AGAINST YOUR BIBLE
10-19-2007 @ 9:26AM
Cecil Jones said...
I used to work where communication is essential to the bottom line and the product produced. The office failed to communicate based on fear, racial stereotypes, and management intimidation. I tried to change things and guess what? I got fired for no reason. The white guy I worked with stabbed me in the back. He was afraid of losing his job and management targeted me. He got a promotion, but he still can't communicate with "The Bro's." We were far more productive and losing my job makes me want to cuss. It wouldn't do me any good. In an office ruled by quotas, the head negro is the target. I feel like "Cornelius" and that job was on the Planet of the Apes. I lost my voice and got beat down.
10-21-2007 @ 10:12PM
thomasecw said...
Profanity is used in public by those who have a very limited vocabulary.
10-22-2007 @ 2:38AM
Steve C Wilson said...
I just came across your blog. Very interesting. While I would never advocate censoring profanity in the workplace, I think it is a classless act. Those who use profanity lose the respect of their peers and damage their career prospects. l wrote about this topic in my blog last February: http://waypoint.wordpress.com/2007/02/05/5/ Thanks for adding to the discussion.