New research reveals that the sector’s workers find buzzwords superfluous to the office environment 

Buzzwords have always been a decidedly divisive issue in the workplace. However, according to recent research from the UK’s leading independent job board, CV-Library, workers in the accounting industry are shunning the concept of a buzzword heavy environment entirely, with 4 in 5 (83.8%) stating that buzzwords are unnecessary in the workplace.

The study, which surveyed 1,000 UK workers, found that 70.3% of workers in the sector felt that people only used buzzwords in order to sound more intelligent in the workplace. Alongside this, the survey also found that 40.5% had particular buzzwords or phrases that they were sick of hearing in the workplace. Below are the top 10 buzzwords that have the accounting industry’s skin crawling:

1. Let’s touch base – 60%
2. Thinking outside the box – 46.7%
3. Park this – 45.5%
4. Ping me – 36.4%
5. For the win – 33.3%
6. FYI – 27.3%
7. Thought shower – 27.3%
8. Run it up the flag pole – 26.7%
9. Keep me in the loop – 26.7%
10. Level playing field – 20%

Furthermore, only 37.8% of professionals in the sector admitted that they used buzzwords, suggesting that there is a dwindling need for them in the workplace.

Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library, comments: “It’s unsurprising to see that buzzwords are falling away from the workplace in the accounting industry. With clear and concise communication the number one priority for many companies, it’s understandable that more and more workers are growing agitated with buzzword focussed environments. While technical knowledge and understanding is extremely important to help drive businesses forward, there needs to be a clear differentiation between technical terminology and everyday buzzwords.”

More worryingly, many professionals from the industry admitted that they would be put off work colleagues or businesses that used buzzwords prolifically. Almost half (43.2%) of workers in the accounting sector stated that they would judge a colleague who used a lot of buzzwords, with a further 40.5% claiming that they would also be put off a buzzword-heavy company.

Biggins concludes: “Clearly, both personal and corporate presentation is imperative to ensure continued success in business. With many workers across the sector disassociating themselves from buzzword heavy colleagues and companies, cultivating a simple work environment should be at the top of both professionals and businesses to-do lists. Ensuring that your workplace is an inviting and encouraging environment should be number one priority in any company to encourage the top talent to your business.” 

Learn more about CV-Library at www.cv-library.co.uk