Cussing at Work

Anyone who knows me, knows that I can curse like a trucker in three languages. *grin*

There are some subjects which cause me to swear MORE (slow public transit, inconsiderate cell phone users, inconsiderate smokers, etc.) but there are many instances when I feel that "cussing" is not appropriate: church (I don't go often but when I do, I keep it clean), when I'm with my Mom, with I'm with my friends' Moms (unless they like to swear too), when I'm meeting people for the first time (usually) and at work (again, usually).

Occasionally, everyone lets fly with an expletive at work when they're frustrated, confused or when they discover a stupid mistake they've made. Paper cuts will also elicit a *$%# from me before I plop my finger into my mouth to stop myself from bleeding all over the files. And I've even heard lawyers swear (*gasp* -- yes, I know you're stunned!), but I've never heard language like I'm hearing in my new job. OMG!

So I started doing some research on the internet about this subject. FYI, it is not addressed in the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Ontario Employment Standards Act or the Health and Safety Act of Ontario. Some firms have "respect in the workplace" policies but most don't. While sexual harassment is a subject that is taken very seriously in every office I've ever worked in, respect for your fellow workers is not.

However, since profanity at work seems to be increasing, employers are starting to see the detrimental affects of such behaviour. The Cuss Control Academy covers it all. And while we're at it, let's discuss full-volume speaker-phone conversations with your door open, yelling for your assistant from your desk and not being able to get your own gosh-darn coffee!