Common knowledge says spewing out profanity-laden language to let out your frustrations at work isn't the best idea. That may be a misguided assumption, as a study published in the Leadership & Organization Development Journal has found that dropping a couple f-bombs on the job can actually go a long way. (h/t Business Insider)
The use of expletives in the workplace helps enhance group solidarity and serves as a mechanism for stress relief, according to the study conducted by researchers at the University of East Anglia. Researchers said that the interpretation of cuss words is more relevant than the “simplistic literal meaning.” The study acknowledged, however, that not all swearing is beneficial, such as that used to bully peers.
Journalists have become especially well known for taking advantage of these benefits, albeit accidentally. Indeed, an angry reporter or news anchor swearing on camera is nothing new. Just last month, a BBC weatherman swore after tripping during his weather forecast, and the incident went viral on YouTube.
Wall Street employees have also been known to tap into the cathartic benefits of letting loose with the language. But after a senior Goldman Sachs executive's email became infamous for referring to a mortgage deal as “sh**ty," Goldman banned all forms of profanity in emails and text messages from company devices. Citigroup and JPMorgan also have swearing policies, according to Forbes Magazine.
Cussing at work is not just limited to the private sector. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, a man said to have quite the potty mouth behind closed doors, delivered a profanity-laden speech to bank regulators about their failure to comply with the Obama administration's propositions to reform the financial regulatory system.