[Crimson Dynamo]

Network Rail has instructed staff to stop using the words "passengers" and
"pregnant woman" as part of sweeping new language guidance aimed at
making communications more conversational.

The 134-page document, titled "Speaking Passenger", eliminates formal terms
in favour of more everyday language.

etwork Rail's chief executive Andrew Haines said: "To put shareholders..er..sorry..passengers first, we
have to speak their language. That goes for all of us. Whoever we're talking to,
whatever the situation."

Gender-specific language faces broad restrictions, with "pregnant women" to
be replaced by "pregnant people" and both "mother" and "father" becoming
"parent".

Instead of “passenger,” staff are advised to use the word “you”, while terms
like "workmanship" and "mankind" should be avoided in favour of "quality of
work" and "humankind".

The traditional greeting "ladies and gentlemen" has been axed, with staff
instructed to use "friends and colleagues" instead.

"Senior citizens" should be replaced with "older people", while "Christian
name" becomes "first name" to avoid religious implications.

"We don't speak Network Rail language anymore," the guidance states. "We speak passenger."

Staff have been instructed to avoid assuming customers are celebrating religious holidays.

Instead of "merry Christmas everyone", they should say "merry Christmas to
those who are celebrating" or opt for "seasons greetings" or "happy
holidays".

https://www.gbnews.com/news/network-...pregnant-women