is it OK to mention "Jesus Christ" as an expression of frustration at paintings? — Ask a Supervisor

A reader writes:

Is “Jesus Christ” an beside the point substitution for swear phrases within the place of job?

I've an worker, Angela, who has approached control (no longer me without delay, however any person who reviews to me) as a result of she is uncomfortable along with her colleague’s use of “Jesus Christ” when pissed off. As an alternative of a grunt when selecting up one thing, Phyllis will say, “Oof, Jesus Christ.” When Phyllis makes a mistake, she’ll say “Oh, Jesus Christ.” Such things as that. Angela and Phyllis each paintings in front-facing positions the place consumers might overhear it.

From my working out (once more, listening to it secondhand), the issue is twofold. 1. Angela is anxious that it’s directed AT her and that Phyllis is pissed off with Angela particularly. 2. If consumers overhear Phyllis say it, it can be offensive to them. (Angela didn't say that she herself is angry, simply cited the opportunity of consumers to be.)

It's not that i am non secular now, however rising up, I used to be taught to not say “Oh my God” or the rest of that ilk, so I do notice there are individuals who might take offense. However I’ve truly by no means thought of having a talk with an worker over using it, and I completely listen a couple of folks use this word each day. I’d a lot moderately any person say “Jesus Christ” than drop an F-bomb at the provider flooring. Then again, I’m fearful I’m letting my atheism reduce the placement.

The executive Angela approached and I each plan on staring at the placement. Neither people consider Phyllis is directing it at Angela, and we’ll indisputably transparent that up between them. However, we’re curious if Phyllis is announcing it loud sufficient for patrons to listen to. Does it even subject whether or not or no longer consumers can listen it — is it simply beside the point duration? Can we inform Phyllis that she will’t say “Jesus Christ” at paintings?

The usage of “Jesus Christ” that means offends sufficient people who I wouldn’t need it used round consumers any further than I’d need profanity used round consumers. However extra relating to to me will be the adverse vibe of the exclamation; it’s no longer nice for patrons to listen to offended, pissed off, or jarring outbursts, regardless of their content material. So I’d recommend for addressing it with Phyllis as a part of the entire polish required while you’re operating round consumers.

I don’t assume you wish to have to prohibit it at paintings in non-customer-facing spaces even though. If an worker is in my opinion angry (which doesn’t sound like the placement right here — or least whether it is, Angela hasn’t stated that but), it’s affordable to invite their colleagues to take some time to forestall the usage of it round that particular person, which is other than a whole ban.

If workers use the word round a coworker as a result of of the coworker’s faith, no longer simply because they’re within the addiction of the usage of it most often, that’s a unique factor and could be unlawful harassment that the corporate has a duty to forestall. That’s subsidized up via court docket circumstances like Griffin v. Town of Portland, the place using “Jesus Christ” was once particularly at factor. If so, the court docket famous, “A line exists between using normal profanity within the place of job and using profanity directed on the plaintiff as a result of her faith” and “If the speaker used the phrases out of addiction, in all probability with out even pondering in their non secular connotations, and no longer as a result of (the plaintiff’s) ideals, then such language … may just no longer be used to give a boost to the declare.” (If so, one of the most language was once directed on the plaintiff as a result of her faith and thus she received the go well with.)

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