'Sir' (noun): A polite or respectful way of addressing a man, esp. one in a position of authority.

Did you know that 'Dear Sirs' is the default salutation in legal correspondence, even when the recipient is a woman?

From selling a house to filing for divorce, it's been that way forever, and it remains the accepted standard to this day.

Our campaign highlights why Dear Sirs is archaic and sexist. It does not reflect contemporary society and alienates half of us with the stroke of a pen. 

The goal is to eradicate its use through conversation and education by challenging convention. It's high time we modernise business language to mirror and respect our wonderfully diverse workforce. 

But why is it important? Because language matters. It influences power dynamics and shapes culture. To an extent, it defines our very human experience. Like many small customs of industry, 'Dear Sirs' is so established that we don't even notice it anymore. 

To give one example, in real estate (my industry), women hold over 50% of positions in the UK, but the gender pay gap is 31%. Board representation is the worst of any FTSE sector, and gender discrepancy between middle management and senior leadership has worsened since 2016. While the statistics may vary, these trends are replicated in many other sectors across the UK. This doesn't happen in a vacuum. 

We are asking the Law Society of England and Wales to support the elimination of Dear Sirs, taking a step towards fairer, more equal and happier workplaces.

Let's replace Dear Sirs with more inclusive salutations to demonstrate our commitment to diversity and inclusivity. 

Dear All, will you join me?

Sign this petition promoting gender-neutral language in professional communication.