Qantas staff have been told to avoid “gender-inappropriate” words, in the airline’s most recent bid to promote inclusion and make its employees more comfortable.
Staff were issued an information booklet from Qantas’ People and Culture group executive Lesley Grant, detailing how to make employees more comfortable at work, as the carrier begins its “Spirit of Inclusion” month, The Daily Telegraph reported.
The booklet features a list of gender-specific words to avoid such as “honey”, “darling”, “guys”, and “love” to help staff members grow more aware of what might offend those around them.
Staff were told to use “partner” or “spouse” instead of “husband and wife”, and “parents” instead of “mum and dad” to avoid excluding LGBTI families.
“Manterruptions” are also to be avoided.
“Research shows that in many situations, including the workplace, men interrupt and speak over women, while the reverse rarely happens,” the pack says.
Appropriate ways of discussing Australian history is also outlined, and staff are urged to “recognise reality” over European arrival, by using terms like ‘colonisation’, occupation, or invasion instead of ‘settlement’.
“We have a long and proud history of promoting inclusion among our people, our customers, and society, including support of indigenous issues, gender parity in business and marriage equality,” Grant said.
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