Business jargon, corporate-speak, and buzzwords have become such fixtures in the workplace that employees are almost guaranteed to encounter them daily, whether they love them or hate them. Now, a pair of studies reveal just how deeply embedded this lingo is, with one study showing that these trendy phrases may be doing more harm than good when it comes to helping employees effectively do their jobs.
The main takeaway from a study published in the International Journal of Business Communication titled Jargon in the Workplace Reduces Processing Fluency, Self-Efficacy, and Information Seeking and Sharing is clear: jargon often creates confusion and can hinder work performance. In the study, 1,826 participants were asked to imagine starting a new job based on email descriptions—some full of jargon, and others written in clear, straightforward language. The results weren’t promising for fans of buzzwords like "future-proofing," "right-sizing," and "empowering through emotional intelligence."
The research found that jargon doesn’t just make work harder to understand; it also undermines employees' confidence in their ability to complete tasks and reduces their motivation to seek or share information. “The results suggest that the use of jargon not only impairs processing fluency but also undermines employees' self-efficacy, which ultimately harms effective communication,” the study concluded. In simpler terms, jargon makes things more complicated than they need to be, leading to poorer communication and team dynamics.
Fans of business expressions like "workplace rockstars," "wearing many hats," or "fast-paced environment" might argue that such phrases sound savvy or trendy. But according to Olivia Bullock, an assistant professor of advertising at the University of Florida and co-author of the study, these expressions can have the opposite effect on employees—especially those who are less familiar with the jargon.
"It doesn’t just make people feel bad about the information—it makes them feel bad about themselves,” Bullock said. “When people don't understand the terms being used, it discourages them from collaborating or asking for clarification, which in turn stifles communication.” She added that the study showed younger employees tend to be more tolerant of jargon, whereas older workers are more likely to ask for clarification. This suggests that younger employees may feel pressured to work around jargon, while more senior employees feel more comfortable requesting clarification.
Bullock’s advice to companies is straightforward: reduce jargon. She believes that eliminating unnecessary business-speak can improve understanding and collaboration. "If you can't ask for more information or share that information downstream, you're creating silos," she said. "That's disruptive to your workflow."
While Bullock advocates for simplifying language, a recent survey by the English-language tutoring platform Preply suggests that jargon isn't going anywhere soon. The survey of 1,551 employees found that 76% of respondents believed using business jargon made someone sound more professional. As a result, 71% said they use it themselves to fit in. About 40% of employees reported hearing or using jargon daily, with terms like “win-win,” “ASAP,” “moving forward,” and “on the same page” being the most common offenders.
Interestingly, the survey also revealed some of the most hated terms. “New normal,” “boots on the ground,” “move the needle,” and “growth hacking” were all listed as particularly obnoxious. But what’s even more puzzling is that people still enjoy using phrases like “debrief,” “table this,” “blue-sky thinking,” and the rather awkward “ideate”—terms that have become corporate buzzwords in their own right.
A recent Reddit thread on corporate jargon offered even more examples of phrases people are tired of hearing. “Touching base,” “circling back,” “pivoting,” “optimizing,” and “moving the needle” were among the most criticized terms. One user complained that "all this crap is designed to sound important, but all you’re really talking about is whether to order more water bottles or get a water cooler for the office." Another Redditor noted that the overuse of “content” to describe everything from news stories to scripts was equally grating.
Others pointed out how common words are now frequently misused in ways that only add to the clutter. One Redditor lamented how the word "literally" has been twisted into a figurative expression, saying it "makes me cringe" every time it’s used incorrectly.
At the end of the day, it seems that jargon isn't going away anytime soon. But if the research and feedback from employees are any indication, the cost of relying too heavily on corporate speak may outweigh any short-term benefit. Clear, straightforward communication may just be the best way forward.
The Unseen Toll of Jargon
An infographic on how buzzwords and insider terms undermine company performance.
Of Employees Report Confusion
A significant majority of the workforce feels that unclear language and buzzwords create unnecessary barriers to understanding their work and objectives.
A Breakdown in Communication
Jargon creates a significant barrier, especially for new team members. This chart shows the percentage of employees who feel jargon negatively impacts their ability to understand communications.
The Psychological Toll
Feeling excluded by unfamiliar terms makes employees feel worse about their work and themselves. This leads to a decline in confidence and engagement across the board.
Impact on Business Performance
A culture of jargon directly correlates with reduced performance in key areas, while clear communication fosters growth, engagement, and efficiency.
The Path to Clarity & Success
The solution is a conscious shift towards simple, direct language. This process fosters a more inclusive and productive environment, leading to tangible results.