Asked to put preferred pronouns on email signature

[Ermokthen]

Just had an email from team leader following a diversity workshop that she’d like us all to put our preferred pronouns on our email signatures, as this was a suggested take home action.

Other members of team already responded, some enthusiastically, others clearly not bothered and just going along with team leader.

I really don’t want to do this and have no idea how to respond without being targeted as any number of negative things. Help please...

But just so I can sense check - aibu not to want to put she/her etc after my (very feminine and not to be confused otherwise) name on my email signature?

There's usually a tick box saying, "Prefer not to say". If you don't want to say and there is no box, just write that.

I wouldn’t see an issue. I am happy to be called she/her.

Surely this is just to make you feel comfortable in the work place if biologically you are male but identify as a female so when talking to you they use pronouns that won’t offend you.

I just wouldn't do it. I doubt I'd be brave enough to confront anyone about it, but I wouldn't do it.

I'm female ive always been female and I have a name that's clearly a female name. Surely it should therefore be assumed (as it has been my entire life) that I use female pronouns unless I was to say otherwise.

I would refuse if my workplace tried this

I work in an equality and diversity role and I would hate this too. I fear it is going to be asked of us though as our new manager is from Stonewall.

Our organisation is very 'look at how good we are with LGBT+) but there are real issues with institutional racism and disablism to the point of them being taken to tribunal several times.

I don't see why I (or anyone) should have to disclose our sex or prove it. This trend for she/he after our names / twitter ID etc is just stupid.

Followinf as I am in the same situation- Have been told that those who don’t do it are not supportive of non binary people.

@saltedunicorns see?

"Pronouns change from one day to the next, sometimes multiple times in a day, so I am unable to specify. Please use whichever you see fit"

Sunrise, it falls over when you are physically female but identity as male or none binary. Then you just become an object for piss taking. Or worse, you are assumed to be taking the piss out of genuine ( aka biologically male) transpeople

Preferred pronouns: Fuck. This. Sht.

My friend has a unisex name and has short hair and is constantly being called he and Mr which is embarrassing for other people who get it wrong but if she was required to do this too then it would solve the problem.

Not sure why you'd not want to do it tbh. It literally causes you no stress or extra effort (would have been easier than writing this post)

i reject the idea that 'gender' overrides biological sex so i think this is a load of crap. compelled speech is harmful.

try 'it' - that'll make people feel nice and awkward.

One more nail of the coffin of common sense 😔😔😔
I want out!!! 😭

@saltedunicorns

jesus, people really do find problems with everything don't they? just do it, or don't, but i don't see why you had to ask, if you didn't want to do it.

Not really, they might not understand why it’s being asked or the pros and cons, or any said or unsaid implications. Not everyone wants to just blindly do as they're -told- asked without any understanding

In some ways I don't really mind what people refer to me as because I wouldn't be there, but if I had to express a preference I would prefer to be referred to as my first name - e.g. 'Have you seen Nite recently? No I haven't seen Nite.' It would feel like regression for me to declare a pronoun as I like having a gender neutral title. I like being Dr Nite Screamer. I would never think of myself as she/her but at the same time I am not he/him or they/them either.

I would suggest: "I am happy for people to use whichever pronouns they prefer when speaking about me in the third person. I will therefore not be expressing a preference"

It's the line I intend to use if it ever comes up as an issue.

i reject the idea that 'gender' overrides biological sex so i think this is a load of crap. compelled speech is harmful

This article about two female entrepreneurs who invented a male cofounder called Keith Mann found the responses to 'him' were far more positive than responses them them as women.

This is just one illustration of how women are disadvantaged so why should we have to disclose unnecessary information. If I want to sign off as J Smith, it should be no-one else's business and does not affect how people do business with me or my ability to do my job.

'I am happy for people to use whichever pronouns they prefer when speaking about me in the third person. I will therefore not be expressing a preference"

This is how I feel as well.

@hellsbellsmelons

I'm not sure how that would look at the end of an email. I've never ever known anyone to put this. You put your name and that's it. What does it matter was sex you are or what you identify as? So what..??? I put; Jane Smith (she) Really?

Someone I know professionally puts "My preferred pronouns are..." at the end of a professional email.

Ignore it

I identify as a billionaire supermodel and my pronoun is your/their majesty

@AhNowTed

Surely the point off all this inclusiveness is that If YOU don't want to you shouldn't have to.

For those that want to, go ahead.

Absolutely, this.