Workplace profanity is offensive and unprofessional, say three-quarters of business employers, and nearly half say it can border on harassment. But 40 per cent let their own tongue slip from time to time, according to a survey by SurePayroll Inc.
Workplace profanity reflects popular culture, the bad manners of some public figures, and an increasingly casual workplace environment, said Michael Alter, president of SurePayroll.
A bad economy can fuel frustration and, in turn, colourful language.
“While pop culture is saying it’s more acceptable, business owners say it’s not,” Alter said. “The perception is there is more swearing in a blue-collar business, but the interesting thing in our data is that it was viewed as unacceptable across all businesses.”
Some senior leaders in large businesses actually believe it’s alright to swear within their own team. They’re smart enough to know it’s unacceptable to use with subordinate teams, but think its OK amongst themselves. Nothing could be further from the truth. The organization always finds out. When they do and realize that senior leadership treats each other that way, they inherently know that their leadership is lying about the “Respect others” in the standard corporate “Team Charter” …and if they lie about that!, what else do they lie about?
Frankly, swearing by any one with in an organization should never be tolerate and certainly people in leadership roles should NEVER swear. It makes you look ignorant at the very least and usually creates suspicion that you’re not intelligent enough to articulate critical messages without resorting to four letter words. Finally, but certainly not least, leaders have an obligation as role models.
Bosses often see their small business as an extension of family, and are mindful that they compete with large companies and need to put forward a professional image.
SurePayroll recommends starting a swear jar, with $1 donated for every breach of decorum, money that can then be donated to the team’s favourite charity.
The online payroll service also suggests replacing common vulgarities with phrases like “What the French toast?” or “brother trucker.”
How To Stop Swearing:
- Every time you catch a curse word coming out of your mouth, simply cover your mouth and say, “Oops. Bad [insert name here]!” After a few times, people will catch you and remind you of your “oops!”
- If the covering of the mouth thing doesn’t work or you feel silly doing it, there are other alternatives. One is the “Curse Jar” or “Swear Jar”. This technique was featured on an episode of The Simpsons. Basically, every time you let a curse word slip, place some change into the jar, usually a predetermined amount. I started mine with quarters and had to downgrade to nickels because I was going broke. The idea is to use the money in the jar for something special. Use the money in your work jar to donate to the charity your team supports. At home use the money for the other members of your family, maybe Disneyland or some other theme park. You can also use this in a team environment as long as you get consensus from the team before you implement it.
- Finally, if all else fails a slightly painful alternative that is meant to be used like Pavlov and his dogs could work. Place a rubber band on your wrist. Every time you curse snap it. Don’t do it hard so that it leaves welts, just do it hard enough you get the point. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TEENAGERS. Only responsible adults can handle this kind of conditioning.
Partial Source – Reuters
