Finding the right words: Using inclusive language in the workplace
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It’s easy to slip into habits, especially when it comes to language. We might use a phrase that’s familiar from our home country, for example. What many of us don’t realize is that an everyday word has the power to both empower but also diminish someone’s identity. We spoke with Amy Ogborn, Business Analyst at TomTom, to get to grips with the kind of language that we can and should be using to ensure everyone feels included, particularly members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
To first define what inclusive language is, let’s set a scenario. You’re joining a new team. Naturally, you want to feel welcome. You’d likely have a chat with your colleagues and share your stories and experiences: a snippet of your life. The opposite of this ideal is a first meeting in which your new team makes assumptions about you. They drop comments about aspects of yourself that discomfort you. This communication, whether intended to or not, has the power to unsettle or even hurt you. And that is not the right way to set yourself up for future success within a team.As Amy describes, this is because “the way we communicate in our lives and at work is integral to making yourself and the people around you feel comfortable to be their authentic selves.” By being aware of what we’re saying and how it makes people feel, we can adjust our vocabulary slightly or even significantly so that everyone is included in the conversation.
Examples of inclusive language
As part of the interview, Amy gave some useful advice about putting inclusive language into practice.
Firstly, think about the way you greet a group and/or introduce yourself in a team meeting. Amy advises changing “Hello ladies and gentlemen” to “Hello everyone,” or “Hello team,” for example, as these phrases also encompass people who do not identify as men or women. Another way to relax the room is by sharing your pronouns and asking if someone else wants to share theirs if they are comfortable. And even if your team is made up entirely of people who identify as either men or women, “it’s just good to get into the habit of speaking inclusively anyway,” says Amy.
Gender is very relevant, but inclusive language also incorporates discussions about sexuality. Firstly, Amy underlines that we should all “exercise caution when talking to colleagues about personal lives.” Amy adds that, if you do, “approach these conversations inclusively. When asking a question about someone’s husband, wife, etc., use ‘partner’.” This avoids assumptions being made about gender but also sexuality and marital status.
Why does inclusivity matter?
These may seem like small things, yet for someone in a group, team or even your nearby vicinity, this is a huge recognition of who they are.“By making these small changes, this could have a ripple effect, encouraging others in an inner circle to adopt the same inclusive terminology. And this is super important for the global situation. Because, as Amy reminds us, “While progress has been made for the LGBTQIA+ community over the last decades, there are only 36 countries where same-sex marriage is legally recognized.” And even within these countries, homophobia and transphobia are still ever-present. By tweaking the way we speak, we can help members of the LGBTQIA+ community (and beyond) feel exactly how they should: accepted and welcomed into the much wider community of people around the world. The louder and more united everyone is, the quieter the negative voices are forced to become. TomTom has done plenty to facilitate this coming-together. On this topic, there are glossaries available to all TomTom’ers, so they’re aware of all the terms and phrases to be aware of in conversation. On a wider scale, Amy identified “the Pride Buddy program, connecting LGBTQIA+ TomTom’ers with a supportive Buddy.” There are Employee Resource Groups dedicated to organizing initiatives and events to raise awareness for and celebrate communities like LGBTQIA+. These are just some steps in the journey to full acknowledgment and respect for the LGBTQIA+ community. The saying goes that the pen is mightier than the sword. Well, in this vein, words carry immense weight. No huge action is needed to contribute to inclusivity. Just by switching up the way you introduce yourself, refer to partners, and talk about gender and/or sexual orientation, you can have a major positive impact on how someone in the room feels.Amy Ogborn, Business Analyst
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