Widely-used phrases with the word ‘man’ in them have been deemed offensive as insurers have been warned not to use them.
‘Man the phones’ and ‘man the desk’ are some of the phrases the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has told its members to avoid in its recently released inclusive language guide.
Insurers have been advised to use the word ‘attend’ in place of ‘man’ and say ‘attend the phones/ desk’ as a gender-neutral alternative.
The word pensioner has also been discouraged as the guide claims it implies the word is ageist and ‘that people of certain age groups or generations are a homogenous group, failing to recognise people’s individuality’.
The recommendations are intended to ‘galvanise inclusion and create a more welcoming environment’.
Members are advised to use ‘mature individual’, ‘older individual’ or ‘senior citizen’ as alternatives.
‘Workmanship’ should be replaced with ‘quality of work’ and ‘Man-made’ is also discouraged, with the guide suggesting insurers to say either ‘artificial’, ‘manufactured’, ‘synthetic’ or ‘plant-based’.
While ‘parents, guardians, caregivers’ should be used instead of ‘mother and father’, the guide advises.
Widely-used phrases with the word ‘man’ in them have been deemed offensive as insurers have been warned not to use them (Stock Image)
| Don’t say | Do say |
|---|---|
| Man the phones Man the desk Workmanship Man-made Mother and father Pensioners, the elderly Christian name Surname or Last name Faith Boyfriend/husband Family planning clinic Welcome ladies and gentleman, boys and girls Policeman Cleaning ladies What is your marital status? |
Attend the phones Attend the desk Quality of work or skills Artificial, manufactured Parents, guardians, Senior citizens, mature First name or givenname Family name Religion or belief Spouse/partner Sexual health clinic Welcome to friends and colleagues or everyone Police officer Cleaners What is your relationship status? |
Critics have said the guide ‘lacks common sense’ and risks excluding most groups.
Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, director of campaign group Don’t Divide Us said: ‘Man the desk’ and ‘pensioner’ are everyday words which are meaningful for many ordinary people.
‘Changing them on the dictates of a minority excludes most of the population – the opposite of their stated aim.
‘Does the Chartered Insurance Institute need a crash course in common sense?
A spokesman for the CII, which represents 122,000 chartered insurers, said: ‘We are proud to be an organisation that is open and welcoming to anyone who shares our ambitions and values.
‘Our members recognise the pledge they make to abide by our Code of Ethics, which places significant weight on treating all people fairly, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.
‘Our members also know the importance of upholding professional behaviours beyond the confines of their working lives, such that their actions should never bring the financial services professions or the Chartered Insurance Institute into disrepute.
‘Many of our members have found the guide helpful.’
