“Mr Trump, f*** off”, declared Anders Vistisen, a Danish member of the European Parliament, during a recent meeting in Strasbourgafter. The expletive heard around the world came after the freshly reinstated US president once again expressed interest in purchasing the island of Greenland.

Would you ever swear at work? The average UK employee hears 11 swear words a day, according to new research from The Leadership Factor, with the F-word found to be the most commonly used expletive.

A quarter of the 1,800 workers polled said they rarely restrained themselves from swearing, only occasionally self-censoring for fear of offending a colleague. Meanwhile, only 19 percent admitted they tried never to swear in front of colleagues.

Despite negative connotations of vulgarity and unprofessionalism, studies suggest that swearing in the workplace can sometimes offer some surprising benefits.

Swearing can help you better understand your colleagues

University of East Anglia research from 2007 explored the potential positive impacts of swearing in the workplace. Professor Yehuda Baruch, professor of management and graduate Stuart Jenkins found that, when used appropriately and without malice, swearing can help to develop personal relationships between colleagues.

They explained this is because, for employees who are used to swearing in their daily life outside of work, it could reflect part of the employee’s personality. Suppressing this personal aspect could create a barrier between employees, preventing them from really properly connecting or getting to know one another. It was also found to be a stress reliever, helping employees to manage pressure more effectively.

Interestingly, swearing was found to be more common among lower-level employees – with managers and those in executive positions less likely to swear.

It could reflect an extensive vocabulary

Were you ever told that swearing is a sign of limited vocabulary? A new study from Kristin L. Jay at Marist College and Timothy B. Jay at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in the United States, challenges that assumption – and even suggests that the opposite could be true.

The study found that people who are proficient in general vocabulary are also likely to be fluent in taboo words. Rather than reflecting a lack of language skills, the ability to use expressive words—like expletives—may be a sign of verbal fluency. The research also noted that personality traits play a role in the use of taboo language: individuals who are more open or neurotic tend to swear more, while those who are agreeable or conscientious use it less.

Depending on the context, it can strengthen workplace relationships

Research by Danette Ifert Johnson, a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Ithaca College, explored how swearing among colleagues impacts workplace relationships. Her research revealed that, while swearing can clearly have negative impacts on workplace relationships, violating workplace norms and expectations, it can – in some cases – also help to strengthen relationships. It depends on the context and the people involved.

In some cases, it may be perceived negatively, potentially harming the relationship. In other contexts, swearing can be seen as a form of camaraderie or solidarity, thereby strengthening your relationship with a colleague.

Johnson suggests assessing the context of swearing—such as your relationship with the person, the setting, and the perceived appropriateness—before deciding whether to swear at work.

But it’s not all positive…

While there may be some potential benefits to swearing at work, it isn’t without its downsides. Recent data from the global employment platform Indeed, surveyed over 1000 employees and 500 employers in the UK, and found that 1 in 5 employees are avoiding the office to avoid the annoying behaviour of co-workers.

This behaviour included gossiping, talking too much about their personal lives, flirting, micromanaging and, of course, swearing. For this reason, many employees are opting for remote work to avoid interactions with ‘irritating’ colleagues.

Perhaps unsurprisingly then, this shift to remote work has transformed social dynamics within a workplace, with 27 percent of employees surveyed saying they never meet colleagues for a drink after work. On average, socialising with colleagues now occurs only once a month.

This shift may explain why over 60% of companies in the US alone say they will enlist the help of etiquette training firms, like Meier’s, to teach employees how to dress appropriately for the office, interact with clients, and respect shared spaces in 2024, found Resume Builder’s survey of over 1,500 leaders. 

So, should you swear at work?

While swearing at work can carry negative connotations and potentially disrupt professional relationships, it also has surprising benefits, such as encouraging authenticity, relieving stress, and strengthening connections in certain situations.

Ultimately, the key to using swearing effectively in the workplace lies in context, appropriateness, and the relationships between colleagues.

However, as remote work continues to rise, maintaining a respectful and professional environment—whether in the office or online—has become increasingly important for promoting positive workplace dynamics in today’s changing work culture.

By, Chloë Lane

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