As we reach the middle of the work week, many people look forward to “Hump Day” as a reason to celebrate getting over the hump and being halfway to the weekend. But in recent years, the term “Hump Day” has come under scrutiny as being inappropriate or offensive in the workplace.
The origin of Hump Day
The term Hump Day originated as a lighthearted way to mark Wednesday, the middle day of a standard Monday through Friday workweek. The idea is that Wednesday is the “hump” you have to get over before coasting down towards the weekend. It’s supposed to represent a milestone accomplishment of making it halfway through the week.
The exact origins of using Hump Day to refer to Wednesday are unclear, but it gained widespread popularity after being featured in a Geico insurance commercial in 2014. The ad showed a camel wandering an office asking workers if they were excited about “Hump Day.” This helped cement Hump Day as a catchphrase in work culture.
Why do some view Hump Day as inappropriate?
While Hump Day is intended as harmless workplace fun, critics argue the term can be seen as inappropriate or offensive due to the sexual connotations of the word “hump.” As workplace culture evolves to be more conscious of sexual harassment and power imbalances, the worry is that Hump Day may trivialize these issues or make vulgar jokes seem acceptable.
Some of the concerns around using Hump Day in the office include:
- The term “hump” can be interpreted as a sexual reference or double entendre, especially when used repeatedly in a workplace setting.
- It may promote unprofessional behavior or informal talk around sexual matters that could make employees uncomfortable.
- Celebrating Hump Day could lead to inappropriate jokes, remarks, or innuendos about “getting over the hump.”
- Employees may feel pressured to participate in Hump Day festivities when they would rather not.
- It may give the impression that management tolerates or encourages sexual humor in the office.
For those reasons, critics argue that responsible and inclusive workplaces should avoid flippant terms like Hump Day that could be seen as risque or exclusionary by some employees.
Is it offensive to say “Hump Day” at work?
Whether using the term Hump Day in the workplace should be considered offensive is largely determined by the specific context and how employees perceive it.
Some key factors to consider include:
| Factors | Less Offensive | More Offensive |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace Culture | Informal, social, allows humor | Professional, traditional, serious |
| Tone and Intent | Used lightheartedly, not directed at individuals | Used suggestively, aimed at specific people |
| Position of Person Using Term | Peer to peer coworker relations | Manager to employee dynamic |
| Frequency of Use | Only occasionally, not overused | Repeatedly, becoming a running joke |
| Response of Employees | Employees seem comfortable, join in | Employees seem uncomfortable, object |
In a very informal workplace where racy humor is the norm, using Hump Day may get a pass among willing participants. But in professional settings, especially with power dynamics, repeated sexual innuendos can quickly cross from fun to offensive harassment.
Alternatives to saying Hump Day
There are plenty of lighthearted ways to acknowledge the midpoint of the week without referring to sexual “humps.” Some positive and inclusive alternatives include:
- Workday Wednesday
- Wednesday Wins-day
- Over the Hill Wednesday
- Way to Go Wednesday
- Welcome Wednesday
- Midweek Motivation Day
Getting over the weekly hump can also be reframed as:
- Pushing through to Friday
- Halfway to the weekend
- Downhill to days off
No matter what term is used, it should feel celebratory, not suggestive. The goal should be to boost morale and build an inclusive culture, not make racy jokes.
Guidelines for using Hump Day at work
If your workplace does choose to embrace Hump Day, there are some guidelines to follow that may mitigate any offense:
- Get consensus from employees that they are comfortable with the term.
- Ensure managers do not pressure staff to participate.
- Never direct Hump Day humor at specific individuals.
- Avoid making suggestive jokes or sexual innuendos.
- Use Hump Day sparingly rather than overusing it.
- Consider declaring Hump Day humor off-limits in written policies.
- Remain open to feedback that the term is bothering someone.
Conclusion
Hump Day remains a popular catchphrase for Wednesday in many workplaces. But more companies are erring on the side of caution and moving away from potentially offensive terms that trivialize or encourage sexual humor. While Hump Day may be fine among consenting friends in private settings, repeated sexual references should be avoided in professional office environments.
With thoughtfulness and care, workplaces can foster an atmosphere of fun, motivation and inclusion without resorting to risqué innuendos. There are plenty of creative ways to celebrate midweek milestones and the downhill slide towards Friday that don’t require referencing humps, rumps or other body parts.