New research* suggests a workplace jargon language barrier may be driving a wedge between generations, with half (48%) of Millennials and Gen-Z saying it makes them feel less involved in the workplace.
New research*has revealed the divide that the use of jargon has unwittingly caused in the workplace.
Whether it’s “blue sky thinking”, “move the needle on an EOD deadline”, or “circling back to take something offline”, the latest generations** of professionals entering the workplace don’t want to hear it, as 69% say their colleagues use too much jargon at work. On the flipside, baby boomers are much more comfortable with getting their “ducks in a row”, as only 38% say the same.
The words we use at work may seem trivial, but LinkedIn and Duolingo’s research reveals they have a real impact on how we feel in the workplace. Over half of younger employees (54%) admit changing the way they speak to fit in, compared to less than a third of older workers* who have done the same (32%).
Outside of work, this change is hard to shake off as well – two thirds (64%) of Gen-Z and Millennials admit they find themselves using workplace jargon at home, meaning ‘EOD’ (the end of the working day) for some may not be for others.
This behaviour stems from those entering the workforce feeling isolated. Whilst 60% of Gen-Z and Millennials admit that jargon feels like another language, almost half (46%) confess that not understanding jargon has caused them to make a mistake at work.
On top of this, 54% have secretly looked up a word in a meeting to keep up with discussion – twice as many as baby boomers. And, in an attempt to keep up appearances, four in five (83%) have used a word they didn’t understand in a professional situation.
Support is hard to come by as well – 69% of younger workers had to figure out the jargon on their own at their work.
To lend a hand to those struggling to get to grips with workplace jargon, LinkedIn and Duolingo have teamed up to help create a workplace where no-one is excluded for the words they do or don’t know.
Charlotte Davies, Career Expert at LinkedIn says: “Plenty of people use jargon as part of their everyday language without even realising it, but for those who are newer to the workplace, learning a whole new set of vocabulary can be frustrating. According to the research, there is a perception that those who can get to grips with jargon are more likely to progress at work, with 67% of Gen-Z and Millennials agreeing. Learning the workplace language can be tough, and we hope that by opening up the conversation, we can help to break down that workplace language barrier.”
Dr. Hope Wilson, Learning and Curriculum Manager at Duolingo says: “There’s no need to feel ashamed if you use jargon in the workplace, but it’s helpful to be aware that these words can cause others to feel confused or left out. When possible, consider other terms that convey the same meaning that have a higher likelihood of being understood by all.”
For those looking for the most common, most misunderstood or most frustrating jargon, LinkedIn and Duolingo’s research revealed the following:
Top most misunderstood workplace jargon phrases (% of people who say they don’t understand this phrase)
- COP/ EOD – 64%
- Watchouts – 63%
- Move the needle – 61%
- Baked in – 60%
- Blue Sky thinking – 58%
- Wordsmith – 57%
- Quick flag – 57%
- Low hanging fruit – 55%
- Deep dive – 50%
- Circle back – 48%
Most frequently used workplace jargon phrases (% of people who have used it)
- Moving forwards – 20%
- Touch base – 16%
- Noted – 15%
- Singing from the same hymn sheet – 14%
- Reach out – 11%
- Blank canvas – 11%
- Ducks in a row – 7%
- Take it offline – 7%
- Circle back – 7%
- Double click – 7%
Most annoying workplace jargon phrases (% of people who say the phrase is ‘annoying/ frustrating’)
- Blue sky thinking – 16%
- Low hanging fruit – 15%
- Ducks in a row – 14%
- Move the needle – 13%
- Touch base – 13%
- COP/ EOD – 12%
- Watchouts 12%
- Baked in – 12%
- Sing from the same hymn sheet – 12%
- A quick flag – 12%
Most frequently mis-used phrases (% of people who say they’ve used it but aren’t confident in what it means)
- Take it offline – 20%
- ‘Watchouts’ – 19%
- Blue Sky Thinking – 19%
- Reaching Out – 19%
- Closing the loop – 18%
- Touch base – 18%
- Noted – 18%
- In totality – 18%
- Circle back – 18%
- Move the needle – 18%
*Survey for LinkedIn conducted by Censuswide on 1016 employed respondents in the UK, aged 18-76, between 12.04.23 and 26.04.23. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.
**Younger and older generations defined as Gen-Z and Millenials (born 1981-2012) and Gen-X and Baby Boomers (born 1946-1980)
