It’s Monday morning and you just walked in and see your favorite coworkers. It is a great moment to find out what they did over the weekend. Did they have an anniversary? Maybe they announced that they were expecting a new baby or adopted a new rescue animal. Perhaps they even witnessed a car accident or a fight on the subway. How would you respond?
Believe it or not, our normal, seemingly harmless responses might be offensive to some people around us based on their experiences. It isn’t about being ‘woke’, ‘soft’, or even ‘triggered’, which itself can be offensive. It is about empathy in the workplace and understanding that we, as individuals, all perceive and receive things differently. No experiences are the same, and with that, it can be expected that something that may not offend you, and that you have used as a crutch word the majority of your life, can potentially offend someone in a professional setting.
What’s right isn’t always popular and what’s popular isn’t always right
Trending words that can be offensive or problematic in an office setting often revolve around issues of inclusivity, respect, and professionalism. Here are some examples:
1. Triggering
While intended to acknowledge emotional responses, it can be used in a way that seems dismissive of genuine mental health issues. More recently, the use of the term ‘triggered’ or ‘triggering’ has been used in a mocking manner that is demeaning to those who may have an uncontrolled emotional reaction to something because of trauma or a negative experience.
2. Tribe
Can be seen as culturally insensitive when used to describe groups of people, especially in a business or social context. Often, the word tribe is used to describe one’s team, their organization, the fandom, or family that one associates themselves with. This word has also been considered to have been appropriated from indigenous people.
3. Man Up
Seen as reinforcing traditional gender roles and could be perceived as insensitive or discriminatory. Using ‘man up’ has been deemed archaic and illogical, and also it reinforces harmful stereotypes, as well as is dismissive of vulnerability.
4. Crazy and/or Insane
Used casually to describe something unusual or chaotic, but can be offensive when referring to mental health or cognitive conditions. It can be stigmatizing when used to describe situations or behaviors rather than clinical conditions.
5. Ghetto
Originally referring to a specific type of neighborhood, it can be used pejoratively to describe something perceived as low quality or undesirable, which can be offensive. When used to describe people or behaviors, it can be seen as derogatory or dismissive, reinforcing negative stereotypes.
6. Retarded
Historically used to describe intellectual disabilities but is now considered highly offensive and outdated. In 2010, the United States Congress passed “Rosa’s Law,” which replaced the term “mental retardation” with “intellectual disability” in federal statutes. This marked a significant turning point in discouraging the use of “retarded” in both official and informal settings. Since then, the term has generally been considered offensive, and more inclusive language like “intellectual disability” is widely preferred.
7. Nazi
Used to describe someone who is perceived as excessively strict or controlling, but it trivializes the atrocities committed by the actual Nazis. I feel like this one doesn’t need much explaining, but with the growth of anti-semitic rhetoric and violence not only in the U.S. but around the world, this topic should not be used to describe a person in a professional or personal setting.
8. Redneck
Used to describe someone as unsophisticated or rural, but can be seen as derogatory or disrespectful. There has also been a shift in the usage of ‘redneck’ that is more aligned with assuming that someone who is a redneck is not only working-class but also racist or ignorant.
9. Mulatto
Used to categorize people based on their mixed racial heritage, specifically those of African and European descent. The word itself comes from the Spanish and Portuguese term for “mule,” a hybrid animal, which is problematic because it implies that people of mixed race are somehow less human or unnatural. Over time, as society has become more sensitive to issues of race and identity, the word “mulatto” has come to be seen as outdated and offensive. Today, more respectful and accurate terms like “mixed race” or “biracial” are preferred.
Awareness Is Key
Being aware of the impact of language and striving for inclusive and respectful communication is key to maintaining a professional and supportive workplace environment. It has been proven that diverse teams contribute positively to the growth of individuals, teams, and the entire organization. The more diverse a team, the more considerate and empathetic the members of those teams need to be, and it will create a more cohesive working environment.
The next chance you have, listen around any office or public setting and see if you can hear terms being used in everyday conversation that has the potential to offend someone, even yourself, and consider how it could affect your team, your employees, or even you.
