Hey folks, I’m a freelance voice-over artist and QA reviewer working on training content, usually things like workplace harassment and diversity courses. Recently, I was asked to QA a course on workplace harassment—and noticed the client had removed all references to gender, replacing it with sex. Anywhere the word “gender” appeared, it was just… gone or replaced.
It seems like a subtle thing on the surface, but it’s not. It completely shifts the tone and scope of the training. It feels like a quiet rollback of DEI principles, and honestly, it made my stomach turn. The kicker? I need this job. Turning this down could burn a bridge I can’t afford to lose.
I have a good relationship with the lead on the project (who’s just relaying instructions—they don’t have control over the content decisions), and I want to say something. At the same time, I’m scared that even a polite pushback could cost me.
Has anyone else been in this kind of situation? How do you draw the line when your ethics and survival are at odds? Would really appreciate your thoughts.
Ever ask yourself what you would have done if you’d lived in Germany in the late 1930s?
Wonder no more. You’re doing it now.
What work have you turned down? Let’s hear your brave tales of resistance so the rest of us know what to do.
There it is- the classic centrist liberal two-step: first assume I’m American so you can deflect responsibility with ‘what are you doing?’, then scold me for commenting while not being American when you realize I’m not the one failing to stop fascism in your country. Pick a lane, or better yet- grow a spine.
That’s a lot of words just to say you have done nothing.
So, nothing? You’ve done nothing.