Boss told me off for exclaiming Jesus Christ

[GloMum]

The other day my boss told me off for exclaiming Jesus Christ when I was surprised during a work meeting. Boss told me it’s rude towards people from different religions and asked me if I’d done my DEI training. I have, and I enjoy friendships with colleagues from varied backgrounds. I feel really stressed now in case I slip again, and embarrassed I should be told off.

YABU - This is an inappropriate exclamation at work
YANBU - It’s just an exclamation and you shouldn’t be told off for that.

You seem to be struggling with this, so I'll say it again.
The fact that people have existed with that name at some point in history doesn't make the man-made version of the supposedly godlike or anointed figure in any way real. The godlike version of jesus or mohammed is imaginary.

the issue is what is appropriate?

I have often said the word ‘jeez’ without thinking. Even in a professional setting. I might even have used it in a meeting. I might even have thrown in a ‘golly’.

turns out it is super offensive to some.

I had no idea ‘gosh’ and ‘oh my goodness’ were also non neutral and potentially offensive. Are they to be banned in a professional setting?

It is immensely arrogant for people to suggest they understand every single workplace culture. Some are very conservative and others not. I’ve worked in some very dry and rigid workplaces where I’d be much more careful about what was said and I’ve worked in some where a certain degree of bad language is tolerated. It is cultural. If you don’t want to work in that sort of environment you don’t have to work there but to suggest people are thick because they enjoy working in a more relaxed office is very patronising.

many of these terms which ‘some’ might consider blasphemous are actually now just common vernacular to others. Language changes over time and so suggesting what people found offensive 50 years ago isn’t necessarily the same as now.

@Drfosters well said. If someone chooses to be offended by something then that doesn't make them automatically in the right!

Yeah, that's my point. Try to keep up.

I do work internationally with a diverse range of people. We're all professional enough to never whine about being offended by extremely common everyday non swearing language. Some of you need to try it.

Yes, we know that.

As I've said, I swear like a trooper personally and would say far worse than that without thinking around friends. But I am more careful in professional settings where others aren't necessarily the same as me. It's just, as those of us with experience of it have apparently needed to point out numerous times, common sense in a business context, especially internationally. How you personally feel about a phrase being "normal" is neither here nor there - it's about how other people do, and it's clear from both the comments on here and some of our own professional experiences with more diverse workplaces, that some DO still find it offensive and that's something to take on board. Not everyone is you. Not everyone has to be you.

That said, the "smacking" comment from the boss is deeply weird and inappropriate in itself.

Anyway, no point in continuing the circularity of this discussion really, since no amount of repetition of the same point that's been made over and over—that some people DO find it offensive, and therefore it's probably best avoided in a business context— appears to be going in. We disagree and that's fine.

Saying oh my god and oh god is such a common thing to say in Britain. Try telling every single person not to say it....

Better tell the porn stars to stop uttering it as well....

@hihelenhi so you are saying that is someone said please don’t use the phrase ‘oh my goodness’ you just wouldn’t say it anymore because someone has said if offends them?

I find it extraordinary that in society we accept other people have a right to police what is ordinary language. Maybe I’m just getting old now (Gen X) but I’m getting a bit tired of the ‘be kind’ mantra that we all have to walk on eggshells around other people rather than other people just letting to wash over them.

I don't personally whine at work, thanks. Your failure to comprehend that others may not share all your views, don't have to and may have had different professional experiences is noted. I expect some of your colleagues notice it too. Not my problem, though, so do continue as you wish in your own workplace. If nobody seems to mind, then bully for you. 🙄

Your boss was daft in his rationale. By "other" religions, I guess he means religions other than Christianity. Why would they find that offensive? Some Christians might, but as I say when all "offense" of religious sensibilities are mentioned, surely if you are that devout, nothing anyone else does or says can be an issue, because you are sure and secure in your belief?

I think its pretty tame in the grand scale of things. Perhaps if you know there are many people around you who are devout in their Christian faith, you could think of a different phrase, but if people are taking offense to that, the outside world must be a traumatic place for them.

If someone asked me not to use a particular expression in their presence, I would try not to, just out of politeness. And I believe very much in context. We adapt our language all the time to suit where we are and who we're with.

I couldn't give the tiniest shit about the phrase "oh my goodness". Neither would even the most religious of people. Nor would pretty much any person on this thread.

I suggest you get a grip. You seem to be getting hugely wound up for no reason whatsoever.

A euphemism is just as bad as saying the original word. That is my belief. Anyone who thinks differently is clearly not very religious.

and a quick google tells you some people do find it offensive

Since I'm not, I really couldn't care less. I'll leave that to religious people to argue out with you.

@hihelenhi so you agree with me then! You wouldn’t change your language if you don’t think someone has the right to be offended.

You're not following. I absolutely comprehend others don't share my views ( I've said so multiple times) the point is to be offended all you want and just...do nothing. Keep your thoughts inside your head. That's professionalism, and maturity.

People find things offensive, it doesn't make any difference. Your offence is no-one elses problem.

@hihelenhi "I find it extraordinary that in society we accept other people have a right to police what is ordinary language"

I don't think people have a right to police ordinary language-although as a society we have made some collective decisions in this area. I do however think they have the right to ask that certain language not be used in their hearing, and personally, I would try to avoid using it. For example, there is some language I find deeply misogynist that I won't allow in my home.

This is amazing. All I've said today is 'oh kittens'. My team mates think I've lost the plot 😂😂

I am following, thanks. You don't seem to be. It isn't me who's offended.

No.

Try reading comprehension.

Offended... offensive... whatever. You're definitely one of them

Oh, I think we can all see it's you who's "one of them". Learn to read.

Oh the irony of your comprehension failure. One of the two options, ya clown.

A persons "right" to be offended is negated by peoples "right" not to give a shit.

Then why would you use the name of Jesus as a swear word??
Good on your 'non-Christian' boss!!