It has happened.. pronouns have reached my workplace

If they’re going to discriminate, you avoiding adding pronouns won’t make a blind bit of difference.

So there is no point in adding them. Problem sorted, Ta.

We have it as part of our professional email signature template...you add it if you want to. No big deal. Most people don’t bother but my colleague does because her surname is a male first name, so people often forget the surname, first name email address format and call her by her male surname. The addition of female pronouns is a handy wee reminder to people who don’t know her and may be about to call her the wrong thing!

I personally don’t see the ‘discrimination’ angle being very applicable given that your name is generally in any professional email signature so unless you have an ambiguous name, people can tell if you’re female even if you don’t put pronouns. If they’re going to discriminate, you avoiding adding pronouns won’t make a blind bit of difference.

It's not just about pressure. Workplaces don't have the legal right to make people announce their transgender status - which is in effect what this would be doing for at least some people, whose rights are as valid as anyone else's. In fact broadcasting anyone's transgender status could be a breach of GDPR.

I've changed my plan after following a few threads about this. I now think there's a lot to be said for giving them as little information - and as little rope - as possible. I'm now going to stick to, 'No thanks' for as long as I possibly can.

Somebody on mn came up with a great response when she was pressured by her work. She said she didn't want to put any pressure on trans people who hadn't come out yet so in solidarity with those who weren't out as non binary yet, she wouldn't use any pronouns.

Brilliant! out woke them.

I'm fairly senior so it has come up at manage my meetings - I just reiterate that I believe it would be harmful to me as a woman and refuse. My refusal means that others who are less senior also feel they don't have to comply.

I'm always very polite but firm

@Chrysanthemum5 Do you get asked by your line manager etc why you have not added them?

I've gone through this twice at work with requests to add pronouns. I'm very clear that research shows women are treated more harshly in environments where there are reminders of biological sex so I won't be adding my pronouns. So far I've staved it off