Employers could ’curse’ workplace swearing due to risk of tribunals, says Croner

Recent research that encourages swearing in the workplace could actually put employers at risk of employment tribunals says Croner, a part of Wolter Kluwers UK.

The research, by the University of East Anglia, showed that swearing at work will boost team spirit among staff, allowing them to express their feelings better.

However Croner believes that encouraging this behaviour will have a far more detrimental affect.

In fact, the use of swearing can be very offensive and could be seen by others in the workplace as sexually or racially discriminatory ñ a situation that could see employers facing claims under a whole host of legislation which protects employees from unfair treatment in the workplace.

Alan Phillips, business support helpline manager with Croner, said: ìAlthough we are not advising employers to alienate their staff by coming down hard on harmless loose-lipped banter, employers should be discouraging, rather than promoting, swearing throughout their workforce as it could become the cause of grievances from employees that feel discriminated against because of a racial slur or offensive swear words.

ìEncouraging a blanket no swearing policy is much easier to implement and would also ensure that no level of the workforce feels itís being treated differently. We would always advise putting ëinclusiveí policies in place, whether prohibitive or permissive, when it comes to employment issues.

ìAfter all, someone elseís ëconversationalí swear word could be a vulgar swear word to someone else, and other peopleís values need to be respected in the work environment.î

The research also stated that swearing in the workplace helped express frustration, stress or other feelings.

Alan continues: ìIf employees are found to be swearing due to stress we would actually advise employers to get to the root of the problem rather than accepting this as a good form of relief.

ìThere are more practical ways to deal with stress than encouraging vocal expression in the form of potentially offensive language.

ìWhile employers should deal with stress in the workplace on an individual basis, there are also preventive initiatives they can implement. Running courses that inform employees of how to handle stress is a great way to encourage positive stress relief activities, such as taking a fifteen minute walk outside or taking time to prioritise tasks, as well as making staff feel appreciated within the workplace.î