Small business owners and employees shunning political correctness

A recent survey by Hiscox, the specialist insurer of professional firms has revealed that bad language, rude jokes, over familiar behaviour and sexual innuendo is common in the workplace

Employees are shunning political correctness by giggling at racist/sexist jokes and swearing or engaging in sexual banter, according to an investigation led by specialist business insurer, Hiscox. Meanwhile, bosses for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are also showing an alarming disregard for office behaviour which could end in time consuming and expensive legal action.

The study found that well over half of employees swear in the office (65%) and conjure up nicknames for their colleagues (63%); over a third like to laugh at sexual innuendo (42%); and a third (32%) regularly hear jokes of a racist/sexist nature.

The 25 - 34 year olds are the worst offenders with over three quarters (78%) swearing in the workplace and 71% thinking up nicknames for their colleagues. Half of this age group (50%) think using terms of endearment such as ‘pet’ or ‘love’ in the office is acceptable and 45% don’t bat an eyelid at sexual innuendo or banter.

SME bosses at risk of workplace bullying and sexual harassment claims

More worryingly, SME bosses, while condemning some actions such as swearing or the use of sexual innuendo, seem to accept other behaviours which could equally lead to legal action against them.

Almost half of this group (41%) think that using a term of endearment such as ‘pet’ or ‘love’ for a colleague is perfectly acceptable; over three quarters (76%) don’t worry about nicknames in the workplace and over half (60%) don’t flinch at physical contact such as hugging or patting a colleague to encourage or congratulate them.

Although these actions may seem harmless, they could lead to claims of bullying and sexual harassment in today’s workplace.

Female SME bosses less tolerant of workplace discrimination

The research also revealed that female SME bosses are, on the whole, better behaved than their male counterparts in the office. Although they seem to have less of a problem with pinning up sexy posters than their male colleagues do (14% women verses 10% of men), 86% of women do not tolerate sexual innuendo whilst just under one quarter of male SME bosses consider this acceptable (20%).

Regional data from the Hiscox survey also showed that Northerners (73%) and Scots (72%) are the most likely to swear at work and the Scots use sexual innuendo and banter the most (47%) compared to the rest of Great Britain, whilst people from the north of England are more affectionate and use terms of endearment for their colleagues (55%).

Commenting on the results, Gary Head, Professions Underwriting Director at Hiscox, said, “These office antics are particularly alarming given the recent spate of high-profile legal discrimination cases, and a flurry of new employment legislation which has led to predictions of increased discrimination claims being brought against companies in the next two years."

“The law now goes a lot further in protecting the individual and whilst big business has woken up to this fact, largely as a result of costly law suits, our study shows that this remains a dangerous ’blindspot’ for SMEs.

“By their very nature, SMEs are smaller organisations with a family like atmosphere. This can create a false sense of security and our survey clearly shows that bosses aren’t as ‘clued -up’ as they think they are and are even guilty themselves of behaviour which many no longer find acceptable in the workplace.

“The potential cost from employee lawsuits is huge and could even result in bankruptcy for a small business. It is essential that businesses review and revise their workplace practices and consider taking adequate insurance protection in the event that the worst happens.

"Most bosses will have considered what happens if their office burns down, but the fact is they are more likely to be sued by one of their employees."