Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

RECRUITER BACKS UP JARGON THEORY IN WORKPLACE

NEW RECRUITS BAFFLED BY BIG COMPANY JARGON

The recent survey by Investors in people which suggests that workplace jargon isolates staff is backed up by a snapshot report by finance recruiter Nigel Lynn, who, in its own survey carried out last year found that one of the biggest drawbacks for new recruits to large organisations is coming to terms with jargon.

The survey, which questioned 78 recruits to large organisations found that there were a wide range of issues from coping with new systems to internal politics but the most common complaint, cited by over 66% of respondents, was the prevalence of jargon or ‘management speak’, as one participant put it.

“We seem to have left day-to-day English behind for a whole new language”, said one respondent. “we aren't people anymore – or even employees – we are ‘human capital’ – and apparently our employers want to have ‘facetime’with us. It is like something out of an Orwell novel!”

Trying to decipher jargon without help can be tricky. Because everyone seems to understand it, many people don’t like to admit that they are, in fact, completely in the dark. “I asked my boss a question and she said that she didn’t have the bandwith to deal with it at the moment” said one respondent. “I still have absolutely no idea what she meant!”

However, simple lack of comprehension can give way to other more embarrassing dangers as one respondent found out: “When my manager told me that or new accounting system was going to be ‘big banged’ ‘in quarter three (meaning launched) I burst out laughing – I thought he was joking – unfortunately he wasn’t!”

Predictably, many of the professionals questioned took a cynical view of the widespread use of buzz words and jargon. “In my view, this sort of terminology is just a mask – a cover up”, said one respondent “If no-one really understands what you are saying, then you can’t be criticised for it” And as another so succinctly put it – “for those of you who remember the A Team, it was Mr T who said ‘aint got no time for jibber jabber’”

“The vocabulary of the business school and management guru has been creeping into most large businesses for some time, says Steve Carter, managing Director of Nigel Lynn “There is a place for specialised language but when it gets in the way of communicating ideas or information, then it constrains, it limits and it fails.”

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:

SNAPSHOT SURVEY QUESTION

What particular issues have you had to deal with on moving to a larger organisation? (respondents may have given more than one choice)

New systems--24
Internal politics--29
Departmental policies--14
Less interaction with management--49
Jargon--54

Tracey Dunn
Bluesky PR
Tel: 0845 3700125
Email: tracey@bluesky-pr.net