The modern workplace offers many opportunities for communications between employees. In addition to face-to-face conversations, there is email, telephone, and text messaging. In recent times, it is becoming common for workers to use unprofessional language in their communications with each other. Unprofessional language is using language that is not expected nor appropriate in a workplace by an employee creating an uncomfortable and sometimes hostile environment. Unprofessional language comes in many forms from bullying to gossiping and all other language of disrespect towards one another. Cases of unprofessional language at work can be proven to have negative effects for the employees involved and for the work environment. By learning how
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This type of language has negative effects. Some examples are reduced self-esteem, health problems, work withdrawal and absence and depression. When that kind language is used, it is upsetting and makes it hard to work in that environment. One way to help eliminate this unprofessional language is to provide periodic manager training to review best practices. The effect of degrading language in the workplace is confirmed by research which shows that “demeaning language drove people out of the organizations and sapped the effectiveness of those who remained” (Sutton, 29). Studies found that a lot these employees had manager who used put-downs, the silent treatment, and insults like “tells me I’m incompetent” and “tells me my thoughts and feelings are stupid” (Sutton 29). Degrading language is often use by “bullies” in the workplace. The damage caused by demeaning and degrading language is well documented. The harm inflicted on victims causing loss of energy, worth and self-esteem. The Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) research reveals that “one-half (51%) of organizations reported that there had been incidents of bullying in their workplace. The three most common outcomes of bullying incidents that organizations reported were decreased morale (68%), increased stress and/or depression levels (48%) and decreased trust among co-workers (45%)” (SHRM). Estimates show that U.S. businesses lose approximately $300 billion per year because of bullying. These effects include absenteeism, increased medical costs due to mental problems, loss of productivity and even family problems at home. Workplace bullying refers to repeated, unreasonable actions of individual or group directed towards an employee or employees which are intended to intimidate, degrade, humiliate creating a risk to the health or safety of the employee. Workplace bullying often involves an abuse or misuse of language.
This type of language has negative effects. Some examples are reduced self-esteem, health problems, work withdrawal and absence and depression. When that kind language is used, it is upsetting and makes it hard to work in that environment. One way to help eliminate this unprofessional language is to provide periodic manager training to review best practices. The effect of degrading language in the workplace is confirmed by research which shows that “demeaning language drove people out of the organizations and sapped the effectiveness of those who remained” (Sutton, 29). Studies found that a lot these employees had manager who used put-downs, the silent treatment, and insults like “tells me I’m incompetent” and “tells me my thoughts and feelings are stupid” (Sutton 29). Degrading language is often use by “bullies” in the workplace. The damage caused by demeaning and degrading language is well documented. The harm inflicted on victims causing loss of energy, worth and self-esteem. The Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) research reveals that “one-half (51%) of organizations reported that there had been incidents of bullying in their workplace. The three most common outcomes of bullying incidents that organizations reported were decreased morale (68%), increased stress and/or depression levels (48%) and decreased trust among co-workers (45%)” (SHRM). Estimates show that U.S. businesses lose approximately $300 billion per year because of bullying. These effects include absenteeism, increased medical costs due to mental problems, loss of productivity and even family problems at home. Workplace bullying refers to repeated, unreasonable actions of individual or group directed towards an employee or employees which are intended to intimidate, degrade, humiliate creating a risk to the health or safety of the employee. Workplace bullying often involves an abuse or misuse of language.