Pronouns in email

[Sammiesnake]

I’ve just been asked to identify my pronouns on my email signature at work and I’m finding it hard to put into words why this upsets me.

For the record, I’m not bothered at all what others choose to call themselves and accept any pronouns asked of me just as I do anyone’s name. It’s up to them.

However, I don’t want to be pointing out that I’m a female in my email signature. Why do I have to announce my gender in a work email? Why is it even relevant at all to my work? I want to be responded to as a competent adult at work, not as a female particularly.

I can’t explain how it makes me feel but basically I find it upsetting that I should have to have my gender visible on every single email I send which really has nothing to do with my gender at all!

Does anyone else feel like this? Have you managed to explain this to your workplace?
Thanks

Just say that putting your gender in your email signature makes you feel uncomfortable.

If it is pressed point out that some people might not be out in the workplace and this forces them to either misgender themselves or out themselves.

It is against the Yogyakarta principles to require people to out their own gender identity. Tell them that and watch them squirm.

Then follow up with it’s proven to disadvantage women if people are reminded they are female.

If they insist then go for he/her/god.

I just texted gnome them.
Some people have them on their ID badges.

Do you even know what your pronouns are? I've still not chosen any yet, so I wouldn't want anyone to be pressuring me to make a decision.

These pronouns seem to be really, really, really important, and I don't want to get it wrong.

In the meantime people can choose whatever they like - (most seem to follow the traditional sex-based convention to minimise confusion) - I just can't handle this sort of commitment if I have to choose custom ones.

I received one of these fucking ridiculous communications today.

An email sign off of Name (she/her)

Virtue signalling at it’s most craven

Someone suggested this at my workplace and I just said no thanks, I don't feel comfortable doing that. If pressed I would either say that I don't want to draw attention to the fact that I'm female because sexism still exists.

Is 'Da Bitch' a suitable sign off ?

@AnyFucker

I received one of these fucking ridiculous communications today.

An email sign off of Name (she/her)

Virtue signalling at it’s most craven

You want to try working in a university. It's every bloody day.

OP: tell them you can't, because it's too triggering. If they push, say you're not ready to talk about it.

Yes, too triggering and you don't feel comfortable with it.

I had an email at work and everyone else seems to have done it but I'm not.

Haven't mentioned it, just haven't done it.

Taking the line that is not helpful for people who haven't made up their minds is one way to go.

Or pointing out how fucking stupid the whole thing is.

But it is not mandatory

Nah I won’t be doing this if asked.
Not. A. Chance.

Can’t see them asking though, thankfully.

Those who have been asked to do it may I ask what sector you work in ? Public sector , private , charity ?

Saying it’s triggering is a brilliant response thank you! To be honest there are enough issues being female as work as it is. There’s enough stigma about a working mother not being as dedicated to her job (especially in lockdown with young kids at home); enough men in privileged positions (completely disproportionately to the rest of the organisation). Why would I want to point out constantly that I’m female? It really feels like shooting myself in the foot.

I just said I didn't feel comfortable announcing my pronouns yet. I got a quizzical look from my line manager but then she left it. No one said anything after that.

I want to be judged on my work not on the fact I'm a woman.
It disadvantages me to point this out.

...... That worked for me...

@GCAcademic it came from a university

Sammiesnake

Saying it’s triggering is a brilliant response thank you!

Or

"Countless peer reviewed studies show that if I indicate that I am female, part of an ethnic minority, and/or am not hetrosexual, that I will be prejudiced against. Especially as a female, many will negatively impact my work.

I prefer to keep a semblance of anonymity in the workplace due to misogynistic sexist racist homophobic cunts people judging. My professional actions can be judged on merit.

Thank you for the invite. I decline it.

I'd put he and him for a laugh.

I wouldn't.

There seem to be more and more people putting "their" pronouns in their email signatures, linkedin profiles etc etc. I immediately loose all respect (professional and personal) for people doing this. Possibly not the best career move - you never know when you're dealing with a GC feminist .

I’m retired now, but when I was at work (hospital doctor) I simply ignored any crap like this from NHS management. Don’t engage with it, don’t encourage them.
It’s usually a silly fad that enthuses them for a few weeks/months, then they move on to some other daft shit.
Most managers are too busy to spend time policing staff emails to see if you’re playing the current woke game.

It's insidious in secondary schools. I do judge people who do it. I don't even want an 'email signature'. I sign off in different ways depending who I'm emailing. I feel
I'm a competent enough human being to do that.

A friend (a man) who has a v senior role told me last week he’s started doing this and encouraging his large team to do so. I challenged this and he said ‘it makes no difference to me/you, but could help some people’ and wasn’t interested when I raised a couple of the points above.

He has some sexist attitudes so I shouldn’t’ve been surprised.