B&Q staff have been told the phrases ‘blind drunk’ and ‘deaf to our pleas’ are offensive to disabled people.
A 30-page inclusive language guide issued by the DIY chain warns against using these phrases or any others that associate ‘impairments with negative things’.
The guidance is the latest example of diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies issued by businesses to try to be more inclusive, reports the Telegraph.
The guide asks staff to ‘understand that offensive language often includes words and phrases that reinforce stereotypes, reinforce derogatory labels, exclude certain groups of people, patronise or trivialise certain groups of people’.
The guide adds: ‘Common phrases that may associate impairments with negative things should be avoided, for example, “deaf to our pleas” or “blind drunk”.’
It also has a section titled: ‘Tips on behaviour’, which advises workers to ‘use your regular tone of voice, don’t patronise or talk down’ and to ‘never attempt to speak for or finish a sentence for the person you’re talking to’.
And, in the ‘further race and ethnicity community resources’ section, the company points towards resources for ‘Ramadan and Eid’ and ‘Diwali’ – but says nothing about Easter or Christmas.
B&Q staff have been told the phrases ‘blind drunk’ and ‘deaf to our pleas’ are offensive to disabled people (stock image)
The guide asks staff to ‘understand that offensive language often includes words and phrases that reinforce stereotypes, reinforce derogatory labels, exclude certain groups of people, patronise or trivialise certain groups of people’ (stock image)
Alka Sehgal-Cuthbert, director of the campaign group Don’t Divide Us, said the guide was ‘nonsensical’ and that B&Q need to ‘get a grip’.
She added: ‘Basic, clear outlines of sanctions/grievance procedures would be better than this effort to drum up a utopian workforce.
‘Creating a “nurturing environment” where “all can grow” is really best left to parents and gardeners.’
Ms Sehgal-Cuthbert also questioned: ‘On the community resources for race and ethnicity, why is Christianity absent when it is the longest-standing cultural and ethical resource for the biggest community of all – the British people?’