Swearing can seem like second nature in certain work situations, such as missing a deadline. Are there occasions when profanity is acceptable, or even beneficial, in the workplace?

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post contains examples of language that may be offensive to some readers.

Language that was once considered taboo is becoming more mainstream. Simply listen to the words that were once bleeped or banned on TV just 10 or 15 years ago that are no longer censored today. The comfort level with cursing has also started to spill over into the workplace.

After its executives were forced to listen to a United States senator read the words “shitty deal” from a company e-mail nearly a dozen times earlier this year, Goldman Sachs last week decided to ban swearing via e-mail.

Are there occasions when profanity can be acceptable, or even useful, in the workplace?

Banning profanity might be considered a form of strong leadership, but some research cautions that it could tear apart workers’ sense of solidarity and decrease morale and work motivation. A 2007 study, in particular, analyzed the use of profanity on the job and its workplace etiquette implications, and found that regular profanity on the job allows staff to express their feelings better.

For their study, published in the journal Leadership and Organizational Development, two researchers from the University of East Anglia in England surveyed existing literature on why, when and how people swear in professional settings and conducted focus groups to better understand the practice. One of the authors also went undercover as a temp worker at a British mail-order warehouse, where he observed workers’ use of profanity and tested its effects.

The authors, Yehuda Baruch and Stuart Jenkins, divide workplace profanity into two types: “social swearing,” generally used in casual conversation and not meant to be hurtful; and “annoyance swearing,” the “Oh shit” variety that is particularly common in high-stress work environments.

Baruch and Jenkins see value in both types of usage. Social swearing “can serve to manifest and signal solidarity,” they write, while annoyance swearing “provides a ‘relief mechanism’ for the release of stress and tension.”

The study notes that organizations in which there is social swearing among men are characterized by “a lively boisterous communication style with friendly insults.” (Think about a football locker room.)

However, when it comes to women, there is somewhat of a double standard. “Female swearers are often perceived to be of low moral standing,” the researchers write. The study also shows that men can gain points by using profanity on the job, but they tend to tone it down around women as a display of workplace etiquette.

Then there is “annoyance” swearing, where you may hear a coworker quietly curse to himself on the other side of your cubicle because of some unexpected mishap, such as stubbing a toe or a malfunctioning computer. The researchers say this can be a healthy way for employees to blow off steam.

Bob Sutton, a professor of management science and engineering at Stanford University, agrees, saying that there are some instances when “strategic use of swearing in the workplace” can be justified. For example, at some places, swearing in private meetings is fine but is otherwise frowned upon.

Moreover, Sutton writes, “swearing on rare occasions can be very effective for the shock value. If you swear constantly, then people will barely notice it. But when you do it rarely, it can have a big effect.”

Of course, the fact that profanity is no longer taboo does not give full license to be a rampant potty mouth.

The British authors warn that repeated occurrences of swearing, not to mention threats and verbal abuse, can lead to depression, stress, low morale, absenteeism, retention problems and sluggish productivity.

In addition, a 2009 survey conducted by online payroll service SurePayroll found that most small-business owners prefer to keep workplace language clean, no matter how tough current business conditions may be. Three out of four business owners found workplace profanity to be offensive and believe it is unprofessional for employees to curse while on the clock. According to the survey, 80 percent of respondents believe that even seemingly innocent on-the-job swearing can be interpreted the wrong way and have negative consequences.

Only 11 percent of SurePayroll’s survey respondents said swearing on the job could act as an office morale booster.

“This is a matter of individual company policy, not employment law,” LaborLawCenter’s Human Resource Blog says. “There is no federal or state law that prevents profanity in the workplace, partly because it is difficult to get people to agree on a definition of profanity.

“Some employers would not see it as a problem, and others would see it as a violation of company policy,” the blog continues. “Many companies do have rules against swearing, profane or offensive language or disrespectful conduct. Profanity may be a problem if it is an indication of discrimination.”

Beverly Langford, president of management consultancy LMA Communications and author of The Etiquette Edge agrees, telling online compensation-information firm PayScale, “Those who curse or use offensive language around subordinates and co-workers may be indulging in a form of verbal bullying that borders on abuse. Aside from creating an unpleasant environment, this behavior also carries legal risk, as it can easily be construed as harassment.”

Even Sutton, the author of a book with a mildly dirty title, makes clear that it is important to be aware of the formal policy and informal environment as they relate to cussing in the workplace.

“The norms of the group or organization are crucial,” Sutton writes. “If you are not sure, don’t do it.”

What do you think? Is it acceptable to use workplace profanity as a bonding device or a way to boost morale?

Related: The Civilized Workplace: No Jerks Allowed

Resources

Levin Repeatedly References “Sh**ty Deal” at Goldman Hearing
by Brian Montopoli
Political Hotsheet (CBS News), April 27, 2010

George Carlin Never Would’ve Cut it at the New Goldman Sachs
by Cassell Bryan-Low and Aaron Lucchetti
The Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2010

Swearing at Work and Permissive Leadership Culture: When Anti-Social Becomes Social and Incivility is Acceptable
by Yehuda Baruch and Stuart Jenkins
Leadership & Organization Development Journal, (Vol. 28 Iss. 6) 2007

Strategic Use of Swearing in the Workplace
by Bob Sutton
Work Matters, June 18, 2010

Should Leaders Ever Swear?
by Dan McGinn
Our Editors blog (Harvard Business Review), June 14, 2010

Small Business Owners Say Workplace Profanity Doesn’t Fly
SurePayroll, May 18, 2009

Profanity at Work Place
Human Resource Blog (LaborLawCenter), Feb. 24, 2009

What the Bleep? Swearing at Work Can Inspire Teamwork
by Jennifer Waters
MarketWatch, Oct. 18, 2007

Allowing Profanity in the Workplace Can Be Risky Business
by Katie Beard
Pittsburgh Business Times, Jan. 4, 2002

Workplace Etiquette: Profanity on the Job
by Cherie Berkley
PayScale.com, September 2008