One of Britain's wokest councils has banned staff referring to parents as mum and dad
'MUM & DAD' BAN One of Britain's wokest councils has banned staff referring to parents as mum and dad
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ONE of Britain's wokest councils has banned staff referring to parents as mum and dad.
Officials say 'caregivers' is more appropriate.
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They also advise workers to avoid using the adjectives 'young' and 'old'.
Merton Council in South London has warned its employees not to make assumptions about a child's biological parents.
Bosses claim not saying the words 'mother' and 'father' helps to 'recognise diverse family formation'.
The council's 27-page inclusive language guide — obtained by The Sun using Freedom of Information laws — also tells employees not to use 'young', 'old' or 'mature' for fear of being ageist.
It also advises workers to use 'person-centred language' — and avoid gendered phrases such as 'man the desk'.
The guidance, drawn up by the debt-stricken council's equality and diversity team, also warns: 'Avoid making assumptions about preferred names or nicknames without asking the individual first.'
Free Speech Union boss Lord Toby Young said: 'I'm amazed that Merton Council has time for this nonsense.
"I can only assume fly-tipping and potholes aren't a problem in Merton.'
A council spokeswoman insisted: 'We aim to communicate with understanding and without making assumptions.'
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