Almost a third of office workers see their manager as less genuine when they use corporate jargon
New research by BRITA VIVREAU reveals that corporate jargon is limiting employers’ and employees’ ability to be authentic, leaving workers feeling disconnected and less likely to start conversations at work.
- A quarter (25%) of office workers said corporate jargon makes them feel disconnected from their colleagues
- Almost a third (31%) said it makes them feel less confident speaking to senior colleagues
- More than half (53%) are more likely to use corporate jargon when they’re in the office
Working somewhere that uses a lot of corporate jargon would result in 29% being less likely to start conversations with colleagues, and a quarter (25%) being less likely to speak up in meetings and less likely to ask questions at work.
Corporate jargon has an even bigger impact on Gen Z employees, with 38% being less likely to start a conversation with colleagues and 32% being less likely to ask questions.
Almost a third (30%) feel that corporate jargon is used in the workplace for the sake of it, and that senior managers are the worst offenders (45%).
Eloise Leeson-Smith, leading Linguist & Language Expert, explains:
“Corporate jargon is all too common in the workplace but can be exclusionary and leave employees feeling left out – creating barriers between them and their colleagues. This will often result in ineffective communication in the workplace, which can be incredibly costly for employers.
“In fact, a recent report from Axios HQ estimated it can cost over £11,000 per employee in lost productivity. So, with communication between colleagues now taking up 72% of the work week, it’s no surprise that employees and executives cite that lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main cause of workplace failures and frustrations.
“For any company wanting to foster a workplace culture of inclusion and prioritise staff mental wellbeing, creating opportunities for employees to communicate and connect authentically is essential.”
Employees want to have authentic, in person conversations with their managers and colleagues. More than two thirds (68%) said that being told well done in person by their manager feels more genuine than an email to the whole company (25%) or a voucher (10%).
Almost half (48%) of office workers said they have their most authentic conversations with colleagues in the office when making a tea or coffee. The water cooler is indispensable in facilitating genuine conversations and relationships in the workplace. Office workers said that water cooler conversations make them feel more part of a team (33%) and help them establish relationships with colleagues (43%). More than a third (34%) said they’re most likely to start a conversation with a senior colleague when they’re getting a drink at the water cooler.
Chris Dagenais, General Manager, BRITA VIVREAU UK, adds:
“We want employers and employees to benefit from the every-day water cooler moments. While these brief moments in the day may seem unimportant, the water cooler is where some of the most genuine conversations happen in the office. These in-person conversations have a meaningful impact on how employees feel towards their team and company.
“Water cooler moments facilitate more hierarchical conversations and help colleagues establish relationships and feel more part of a team. BRITA VIVREAU water dispensers can help businesses of all sizes to create a space in the office that encourages these more authentic conversations.”
BRITA VIVREAU water dispensers provide a sustainable and cost-effective way to provide still, sparkling or hot and cold water for any office environment. They offer an effective design that is sleek and elegant and can be installed anywhere in your office space – including reception areas, communal spaces, meetings rooms and open plan office spaces.
Visit www.brita.co.uk/water-dispensers to find out how the facilities in your office can support a supportive and productive workplace culture.