Thursday, October 18, 2007

Swear Like a Sailor - It's Good For Morale!

In most offices, swearing is considered a "no no", and highly discouraged, if not reprimanded. However, according to a report in the Globe & Mail, a team of British researchers have found that swearing in the office can actually help boost employee morale.

I can believe it: if you're apt to swearing in the office, it's highly likely that you work in an environment, and with people, for which you feel comfortable. After all, dirty words wouldn't be spewing from your mouth in front of just anyone! Sure, it would be déclassé to even think of engaging in such behaviour when there are visitors in the office or meetings taking place. But if it's just you and the team, why hold back when you're frustrated? As long as no one is offended, go ahead and break out a few choice words if your PC crashes, or you're under a lot of stress with deadlines!

Interestingly, the study discovered that hospital nurses were one of the top offending groups (yet they're always pleasant around patients, right?); and women overall actually swear as much, if not more, than men. Other industries that were high on the swearing list included restaurants and construction sites.

"The researchers hope that the study will serve not only to acknowledge the part that swearing plays in our work and our lives," cited the Globe report, "but also to indicate that leaders sometimes need to think differently and be open to intriguing idea."

Translation: an office with a more open environment where people feel they can speak candidly (so long as its not abusive or offensive to anyone) can help ease the stress of a day's work.
$&%@, ya!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think that's probably the best $#%@ study to %$#^ come out of the UK. My only %$#@ comment Christine, is why restrict your %$#!@ trash mouth to when you are %^&*$ frustrated when you can %$#^ let loose for ^%$ joy, $#@!& happiness or simply to just $#@%& get your point across!!? That's all I #$%$#&*^@ have to say.

Have a great $#%@ day and keep up the good work.