(Feels Like) Pushing Up Hill.

Swearing at work can be of benefit to staff, new research suggests.

The use of expletives helps employees let off steam and boosts morale, according to a study by academics at the University of East Anglia.

Prof Yehuda Baruch, one of the researchers, said: "Our study suggested that, in many cases, taboo language serves the needs of people for developing and maintaining solidarity, and as a mechanism to cope with stress."

However, he said it was important for employers to know when to clamp down on foul language. "Certainly in most scenarios, in particular in the presence of customers or senior staff, profanity must be seriously discouraged or banned," he added.