Pronouns at work...

Interesting idea @sashh

Arguably it could breach the data minimisation principle. Unless they said one of the purposes was to make trans people more comfortable or less discriminated against.

But then I would say doing it made me feel less comfortable and more exposed to sex discrimination.

I've just had a thought, isn't this a breach of the data protection act or GDPR?

(a) processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to individuals (‘lawfulness, fairness and transparency’);

(b) collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes; further processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes shall not be considered to be incompatible with the initial purposes (‘purpose limitation’);

(c) adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed (‘data minimisation’);

(d) accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that are inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they are processed, are erased or rectified without delay (‘accuracy’);

(e) kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed; personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes subject to implementation of the appropriate technical and organisational measures required by the GDPR in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of individuals (‘storage limitation’);

(f) processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures (‘integrity and confidentiality’).

God knows how brickie's, plumbers decorators and mechanics get by.

Seconded!

Someone raised it at work, I emailed telling my boss it wouldn't be happening. She said, "agreed" and we all moved on. If it was required I would contact my union.

I facilitated for years. Sometimes you don't know if someone is male or female and/or how they identify. Then it's "Terry raised an interesting point" "What was Terry saying earlier".

said my name, that I am a GC feminist, and that I don’t have preferred pronouns. There was a slightly awkward silence for a few seconds, then the next person introduced themselves.

I dont have preferred pronouns and tbh people would only use them when talking about me when I'm not there so couldn't give a shit what they say. Anyone talking to me would use my name.

If others wish to offer their preference I would always use them but never ask nor expect more than that.

Hell will freeze over before I out pronouns in my email signature. I don't care if other people want to, but it's fundamentally wrong to impose your opinions and viewpoints on other people.

Promouns are a good idea - and you can change how you want to be referred to in a click - when you are ready.

Some of us will never be “ready” to engage in this bullshit, thanks.

I was at a conference a couple of years ago when the facilitator for each table asked us to introduce ourselves, give one interesting fact about ourselves and give our preferred pronouns.

I said my name, that I am a GC feminist, and that I don’t have preferred pronouns. There was a slightly awkward silence for a few seconds, then the next person introduced themselves.

Surprisingly, the world didn’t spin off its axis.

Stop telling trans people what is helpful to us and not. Promouns are a good idea - and you can change how you want to be referred to in a click - when you are ready.

Goodness, as soon as trans people stop telling others what to do, then I'm sure we will get along great. Pronouns are not a good idea to me or many others. So stop telling other people to use them. I will never be ready to do this simply to please other people. Not. Going. To. Happen.

Pronouns are important! What makes you not want to write them? I don't see any issue in popping your pronouns at the bottom of an email.

They're not important to me. I won't be popping them anywhere.
A bit of respect for other people's feelings around this would be nice. But clearly that's too much to ask. A one way street for sure.

Why compulsory though. If someone wants to put their pronoun to help others be clear on their preferences then fine. But you should not have to this.

Yawn also

I don’t identify as trans. If you met me I’d just look like a very butch woman. But ive struggled with gender identity since my very earliest memory.

I detest seeing myself referred to as she. I’ve dealt with that in my own way. And have reached a peace. I desperately, desperately don’t want to bring that baggage of mine into the workplace. Work is a place I can be free of all that.

The idea that I might have to declare pronouns at work, in my email signature, that i see hundreds of times a day...

It horrifies me, almost viscerally. i can feel the adrenaline rising just thinking about it.

Don’t mind in the slightest what others do. But I’d honestly rather put my weight, age and sexual orientation in my email signature than declare a pronoun.

Furx. 12 stone. 53. bisexual.
Neither he, she or they. But say what you like if I’m not there.

I think I'll start writing Mrs Charlotte Smith or Miss Charlotte Smith - that should confuse a few & satisfy said employer.

Stop telling trans people what is helpful to us and not. Promouns are a good idea - and you can change how you want to be referred to in a click - when you are ready.

This is an interesting read:

'When You Put Preferred Pronouns in Your Email Signature'

leelaventura05.wixsite.com/website/post/when-you-put-preferred-pronouns-in-your-email-signature

Personally I am a post gender individualist and being forced to identify myself using pronouns violates my human rights. I insist on being addressed by my name at all times because I choose not to label myself with pronouns.

This is in the US so not much help but may be of interest

www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/03/29/court-sides-professor-who-repeatedly-misgendered-trans-student