Widely-used phrases with the word 'man' in them have been deemed offensive as insurers have been warned not to use them.
'Man the phones' and 'man the desk' are some of the phrases the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has told its members to avoid in its recently released inclusive language guide.
Insurers have been advised to use the word 'attend' in place of 'man' and say 'attend the phones/ desk' as a gender-neutral alternative.
The word pensioner has also been discouraged as the guide claims it implies the word is ageist and 'that people of certain age groups or generations are a homogenous group, failing to recognise people's individuality'.
The recommendations are intended to 'galvanise inclusion and create a more welcoming environment'.
