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Original poster

Is it ok for a manager to swear at you?

33 replies

Letelegraphe · 14/07/2026 07:19

I know everyone has off days, but I don't personally find it acceptable. He didn't swear at me specifically, but at the team. Over something trivial admin-wise, he said "Can you all just do this properly, JFC!'.
I was shocked, I am leaving soon anyway, I've never experienced that before. Would it be ok for us to swear at management? I doubt it.
I'm finding that they've got their senior management on their backs and constantly passing the pressure down to us, another reason I'm out.

OP posts:
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StormInaDcup99 · 14/07/2026 10:57

Its awful OP....especially blasphemy like that.

But I get what you say...that it might be held against you.

I very very rarely swear, but can take the swearing at work, although I dislike it Its the blasphemy I especially struggle with. I have told my manager I dislike his blasphemy. I might as well talk to the wall.

People seem ok to disrespect Christianity but not so much other religions.

Telemicus · 14/07/2026 10:50

It isn't ideal, but it also isn't all that bad. Nobody is perfect, especially not coworkers or bosses. Just roll your eyes at the unprofessional conduct if you like, then get on with your life.

Cherrysoup · 14/07/2026 10:47

You know it's not OK. If a manager swore at me, there'd be a complaint made. I'm in teaching, dunno if it's the same in other lines of work, but managers here and in all my other schools over the years have never sworn, nor have I when a manager/head of faculty.

I know the language on my dh's team was awful when he was in charge and he put a stop to it, it wasn't appropriate to make sexual comments re someone's mum etc!

Gardenandseawitch · 14/07/2026 10:47

No, it is never acceptable.

Report to HR.

purplecorkheart · 14/07/2026 10:43

In a previous job the boss would swear at us all, normally about things that were out of our control - client requests etc. It was soul destroying. I used to vomit facing into work every morning.

UpDownAllAround1 · 14/07/2026 10:39

Fuck knows

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 14/07/2026 10:37

Letelegraphe · 14/07/2026 07:50

I don't trust he's someone who won't make things difficult for you if you challenge him in any way unfortunately.

Well then report him to HR for both those swearing incidences. But as he hasn’t targeted you directly and just the team it’s not like it’s personal.

MissMoneyFairy · 14/07/2026 10:36

What was the task, how many times had it been done incorrectly, why wasn't it done?

RoseOliviaAu · 14/07/2026 10:28

I wouldn’t enjoy that but I’d let him off seeing as it wasn’t directed at anyone.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 14/07/2026 09:57

I've worked in several law firms and only in one have a witnessed a partner swearing at a junior team member.

He (the partner) was off work with an ulcer a few months later than subsequently retired.

Original poster
Letelegraphe · 14/07/2026 09:24

I'm just a bit annoyed about the double standards. If any of us swore at him for something he had or hadn't done, I just don't imagine it'd go down well

OP posts:
Original poster
Letelegraphe · 14/07/2026 09:23

FudgeFudy · 14/07/2026 09:20

I hope you're not leaving to get a job at a law firm!

Luckily not!

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DeftGoldHedgehog · 14/07/2026 09:22

Criticising a group of people openly (even in general terms) in an non-constructive way is not exactly the best way to lift morale and performance either.

FudgeFudy · 14/07/2026 09:20

I hope you're not leaving to get a job at a law firm!

Original poster
Letelegraphe · 14/07/2026 09:17

I understand management is stressful and as I say he's clearly under constant pressure from the senior management, but I've never had it from any other manager in nearly 30 years.

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TappyGilmore · 14/07/2026 09:09

Depends on choice of swear words. I can’t be doing with blasphemy. I don’t find other swear words terribly inappropriate at work though. And I do think it’s important to note the difference between swearing at someone rather than just irritatedly exclaiming in frustration.

Buscobel · 14/07/2026 09:03

Since you’re leaving, I’d just accept that it’s how he is and focus on making the rest of your time there as positive as you can and look forward to your next job.

beefthief · 14/07/2026 08:25

Starting to understand his frustrations tbqhwy

Original poster
Letelegraphe · 14/07/2026 07:50

I don't trust he's someone who won't make things difficult for you if you challenge him in any way unfortunately.

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Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 14/07/2026 07:49

Letelegraphe · 14/07/2026 07:47

Yeah, poor guy. He should just keep swearing at us, very professional of him.

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So if you’re bothered tell him swearing isn’t acceptable or escalate to HR.

Original poster
Letelegraphe · 14/07/2026 07:48

I should've picked up on it earlier but I thought I'd just look like a troublemaker and it would cause a difficult relationship with him. I'm leaving for a few reasons but there's always been something slightly uncomfortable about him.

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Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 14/07/2026 07:48

AtIusvue · 14/07/2026 07:46

I think I can see why the guy was so exasperated…….

Me too sigh

Original poster
Letelegraphe · 14/07/2026 07:47

AtIusvue · 14/07/2026 07:46

I think I can see why the guy was so exasperated…….

Yeah, poor guy. He should just keep swearing at us, very professional of him.

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AtIusvue · 14/07/2026 07:46

I think I can see why the guy was so exasperated…….

Original poster
Letelegraphe · 14/07/2026 07:46

I'll ensure I swear at him then today when he moves another meeting yet again last minute. He should do it properly after all. We'll see how that goes down.

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