Fri, 12 Sep 2014In some industries telling your boss to ‘eff off’ – to quote Princess Anne – would lead to disciplinary action. In others it’s seen as an efficient and concise way of communicating the pressure you’re under.   

According to an article in the Guardian, advertising, catering, probation and journalism [surely not?!] are four fields associated with colourful language. 

Sam Clapp, an account director at a major advertising agency, told the Guardian his whole office literally spend the whole time swearing at each other, but they never curse when speaking to clients. “It’s definitely a way of letting off steam”, he said.

Clapp also believes that swearing shows managers you care about your job and helps to create “pace and energy” in a deadline driven environment.

In contrast, Rob Cooper, head chef at gastro pub The Five Bells Inn in Kent, does not relate to the “Gordon Ramsay caricature.”

“If you’ve got someone who’s shouting all the time that just leads to chaos in the restaurant,” Cooper told the Guardian. “If people feel intimidated or bullied at any workplace then they should simply move on.”

So how blue is the language in the recruitment industry? Is swearing an effective way of venting stress and showing passion or is it a recipe for disaster? Do let us know – in the nicest possible way, of course!

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