A recent poll has found that gender biased language is rampant within UK workplaces.
Women were asked to make tea or coffee almost three times (42%) more than men (16%). Women are also more than twice as likely than men (50% vs 21%) to be asked about the wellbeing of their children, and twice as likely to be asked to do menial or admin-based tasks (37% vs 19%).
The survey also found women are the target of sexist jokes almost three times more than men (43% vs 15%).
31% of workers admit that it makes them feel uncomfortable when they hear colleagues, customers or clients using gender biased language. Respondents cited “persistently being called lady” or “sweetheart or darling all the time” as examples that make them feel uncomfortable and devalued.
These types of comments in the workplace are contributing to employees feeling dismissed and undervalued; 28% of workers decide not to contribute in some meetings due to this feeling. 28% of men agree that gender biased language holds them back from reaching their full potential at work.
