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At a glance
Workplace communication does not sound the way it used to. Emails are shorter, messages are quicker and the tone has become friendlier. In Australia, phrases like “mate” and “no worries” now appear in everyday work conversations. What once felt strictly business now feels more relaxed and approachable.
This reflects wider shifts in how people work. Hybrid work, digital tools and flatter team structures are changing how colleagues communicate.
Individuality and camaraderie
According to research from Barclays LifeSkills, messaging platforms have made it easier for individuality to come through in everyday exchanges. 97 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 say they want to express their personality in how they communicate at work, and 71 per cent of workers believe younger employees are shaping how formal workplace language should be.
The effect of casual language can be seen in daily workplace behaviour. Many teams find that slang and informal phrases help conversations flow faster and feel more natural. It can break down barriers and build camaraderie.
A survey by Slack found that 70 per cent of employees prefer colleagues who communicate in a more informal way instead of sticking to a strictly professional tone.
However, informality has its limits. Slang is highly contextual and does not always work across teams, departments or cultures. What signals friendliness in one setting may create confusion or seem unprofessional in another. In global workplaces, phrases that feel natural to Australians, such as “no worries,” could be taken as vague or non-committal by colleagues overseas.
Slang at work: Fine or too much?
Context is important. Insights from the University of Phoenix suggest that in smaller, informal settings such as team chats, slang can help build connection and make communication feel more authentic. In more formal settings, especially with clients or external partners, the same language may reduce clarity, create misunderstandings or make the speaker appear less authoritative.
Most employees seem to recognise this balance in practice. The Barclays research suggests that it is appropriate for professionals to adjust how they communicate depending on who they are speaking to. Conversations with teammates can stay relaxed, while communication with managers or clients may become more neutral.
The line between approachable and inappropriate has not disappeared — it has shifted. Informal language can strengthen relationships within teams, but it does not always carry the same meaning in formal, high-stakes or cross-cultural settings.
In short, “mate” works in the break room or when having a quick chat, but should be used with care in the boardroom.
