Impactful Inclusion Toolkit

ACTIVITY 24Adopt Gender-Neutral Terminology

“Diversity is about all of us and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.”

—Jacqueline Woodson

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The world around us has evolved over the past few decades, and the use of gender-specific language has become a thing of the past. Language has the power to shape culture, and this is especially true of the language used in the workplace. Inclusive language, which represents all gender possibilities can make a world of difference in creating truly equitable workplaces. Without the implementation of inclusive language, we risk not only alienating certain groups within the organization but also perpetuating harmful workplace environments that continue cycles of oppression for marginalized groups. While phrases like “You guys did a great job” or “The board is seeking a new chairman” seem harmless, they signal to the women on the team that they did not do a great job and that anyone other than a man will not be considered for the chair role. The default to masculine terms represents exclusion of all other possibilities. Expressions like “We need the right man for the job” are commonplace and reflect a deliberate or unconscious bias that leads to men and women being treated differently in the workplace. A shift in words may seem like such a small thing, but when we neglect to do so, we are unwittingly saying, “You don't belong.” Employing gender-neutral terms in the workplace contributes to an individual's ...