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Office Expletives: H--- Yeah!
A British university researcher swears profanity is good for blowing off steam.
LONDON, Oct. 18, 2007 — -- Having a bad day at work? Rather than letting the frustration build, you might want to try belting out a well-timed expletive right there in the office.
New research from the British University of East Anglia suggests that dropping a few choice curse words at work might be a good way to let off steam. The researchers say swearing can be an effective way to reduce anxiety and increase social solidarity, and they suggest executives take note.
"For some people, the use of profanity is a way to create collegiality," Yehuda Baruch, professor of management at the institution's Norwich Business School and one of the directors of the study, told ABC News. "For others, it's a way to relieve stress."
"This is a message to managers," Baruch continued. "When people feel better, the group feels better. It's a win-win situation."
The study, which focused on management and leadership style and was published in a British business journal this month, used six English and American focus groups composed mainly of students to gather information. Though many of the participants were "quite young," Baruch said, many had at least part-time or full-time work experience.
While the study showed both men and women use swearing as a way to cut stress, Baruch warns that cursing shouldn't be allowed in all situations.
"If anybody is offended, it should be banned," Baruch said, adding that when customers or senior staff is present, the use of profanity is not acceptable.
"But," Baruch continued, "if everybody is happy with it, and we want our people to be happy, then we should be able to live with it."
But not everyone agrees that using bad language to vent frustration at work is a good idea.
"That kind of aggressive behavior intimidates people and violates their space," said Robert Perkins, president of the management consulting firm Corporate Psychology and visiting professor of management at Mercer University. "It pollutes the environment."
"I think you've got to bring a skepticism to that kind of study," Perkins continued, adding that more emotionally sensitive employees could be especially offended by swearing, but may not be inclined to speak up.
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