All Inclusive

By: Lindsay Fraser, Junior Communications Officer and Kaitlyn Phillips, Communications
Assistant
In 2014, there were over 150 new words and definitions added to the Merriam-Webster
Dictionary. This tells us that the English language is changing and evolving with our society. For
example, upstander (noun): a person who stands up for the rights of others, was added to the
dictionary last year. The addition of this word reflects a shift in our society and the way many
people are becoming less tolerant of ignorant behaviour and more likely to take a stand.
Based on the results of the 2014 Public Service Employee Survey, nine per cent of PWGSC
employees feel that their co-workers dont behave in a respectful manner. Out of the 8,969
people who answered this question, 807 felt this way. People may not realize that employees
have experienced language that is offensive, hurtful and disrespectful. For this reason it is
important that we use inclusive language in the workplace and in our everyday lives.
What is inclusive language? Language that is free from words, phrases or tones that reflect
prejudiced, stereotyped or discriminatory views of particular people or groups. It is also
language that doesnt deliberately or inadvertently exclude people from being seen as part of a
group.
Its important to consider our use of language and to assess whether we could potentially be
offending someone on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability or any
other characteristic. For instance, a word that is still commonly used and highly offensive to
many people is retarded. Whether you are working with someone who is living with a
disability or a person who knows someone living with a disability, this word can hit close to
home and be very hurtful.
It is also important to realize that the way we phrase our sentences can also exclude and be
disrespectful to fellow employees. For example, it is better to say a person with a disability
instead of a disabled person, because that defines the person as being incapacitated by illness
or injury or physically or mentally impaired in a way that substantially limits activity especially
in relation to employment or education. However, a person with a disability is still a person; they
are not defined by their disability. Another way employees can be more inclusive is by using
gender-neutral terms. For instance, employees should say, employees should read their packets
carefully instead of, each employee should read his packet carefully.
We challenge you to remember inclusivity when engaging with other employees in the work
place and to remind each other of what inclusive language is; because lets face it, we all slip up
once in awhile.
For more information on how to use inclusive language in the workplace, please check out these
following resources:

http://hrcouncil.ca/hr-toolkit/diversity-language-guidelines.cfm
https://www.education.tas.gov.au/documentcentre/Documents/Guidelines-for-InclusiveLanguage.pdf
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renseignements dans les deux langues officielles concernant Travaux publics et Services
gouvernementaux Canada sont disponibles dans le site Web mySource.