Civil servants have been advised against using terms to describe generations of people – such as ‘Millennial’, ‘Generation X’ and ‘Baby Boomers’ – to avoid offence.
The descriptions are commonly used to identify different generations born in the second half of the 20th century – but they can ‘reinforce negative stereotypes’, according to a new language guide.
As an alternative, the publication recommends only referring to specific years or decades for when people were born.
It states: ‘Only refer to a person’s age if it is relevant to the subject matter and avoid using generational labels as this can reinforce negative stereotypes.’
Age-related descriptive language is also cautioned against. Among terms which should no longer be used are ‘young-at-heart’, ‘old-school’, ‘aged’, ‘the young’ or ‘the elderly’, and ‘young man or young woman’.
Civil servants have been advised against using terms to describe generations of people. (Pictured, a view of Whitehall)
‘Millennial’, ‘Generation X’ and ‘Baby Boomers’ can ‘reinforce negative stereotypes’, according to a new language guide (stock image)
The focus on language was criticised by Toby Young (pictured), of the Free Speech Union, who said civil servants should instead prioritise getting back to the office and responding efficiently to members of the public
Labour were last night accused of ‘prioritising Whitehall over the taxpayer’ after scrapping plans from the previous Tory government to slash 66,000 civil service jobs (stock image)
The guide advises staff to ‘use more neutral, descriptive and person-centric terms to avoid describing someone only in the context of their age’ and ‘use language which does not reinforce stereotypes or implies that people of certain ages are good or bad at particular things because of their age’.
Other tips include reemphasising the need to use gender-neutral terminology and not using phrases such as ‘love’, ‘dear’ or ‘darling’.
The guide also urges staff to consider ‘neurodivergent colleagues’ and only ‘use plain English, avoid abstract/open questions, imagery and jargon’. It means expressions such as ‘raining cats and dogs’ should not be used as they ‘could be taken literally’.
Meanwhile, the phrase ‘fell on deaf ears’ is out as it could be offensive to deaf people.
And terms such as ‘third-world countries’, ‘ex-offender’ or ‘homeless people’ should be avoided to avoid stigmatisation.
On race, the guide advises against using hitherto common acronyms BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) or BME (black and minority ethnic) ‘as they exclude groups such as mixed ethnicity, Roma, Irish Traveller as well as other minority ethnic groups such as Polish or Lithuanian’.
The focus on language was criticised by Toby Young, of the Free Speech Union, who said civil servants should instead prioritise getting back to the office and responding efficiently to members of the public.
He said: ‘No one give a stuff about this sort of language apart from bug-eyed woke activists. Apologies if that phrase offends ants. If civil servants want to improve their relations with the general public they should stop working from home, respond promptly to email queries and pick up the phone occasionally.’
In a forward to the ‘inclusive language’ guide – published by the Northern Ireland Civil Service – the province’s Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald urged colleagues to ‘become more conscious of the language you use and better understand how your language can impact others and make them feel included or excluded’.
She added: ‘By taking the time to become more aware of the language we use and by consciously adopting inclusive language practices, together we can ensure that differences within our workplaces and society are positively recognised, valued and respected, making us a better Civil Service for all.’