Hey Guys

[pErvinalia]

Australian of the Year and former Army chief David Morrison says the term "guys" should no longer be used in workplaces.

The retired Lieutenant General is today launching a new Diversity Council Australia video which aims to crack down on language which excludes minority groups.

"Exclusive language, gender-based language or inappropriate language, has as much a deleterious or disadvantaged effect as something where you're saying something blatantly inappropriate to another human being," General Morrison told ABC News Breakfast.

He said he was not trying to become the "language police" by supporting the new campaign, and expected to be criticised for the idea.

The #WordsAtWork campaign video depicts a group of women rolling their eyes at being called "girls" by a male colleague.

"All the campaign is doing is saying look, it's a proven fact that more inclusive [and] more diverse workforces create real diversity of thinking and are more productive, more effective," General Morrison said.

"And one of the ways that you can engender that type of environment is being careful about how you speak to other people, talking to them with respect and listening to their views with respect."

General Morrison said he was now trying to personally stop using the word "guys" when speaking to groups of people.

"I have now removed that from my lexicon as best I can, I think it's important."

However, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop cautioned against interfering with freedom of speech.

Ms Bishop said words such as "guys" were generic enough they should not cause offence.

"I don't think we should try and interfere with the freedom of speech in this country to a point where people are too concerned about day-to-day conversations," she said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-01/d ... s'/7465824

In my experience i've never heard it used to describe a group of all females. It's usually used as a generic term for a mixed (or all male) group of people. I've also known plenty of women who use it too. I wonder if anyone is actually overly concerned about this, or is this an actual case of one of those terms that the MRA's and conservatives use to describe men who speak for women, that I can't remember the name of?

[Svartalf]

So it ought to be guys and jills?

My, what a moron.

[JimC]

How about "Hey Goys" ?

[Svartalf]

It excludes any Jews present, that's a no no

[devogue]

"Guys" should be banned because it is just so damned faggotty.

[JimC]

I much prefer chaps...

[JimC]

I just realised how that last post sounded...

[Svartalf]

I much prefer chaps...

that's so assless...

[pErvinalia]

"Guys" should be banned because it is just so damned faggotty.

[Scot Dutchy]

In the past in Dutch it was always term "mannen" (men) that was used on ship or in the army. Now it is "mensen" (people). An option?

[rachelbean]

I like the term guys just because it is generic. Dudes is also cool with me

Anytime someone refers to me or me and other women in the office as "girls" it's usually them being a dick, so yeah I have come to kind of hate it. Also it makes you sound like my dad.

[Scot Dutchy]

I am happy to live in a non-English world.

[Brian Peacock]

I like the term guys just because it is generic. Dudes is also cool with me

Anytime someone refers to me or me and other women in the office as "girls" it's usually them being a dick, so yeah I have come to kind of hate it. Also it makes you sound like my dad.

I used to work in a general practice where the senior partner always referred to the highly skilled and efficient admin staff, who actually did all his work for him, as 'the girls' - me included. It used to really grind my gears, and not just because I have a penis

[Forty Two]

How about "Hey Goys" ?

That would exclude Jews, so.... improper. I'm not the language police, but don't say that.

[laklak]

Peons. Or perhaps "you lot".