[censored], dazzle them with science.
They want you to use formal language at work because the "Shirts" (that's middle management to you) want to "understand" what's going on. So that they can "manage" you. Which generally consists of interfering, contradicting and telling you to do the direct opposite of what you where doing. This allows the manager to demonstrate his/her "grip" on the situation and their man managment skills. Result: FUBAR.
The BC's (that blue collar staff) who do understand whats going on, know exactly what needs doing and have a clue, don't want them to know. What they don't know, they can't "manage."
That sound cynical to you?
It should.
Thats experience speaking.......

10-4...

What a funny thread! But I suspect Leigh has the proper grasp. And Massacre has the best advice.

I work for a Native American casino. All the ideas that come from the top appear to have been copied from a book written by someone on Madison Ave. who hasn't got a clue.

The casino is limited in viable applications for employment due to their hiring criteria: prospective employees must have a high school education (or be working toward a GED), and must be able to acquire a Class II or III gaming license (no criminal activity in background), must approach the interviewer with a smile, and must appear to be breathing. Oh, and the company has a major Bad News rating as an employer in the community.

When they finally get people, they do their very best to turn them into robots. If a customer says 'thank you', all the employees are supposed to say 'my pleasure', and 'can I help you with anything else?' Now, imagine you're a customer, trapped on a N.A. reservation for several hours until your bus leaves for home. Do you have any idea how many times you might hear these two phrases in that time? The customers are getting irritated, but management won't listen.

Most of the employees have gotten the new jargon down pat, and now use it on everyone they meet, including coworkers. Someone is going to go postal, and their victim's last memory will probably be saying 'my pleasure'.

Management like this insists on jargon, but it has to be THEIR jargon.

Sue

That reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer doesn't get a proper greeting at the bank. "You got a greeting that started with an H. How about twenty bucks?" <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Healthcare: Is there anything else I can do for you today?

"Get bent" was probably the politest reply I've received for that one.