"White male lawyers should ‘think twice before talking about sport at work to avoid excluding women’
Sir Geoffrey Vos, a senior judge, also says talk about elite schools is likely to make less privileged colleagues feel ‘uncomfortable’
White, male lawyers should think twice before talking about sport at work to avoid excluding women, Britain’s second most senior judge has said.
Sir Geoffrey Vos said that conversations at work dominated by sports and opera can exclude women and ethnic minorities.
Speaking at a conference, the Master of the Rolls said that these subjects could prevent women and ethnic minority colleagues from taking part in “incidental conversation”.
Older, white male lawyers “like the sound of their own voices” and “fail to see themselves as others see them”, Sir Geoffrey said.
“If white male lawyers are regularly talking about subjects that do not interest women or ethnic minority lawyers and those from less privileged backgrounds, they will inevitably feel excluded,” he told the Legal Services Board conference.
“It is difficult to generalise about what topics might make particular groups feel excluded. But women are often less interested than men in sport.
“Talk about elite schools and universities is likely to make those that did not have the opportunity to attend them uncomfortable.”"
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...rt-work-avoid/
Rule number 1 - don't talk about sports
Sir Geoffrey Vos, a senior judge, also says talk about elite schools is likely to make less privileged colleagues feel ‘uncomfortable’
White, male lawyers should think twice before talking about sport at work to avoid excluding women, Britain’s second most senior judge has said.
Sir Geoffrey Vos said that conversations at work dominated by sports and opera can exclude women and ethnic minorities.
Speaking at a conference, the Master of the Rolls said that these subjects could prevent women and ethnic minority colleagues from taking part in “incidental conversation”.
Older, white male lawyers “like the sound of their own voices” and “fail to see themselves as others see them”, Sir Geoffrey said.
“If white male lawyers are regularly talking about subjects that do not interest women or ethnic minority lawyers and those from less privileged backgrounds, they will inevitably feel excluded,” he told the Legal Services Board conference.
“It is difficult to generalise about what topics might make particular groups feel excluded. But women are often less interested than men in sport.
“Talk about elite schools and universities is likely to make those that did not have the opportunity to attend them uncomfortable.”"
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...rt-work-avoid/
Rule number 1 - don't talk about sports
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