Swearing at work

[Butttons]

We have a new woman who joined our team a few months ago. She's good at her job, has lots of confidence etc, a bit bolshy, doesn't suffer fools or take any crap but, and here's my AIBU, she swears All. Day. Long. Not in front of clients (she's very professional) but in the general office it's effing this, effing that, he's being a c, she's being a c. Our mutual boss never likes being outdone and raises her potty mouth game to match. Most days they're both in the office are a real earache. I, and several others, find it really distracting and frankly quite off putting. A colleague has complained to one of the senior directors and been advised to "just get some noise-cancelling headphones"

I've applied for an internal transfer and will be transitioning to a different team at the end of the month so will be out of this aggressive atmosphere, but I can't help wondering why people like this obnoxious woman (and my STBXboss) seem to get ahead, and get away, with being so rude and obnoxious. I try and not to be like this, because I just feel like a nicer person at the end of the day. I've nothing against swearing, I just don't really swear so much at work I suppose. It doesn't really bother me except when it's so relentless and aggressive. AIBU to do anything about this? I'm leaving the team so it's not a long term issue for me but I'm a bit disheartened that senior management did not consider it seriously to my colleague.

If you are leaving, then leave well alone. You never know when you may end up working for these people in the future!

Maybe it is just her way of talking. I know some people who are like this and they do not meant be rude. It is just their way of talking. Did you ask her not to swear?

She’s good at her job and she’s professional with the clients, unless it’s aggressively directed at you in the way of ‘fuck off Buttons you’re a total cunt’ at which point I completely see why you’d be upset, you should let it go. I used to work on a trading floor though so I find it difficult to see why anyone would be bothered by a bit of swearing. And I agree with DairyQueen, if you’re likely leaving any way then all the more reason not to complain, you won’t have to hear it for much longer and getting HR involved will only burn bridges.

She sounds like me

Some people
Swear
It’s a habit but I can’t stop 🛑

I’m a swearer too I’m afraid. For me it’s a healthier way of venting frustrations and stress.

I’m about to start a new job so going to try and curb it as i recognise it’s not pleasant for others. I say this with every job I go into though and chances are I’m effing and jeffing by the end of week 2 😂

I swear too. A lot. I can’t understand why it’s offensive to others, as long as it’s not personal. It’s a habit, too long being the only female at work haha

I'm a bit of a swearer unfortunately. Would never use the c word at work though.

I wouldn't consider swearing to be aggressive as such, so when you describe her as aggressive, is there other parts of her behaviour you dislike?

The reality of life is unfortunately I've learned over the years is that you do have to be pushy to a certain extent to get ahead in certain places. I think since my 30's, having kids and some other changes, I've definitely become more no-nonsense myself. Not less polite, if anything more so. But a lot less willing to tolerate crap from others.

I sometimes wish I worked in a swearier place so I didn’t stand out so much

Must try trading I am sales

I think too much swearing is pretty horrible. From man or woman. There are so many other words to express yourself.

I work in a sweary office.. it’s cathartic. I’d hate to work in a stifled environment... swearing is a kind of release.

Omg my colleagues and I used to swear constantly in my last role. I remember having a 5 minute long discussion on how customers were ficks lol

I think you should let it go

YADNBU. I would hate it.
It's horrible and unnecessary.
What an awful environment.

I don't think it reflects well on people who have no control of the language they use, or alternatively make the choice to use bad language deliberately. It's not appropriate for the workplace.

It would make me think twice about promoting someone like this within my organisation as it's not my idea of demonstrating good leadership qualities nor role modelling cohesive behaviours.

NotAsGreenAsCabbageLooking
we are kindered spirits.
I swear. A lot.

OP you clearly hate it, just keep quiet and get out of there no good will come of pushing this and you may encounter them again.

I think it would be the aggression that would bother me. There's using colourful language and there's being aggressive about everyone around you. The former is fine the latter is off-putting.

Our office is quite sweary. The Irish contingent say that the c-word is akin to 'bitch' so not so terrible (I never use it though).

Even when I worked for the Cofe there was a fair bit of swearing (yes, even the vicar).

As long as she's not swearing AT people, I don't see the issue, tbh.

Swearing is a great way of venting and relieving stress. I work in a very sweary team. We've had to start sharing our office with other teams, not so sweary, who are office-based, and don't have to deal with the sort of distressing stuff we do, and people are finding it really hard when they come in to offload after a difficult or upsetting visit.

We used to have a little meeting room where we would go for a proper sweary rant, but that's been taken over too. We use the back staircase now, which is probably even less appropriate as there are other organisations in the building who use it.

I've never worked in an office where swearing was considered acceptable and I think you're doing the right thing by transferring to another department. Swearing is a form of aggression and when it negatively affects the atmosphere within a department, then any complaints should be taken seriously by senior management and investigated properly.

YANBU. I think swearing in the actual workplace creates the impression of a slovenly and unprofessional environment.

Unfortunately we only get to decide this for ourselves so you may still have to deal with it after you move.

I can’t stand people who are incapable of talking without swearing every sentence

Stopfuckingshoutingatme Ever tried to use a swear jar?

I’d be skint ! I don’t really like it in me though and would like to cut down