UK: Linguistic Hygiene in the workplace

[Harold Schiffman]

  Is swearing or abusive language a dismissible offence? 22 June 2007 news
item A recent case where an employee was sacked for swearing in the
workplace questions how foul or abusive language should be dealt with by
employers.

Bristol train driver, Patrick Spackman was sacked for swearing at one of his
colleagues. His managers considered this as gross misconduct.

Bryani Cuthbertson, HR Associate at Workplace Law Group Ltd says that the
use of abusive or foul language in the workplace should not fall under gross
misconduct but should be dealt with informally. Employers should sit down
and have a conversation with the employee concerned and explain to them what
the company norm is. If the employee continues to use what the company
considers unacceptable behaviour, then formal action such as verbal warnings
can be issued.

A company should have a clear and formal policy on this matter, which sets
the benchmark of what behaviour is accepted in the organisation.

It is important to note that what is accepted in one organisation or
environment may not be accepted in another. For instance, what will be
accepted in the building industry will be different to what is accepted in
the service industry.


http://www.workplacelaw.net/display.php?resource_id=8735

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