Swearing, social media and salary talk: Top taboos for U.S. job seekers

Fifty-seven percent of U.S. job seekers say employees at their company are clueless about when and where it’s appropriate to be honest in the workplace, according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey. This lack of understanding about workplace decorum — including honesty dos and don’ts — is echoed by nearly half of U.S. hiring decision-makers (47 percent), who say employees at their company struggle with knowing when to speak up.

The stakes are particularly high for younger workers, with most U.S. hiring managers (91 percent) believing it’s crucial for younger generations to learn the nuances of honesty in the workplace. Forty-eight percent strongly agree with this sentiment.

But honesty isn’t the only area where employees falter as many job seekers identify specific ways colleagues can be “too honest” at work. Sharing personal information (65 percent) — whether their own (53 percent) or a colleague’s (49 percent) — gossiping (54 percent), criticizing colleagues or the company (53 percent) and venting about work issues (52 percent) are all seen as pitfalls of excessive honesty. These behaviors can harm reputations and workplace harmony, highlighting the need for better guidance and resources.

Beyond honesty, job seekers hold on to taboos that are more about irresponsible actions than dishonesty. The top taboos include getting drunk during work hours (74 percent), having an alcoholic beverage at work (65 percent), using recreational drugs during work hours (65 percent), gossiping about colleagues (51 percent), gossiping about managers (51 percent) and dating a manager or senior executive (52 percent).

Generational divides also play a role in how these taboos are perceived, the survey found. Gen X and boomer job seekers are more likely than their Gen Z and millennial counterparts to view certain behaviors as taboo, such as getting drunk during work hours (82 percent and 88 percent versus 69 percent and 68 percent, respectively), using recreational drugs during work hours (76 percent and 81 percent versus 63 percent and 57 percent) and gossiping about colleagues (60 percent and 61 percent versus 45 percent and 47 percent).

The most common taboos U.S. job seekers admit to are surprisingly mundane. Swearing at work (45 percent), making personal calls or using social media during work hours (42 percent), discussing salary/wages (33 percent) and crying at work (29 percent) are the top confessions, painting a picture of everyday challenges in the workplace.

“While workplaces have become more casual and honesty is highly valued, maintaining a level of professionalism is still essential,” said Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO. “It’s about striking a balance where openness and respect coexist, ensuring a comfortable and respectful environment for everyone.”

The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals earlier this year among 1,002 U.S. hiring decision-makers.