A university has asked its staff not to use words like "pensioner" and "elderly". The University of Manchester believes terms such as these are "ageist".
According to The Telegraph, workers at the university have been requested to call people aged 60 and over "mature individuals" instead, in a report on inclusive language in the school's guide. The report said: "Only include age if it is relevant, for example with initiatives that are only available for a particular age group.
"Don't use age as a means to describe an individual or group where it is not relevant, such as 'mature workforce' or 'young and vibrant team'. We actively avoid ageist terms such as 'elderly', 'OAPs [old-age pensioner]', 'pensioners' or 'youngsters', instead using terms that are objective."
A spokesperson for the university told The Telegraph: "Our guidance document encourages the use of more inclusive language to avoid bias or assumptions and not to talk to people in ways they might perceive as disrespectful. Our approach is in line with most other organisations, who would not use ‘OAP’ in an official communication."
