warning at work for swearing

[Slavetolove]

I was called into the office for a warning the other day. I'm a support worker and was speaking to another member of staff when clients were in their bedroom. I can't even remember the conversation at all but I think I said the world fuck/fuck off but not towards the staff member, it was just in conversation.

I swear, but I'm strict on myself to not swear in front of clients. The member of staff reported me. I was ripped a new one. Because the clients were in the house it was meant it was around them and because its their house. The owner had a huge go at me saying there would be no way I would be allowed to swear in his house.
one member of staff said she said "bloody hell" in front of a client yesterday but nothing was said.
im so embarrassed. I'm bloody good at my job.

[inmyslippers]

I find this really bizarre I worked in care for years and have never known anyone to get Into trouble for swearing. Gallows humour and straight talking seemed to be the norm

[user1999952776]

Don’t worry about it, just forget it and move on and be careful next time

[CristinaYangismySpiritAnimal]

The colleague who reported you is a dick.

[MichelleScarn]

It's good that you are taking the responsibility, but the reporting directly to management without even having a chat with you is awful.

[sweeneytoddsrazor]

Pretty mean thing of your colleague, only reason I can think of is maybe they were covering their own back in case the client had heard from the other room and reported both of you.

[PivotPivotPivottt]

I can see the management's point telling you not to swear. Sounds like they overeacted though considering it was in private but still fair enough to ask you not to. I can't believe your colleague told on you though. That's what's most embarrassing in this story.

[Thefuturestory]

I’d be looking to leave if a fellow colleague couldn’t raise something direct with me at the time and went running to management. That kind of atmosphere is toxic.

[Viviennemary]

Clean up your language. If you swear constantly as a matter of course in every day life it will inevitably slip out without you even thinking.

[Almostmenopausal]

That's shocking that your colleague went running to your boss to 'tell on you' for saying a naughty word, like a little school girl!

"Mr Boss, {OP's name} said fuck....." 🤨🤨🤨🙄

[blubberyboo]

Forgive yourself and move on.

The colleague maybe felt they had to report it as the owner had a go at you so they might have brought it up.

You obviously feel bad. If you feel uncomfortable working there then look for a new job but don’t beat yourself up for too long

[SenecaFallsRedux]

@Bettybantz

Do people really not swear at work? Our lot are a right sweary bunch. Probably not when dealing with the public though

Not at my workplace. I'm in the Southern US, though; it's really not at all acceptable to swear in any place that I have worked.

[BurbageBrook]

God what a precious pearl clutcher your colleague was to report you.

[ClaudiusTheGod]

I was ripped a new one

Horrible phrase

[VladmirsPoutine]

I can't believe you were reported!

[RicherThanYew]

I'm slightly impressed by your employer Op. I work for a care company where the care workers (the term preferred by the MD) literally refuse to provide a client with lunch or make him dinner and the manager does jack shit. The swearing here doesn't even warrant a discussion

[frecklemcspeckles]

I was at a hospital appt recently. One of those ones where you're sitting around during treatment for a few hours. The HCAs were at a workstation on a ward with around 5 or 6 patients all getting their treatments. One of them swore constantly as they talked about their work and I remember thinking it was such a bad look when elderly unwell folk were around. I think your colleague was probably a bit ott reporting you if noone was actually around but it's possible they think you may do it in front of residents too which isn't right. I'm sure you're so embarrassed now but hopefully you'll remember never to do it again.

[GetTheFlockOutOfHere]

@gofg

God I hate this thing if reporting stuff like this to your manager.

So do I, it's pathetic. However, some people seem to have so little going on in their own lives, and I guess this gives them a feeling of power.

This. ^ How pathetic. @Slavetolove Just take your slap on the wrist and say sorry, and don't swear again. Who was the arsehat reported you? What a horrible sneaky git.

[Rosebel]

I swear at work sometimes but only with colleagues. If I did it in front of a customer it wouldn't just be a telling off but a formal warning.
On the other hand if no one but your colleague heard I can't even understand why she reported it. It seems a bit petty when she could have just spoken to you.

[gofg]

God I hate this thing if reporting stuff like this to your manager.

So do I, it's pathetic. However, some people seem to have so little going on in their own lives, and I guess this gives them a feeling of power.

[Bettybantz]

Do people really not swear at work? Our lot are a right sweary bunch. Probably not when dealing with the public though

[HangingDitch]

Take it on the chin and learn from it.

[harper30]

I completely disagree with PPs, if you swore in that context, I don't see why your work care. I swear all the time at work as long as I'm only with colleagues and it's not about someone or at someone.
I wouldn't worry about it, obviously your work are super uptight you'll just have to be careful in future but don't feel bad about it!

[EdgeOfTheSky]

God I hate this thing if reporting stuff like this to your manager.

They could just have said ‘steady with the swearing at work, OP’

[WonderfulYou]

I think it’s an overreaction.
I work in a school and most of the staff swear all day long. As long as it’s not in front of the kids then it’s fine.

I don’t swear very often anyway but the one time there was a severe incident and I shouted “shit” in front of a room full of teens and I didn’t even get a warning.

[supersop60]

What AnyFucker said.
Don't do it again.