The Importance of Inclusive Language in the Workplace

 At OH One, we’re always looking for ways to promote a healthy and happy workplace. However, many times that isn’t directly linked to the health of the employee – although can fundamentally impact it.

The use of inclusive language is one of the ways you can promote a happy and healthy workplace.

Appropriate workplace language can have a huge impact on the way in which your employees feel about themselves, their work, and their colleagues. Ensuring that you’re using the right terminology when you speak to your employee reinforces the message that you care about them, that you care about treating them with respect, and that you care for their feelings.

What is appropriate and inclusive language?

Some may think that inclusive language is just another tick-box exercise, but they couldn’t be more wrong.

Inclusive language enables employees to feel as though the workspace is a safe place for them to exist in.

This language may include:

• Respecting people’s pronouns.

• Not using derogatory remarks at the expense of either gender.

• Having conversations that aren’t offensive in undertone or meaning.

How much of an issue is inappropriate language?

Consider the issues that people may have with ‘workplace banter’.

When you’re interacting with a colleague, you may never truly know how they feel about a topic. It might be that they’re undergoing serious surgery, curious about their identity or sexuality, or even questioning their beliefs and religions.

To make a joke at the expense of any of these topics can cause irreversible harm to the employee in question.

What is the impact of inappropriate language?

We’ve touched on the ways that inappropriate language can make people feel.

However, it’s important to note the impact that these feelings can have on a person’s mental health.

To continually be in an environment where people don’t respect you, don’t listen to you, and where you don’t feel you belong can cause mental health conditions to develop.

One of these would be anxiety.

For many people, anxiety develops from small symptoms and experiences. They may struggle with their self-esteem and may be put down by the people around them, from here, the condition may spiral into something else entirely.

Including your staff in the team doesn’t just start from the moment you hire them. It needs to be reflected in the ethos of the workplace, from your training courses to public stance on issues.

Appropriate language for the workplace is one facet of a bigger issue, but it’s critical that it’s done correctly. For if inclusive language isn’t used, then you may find that your employees refuse to stay in your workspace or that they’re reduced to merely a shell of their former selves.

If you want to survey your workspace for other potential issues or you want to find out more about how work can impact employee health, then head to the OH One website.