Swearing at work may be stalling your career

@CareerBuilder good advice!

@VioletJ The sad thing is that it has to be in writing! Are some employees that uneducated?

Frankly I am horribly unimpressed in ANY work place that tolerates cursing or profanity as common usage or acceptable speech. Whatever happened with plain old-fashioned ENGLISH?  Profanities or cursing just sound absolutely retarded. Okay, many of us get angered or frustrated at our work at times. It happens. Doesn't mean we cannot conduct ourselves professionally. Some of us really need to mature....

Oh shit, fucking good thing that I own both the businesses I work at... here's to being an ass-kicking entrepreneur.

How sad. There should not even need to be an article written on this, because it's never appropriate, ever, to swear at work.  You represent your company, regardless your position, whether you are at the office or out shopping, or anywhere. 

There are only two times I've sworn at work in my entire career-both to my immediate supervisor (and it was the "F" word). I was SO upset because of the circumstances, I had zero control over what I was saying.

@Quinn_BG so true!! Hope all is well!

@Quinn_BG @ETed28 Thought I would pass on the info :)

Smh at Lovemy54

@twitsanon thanks :) actually i don't swear at work. i have excellent manners & a good sense of decorum. but i thank you for thinking of me.

I'm confused  whom dictactes how we speak. The bible only says not to use gods name in vain. Society has forever told us when we can wear blk or white during season changes.I believe this is what's taking place with how we speak now. The religious seem to be the ones speaking out about what they call swearing at work. I thought religion and goverment are seperate? I'll continue to speak as I will...but never using gods name in vain.

I'm confused  whom dictactes how we speak. The bible only says not to use gods name in vain. Society has forever told us when we can wear blk or white during season changes.I believe this is what's taking place with how we speak now. The religious seem to be the ones speaking out about what they call swearing at work. I thought religion and goverment are seperate? I'll continue to speak as I will...but never using gods name in vain. We have sooo many other issues in the USA to deal with come on people....pick and chioce your battles.

I agree as well this is a relevant topic for those of us starting out career-wise. However, what also needs to be addressed is the utter lack of communication within the workplace about offensive language being offensive. People no longer utilize their natural, god-given ability of speech to voice their concerns in an adult manner a.k.a conflict resolution out of fear of conflict. Instead, there are polls and/or surveys that tell us what our fellow man is afraid to....I believe this is an example of the "undermining of trust and credibility" that exists within today's corporate workplace.

It may be a generalization, but, over the years in the workplace, I've noticed that swearing is used more often by younger employees and employees who were from the northeast.

With younger adults, it seems that using what is considered a "swear" word no longer has the shock value that in years previous they once held. F bombs are thrown around so often without consideration for others or the place. In other words, I hear these words being commonly used in the workplace as if these folks were in a tavern.

My feeling has always been that it is a matter of respect for another's feelings. Throughout my career, I have always maintained that I never use foul or swearing language in the presence of another. If that language is used by them upon me, then I figure they are now open game for my own foul language.

However, I stop short of linking the words with adjectives or adverbs that could be construed as a personal insult directed at a person(s) sex, ethnicity, religion, etc.

Lastly, I have been one known to admonish those who freely use their foul language in the presence of children or those who I know find it inconsiderat, unprofessional or dis-respectful.

I'm fucked

I am so glad to read an article on this. While it is directed to new job seekers, let me add that managers, directors, VP's and C-level should not use colorful language as well. The new and existing employes learn from them. In the past few years I have noticed in a few companies where managers, etc feel that because they are managers they can adopt a "do as I say, not as I do" style. That is a failure style of management, and any company that allows it in any capacity is promoting failure. It's time to buckle down in business and not only does it start with new employees, but existing ones, especially in management too.

"Profanity is the attempt of a feeble mind to express itself forceably..."

@MsGazell Sally that's bulls%*$!....(sorry I couldn't resist)

I went to a regional sales meeting in June where our senior management, as well as the C-Level executives from our vendor partners spoke, and each speaker (all but one was male) dropped the F-bomb in their speeches and used a liberal dose of other expletives along the way.  At our company, if you don't curse, you're not part of the 'in crowd.'  This is a 150 year old multi-million dollar company recognized as one of Forbes 'most trustworthy.' I don't particularly like the cursing, but it's the culture.  It may also have something to do with being in New England . . . where curse words are common and far less offensive, the way they seem to be in Old England.

I moved to Massachusetts from Illinois, where cursing is not heard very much (especially if you're a woman, men probably curse amongst themselves more), and on my first visit to a doctor's office I was greeted by an elderly receptionist who angrily slammed down the phone, looked at me and said, "Jesus F***ing Christ!" 

I was shocked. 

But now I'm used to it.

I agree as well this is a relevant topic for those of us starting out career-wise. However, what also needs to be addressed is the utter lack of communication within the workplace about offensive language being offensive. People no longer utilize their natural, god-given ability of speech to voice their concerns in an adult manner a.k.a conflict resolution out of fear of conflict. Instead, there are polls and/or surveys that tell us what our fellow man is afraid to....I believe this is an example of the "undermining of trust and credibility" that exists within today's corporate workplace.

More men in Atlanta and Minneapolis swear than New York or Philly?  Hard to believe

@brewner fuck. Someone should have told me that shit years ago.

What was the universe of swear words used in CareerBuilder's sample?

It's a pity that this article doesn't consider that offensive language doesn't necessarily include the use of swear words. Sometimes the most apparently polite comment, when used in a negative context, can definitely be just as damaging.

This American definition of a black and white world (swear vs no swear) is a pitiful simplification of the real working environment. I would definitely as an employer never diminish someone's promotion regarding on their use of swear words. Actually, the use of swear words can improve the workplace when used as an escape of stress situations. Let's learn not to see the picture in black and white, and let's be wise enough to analyse the situation in full blown colour and space, as it deserves to be witnessed.

Some of the most talented people I've ever seen swear sometimes, because the demand for perfection carries with it a huge load of stress. It's not necessarily directed to anyone, but used as a steam exhaust.

If other employers and employees don't know how to deal with this reality, it is revealing of a lack of capacity to understand human nature, and therefore shows also lack of leadership. Most of the great leaders also cursed occasionaly. I am an occasional curser myself, but I have never had a complaint by anyone, because I never directed any curse to anyone in any offensive way.

Let's all grow up a bit and see the world in color.

My best,

D.

@CareerBuilder You can get away with cussing the higher up you are on the totem pole.

@CareerBuilder umm. I remember a boss fr my past that threw in a curse word or 2 during meetings. They were positive meetings, 2. @UberFacts

This is a relevant topic for our current and prospective students. Being mindful of workplace language isn't necessarily as intuitive for many of today's employees as it used to be, say 20 years ago.Yet even in the most relaxed office environment using curse words can really undermine credibility and trust. Thanks for focusing on this and reminding us that we need to be sharing this type of direct guidance with our students.