Language Law, council urges staff to not write ‘family’ in Christmas cards to avoid offence

Under the new inclusive language policy, employees at the Royal Borough of Greenwich in London are also advised to avoid referring to pregnant women as women or expectant mothers.

To avoid offending people who do not have relatives, council leaders have ordered staff to leave out the word “family” while sending Christmas greetings.

Employees at the Royal Borough of Greenwich in London are being urged to use the terms ‘young persons or young adults’ instead of ‘the young’ or ‘youngsters,’ and not to refer to those who are pregnant as either women or expectant mothers, according to details released under Freedom of Information legislation.

The proposals are included in Language Matters, a Labour-run authority’s inclusion guide.

Workers should avoid associating specific traits to chronological age, and instead use language like “a young and lively team” or “a team made up of people in the early stages of their careers,” according to one portion of the 42-page document.

The guidance advises against mentioning family in Christmas greetings because “not everyone celebrates these events with their own family or with anyone at all.”

‘Sending our best wishes to you and your family this Christmas season,’ for example, should be substituted with ‘Sending you our best wishes this Christmas season, whatever you’re spending it.’

To avoid offending those who do not have relatives, council chiefs in London’s Royal Borough of Greenwich have encouraged staff to leave out the word “family” while sending Christmas cards. [Image file]

It is suggested that gender-neutral words such as ‘people who are pregnant’ and ‘expectant parents’ be used instead of ‘women who are pregnant’ and ‘expectant moms.’

‘Not everyone who is pregnant is a woman — persons who are non-binary or trans guys can also be pregnant,’ the advice goes on to say.