DIE-HARD users of foul language may go hoarse arguing for freedom of speech (and undoubtedly their arguments will be peppered with a litany of choicest expletives!), but profanities really have no place in the genteel world of good manners. Civility and good manners have been generally on a decline, with language especially taking the worst beating. The use of slang and four-letter words at the workplace has become as common as water cooler gossip. Whether it is a slow Internet, a pressing deadline or just the banging of the shin against a table, we do not think twice before letting fly a slew of swear words. Anything and everything from job stress, frustration and bad bosses to fear and excitement finds expression in four-letter words. In fact in a recent survey, 89% of the people said that swearing is habitual with them.
With swearing becoming part of common parlance, using profane language has come to be seen as quite harmless. However, many people fail to realise that use of such language in the workplace smacks of unprofessional behaviour and makes one unpleasant to work with. Usage of the `gutter language' offends many and creates a negative or hostile work environment. This can sometimes lead to harassment lawsuits too.
Breaking the habit
People who are in the habit of swearing have to realise that using bad language may have its shock value, but it can also create interpersonal conflicts. Rude talk and expressions will always put off customers. Though people may not complain, the damage is done. So, clean up your act fast before you get the sobriquet of official gutter -mouth. Here are a few pointers to break the habit:
1. Be calm and control your emotions in the face of difficult situations, delays and disappointments. Let your choice of words reflect your rational and mature thinking.
2. Swearing will not make things better. Try to be patient and take things lightly.
3. Accept daily challenges head-on by switching negative thoughts into positive solutions. After all, the problem with swearing is not so much in the words as the tone and attitude reflected behind them
4. Try to use clean language and think before you speak to be able to put your point across politely
5. Imagine someone swearing at you and you will realise how offensive it really sounds. Develop the self-awareness that will make you opt for civility in deference to others' sentiments.
6. Express yourself better by replacing the oaths with inventive, harmless and less objectionable substitute words. As someone rightly said, `If nothing says it better than a swear word, say nothing!'
Taming the employees' tongues
James O'Connor who runs the Cuss Control Academy and author of `Cuss Control: The Complete Book on How to Curb Your Cussing' advices, `Companies need to deal with foul language not only as far as legal issues are concerned, but also because it presents a bad image'. Good language creates an amiable environment, which is less hostile and more conducive to self-motivation and self-performance. This is what the management can do:
1. Have a formal anti-cursing policy and a language code of ethics to control abusive verbal attacks in the workplace. Outline the disciplinary action for persistent violators.
2. Inaction and tolerance is silent encouragement; take fair and controlled action.
3. Make sure that you practice what you preach and lead by example.
Arrange a private, face-to-face talk with the chronic offender to apprise him of the repercussions of using inappropriate language. Arrange counselling if required; termination is the last resort if the employee refuses to mend his ways (read words).
4. Many organisations organise training programmes to `clean employees' mouths' and control their habitual swearing.
The management cannot expect total abstinence; the aim is to tone down the language to maintain propriety in public behaviour. As one HR expert says, `The goal of the policy is not to restrict anyone. But if something accidentally comes out and I hear it, I will ask the employee to apologise.' One must know where to draw the line as an occasional expletive may slip out without you knowing it.
With swearing becoming part of common parlance, using profane language has come to be seen as quite harmless. However, many people fail to realise that use of such language in the workplace smacks of unprofessional behaviour and makes one unpleasant to work with. Usage of the `gutter language' offends many and creates a negative or hostile work environment. This can sometimes lead to harassment lawsuits too.
Breaking the habit
People who are in the habit of swearing have to realise that using bad language may have its shock value, but it can also create interpersonal conflicts. Rude talk and expressions will always put off customers. Though people may not complain, the damage is done. So, clean up your act fast before you get the sobriquet of official gutter -mouth. Here are a few pointers to break the habit:
1. Be calm and control your emotions in the face of difficult situations, delays and disappointments. Let your choice of words reflect your rational and mature thinking.
2. Swearing will not make things better. Try to be patient and take things lightly.
3. Accept daily challenges head-on by switching negative thoughts into positive solutions. After all, the problem with swearing is not so much in the words as the tone and attitude reflected behind them
4. Try to use clean language and think before you speak to be able to put your point across politely
5. Imagine someone swearing at you and you will realise how offensive it really sounds. Develop the self-awareness that will make you opt for civility in deference to others' sentiments.
6. Express yourself better by replacing the oaths with inventive, harmless and less objectionable substitute words. As someone rightly said, `If nothing says it better than a swear word, say nothing!'
Taming the employees' tongues
James O'Connor who runs the Cuss Control Academy and author of `Cuss Control: The Complete Book on How to Curb Your Cussing' advices, `Companies need to deal with foul language not only as far as legal issues are concerned, but also because it presents a bad image'. Good language creates an amiable environment, which is less hostile and more conducive to self-motivation and self-performance. This is what the management can do:
1. Have a formal anti-cursing policy and a language code of ethics to control abusive verbal attacks in the workplace. Outline the disciplinary action for persistent violators.
2. Inaction and tolerance is silent encouragement; take fair and controlled action.
3. Make sure that you practice what you preach and lead by example.
Arrange a private, face-to-face talk with the chronic offender to apprise him of the repercussions of using inappropriate language. Arrange counselling if required; termination is the last resort if the employee refuses to mend his ways (read words).
4. Many organisations organise training programmes to `clean employees' mouths' and control their habitual swearing.
The management cannot expect total abstinence; the aim is to tone down the language to maintain propriety in public behaviour. As one HR expert says, `The goal of the policy is not to restrict anyone. But if something accidentally comes out and I hear it, I will ask the employee to apologise.' One must know where to draw the line as an occasional expletive may slip out without you knowing it.
Tempting as it may sound, the management cannot wash employees' mouths with soap. Instead, they can heed to Mr. O'Connor's suggestion, `Pretend that your sweet little grandmother or your young daughter is always next to you!'
PAYAL CHANANIA
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