Outcome of my company asking everyone to add pronouns to signatures

[McOrange]

My company (a large corporate) finally jumped on the pronoun bandwagon. I’m on a committee of senior people so managed to steer the comms away from making it mandatory to being voluntary. To which our D&I Committee assured me that everyone would definitely definitely do it cos it’s the right thing to do etc etc

This happened a few months ago and so far only 2% of people have added it (pretty much just the D&I Com). I spoke to some younger people today and casually asked if they were going to do it and they all said no, it’s bollocks, no interest etc.

It’s a small victory but I felt very pleased at this! We have a dotted line as an organisation in to a bigger co which is one of Stonewall’s trans ally companies so pleased to have retained this tiny bit of control.

As you all were.

They also said work should pay any employees transitioning costs.

That's some brass neck.

Nice to hear people saying 'No', seems like the adults are back in the room.

The CEO of my DH’s company suggested a company-wide pronouns policy. My DH, who has listened to me ranting on for months, pushed back and presented all the reasons why it might not unilaterally be a good approach.
As a result she back tracked and made it voluntary, and currently the tally stands at her and the very vocal ‘non-binary’ employee.

@snoopyfloops

I'm on this particular mission too OP. So far I've convinced my big (famous) company to leave Stonewall, undone a policy to add pronouns and killed a plan to convert loos to gender neutral. Holding back the TRA is my mission and I chip away every single chance I get. Thankfully my CEO and COO are with me.

I hate that thing where people do that repeated bowing down but I think I might just do it for you!

Also, that's brilliant OP!

@snoopyfloops

I'm on this particular mission too OP. So far I've convinced my big (famous) company to leave Stonewall, undone a policy to add pronouns and killed a plan to convert loos to gender neutral. Holding back the TRA is my mission and I chip away every single chance I get. Thankfully my CEO and COO are with me.

👍💐🌹💞

@snoopyfloops

Gosh I wish I'd posted about all this stuff earlier. The whole tra, stonewall debacle makes me so angry and feel so hopeless. But I've been working away at it at my organisation and maybe we just need to share these wins to keep our spirits up.

So to all of us for fighting the good fight so, hopefully, our daughters won't have to.

I’m liking your work OP

Good to hear this thanks OP.
In my super woke organisation, it's quite common to add pronouns. But none of the management. My boss recently made a big song and dance about it and added pronouns but then a few weeks later she / they changed signature and the pronouns disappeared. I silently applauded but I haven't asked her/ them about it

Well done, OP - this is so heartening to read!

Respect snoopyfloops!

98% of staff thinking either "f**k it" or "can't be arsed". That is brilliant and reassuring.

Well done OP!

At our place it was 'voluntary' to declare our sexuality, gender identity and pronouns - but the kind of voluntary where they set a task with a deadline and keep reminding you. It's been heartening to see how ridiculous and cringeworthy people are finding it, including recent graduates.

Sexuality! Bloody hell.

Sexuality? Seriously? Wow. that's got to be an infringement, surely?

Declare my sexuality? In my email signature?

Tbh I spent a year accidentally having an email signature that didn't include the name of the organisation I work for and I don't think anyone noticed

Well done Op and @snoopyfloops

Yes I think it would infringe human rights to insist on this, especially sexuality! I mean, who on earth needs to know that in a professional setting?!

I may as well write:

Piapiano
Senior arsewipe

Likes cats and reading in trees
Thinks the Guardian has poor journalism
Born by caesarian section
Has a wooden leg

@RedDogsBeg

I spoke to some younger people today and casually asked if they were going to do it and they all said no, it’s bollocks, no interest etc.

Now that made me smile.

Me too!

My organisation has just encouraged everyone to add their personal pronouns. I'm very heartened by the fact that one of the senior men who's very involved in the LGBQT+ network hasn't changed his email signature. I think it's helped give lots of people the courage to ignore it

@NotTerfNorCis

Well done OP!

At our place it was 'voluntary' to declare our sexuality, gender identity and pronouns - but the kind of voluntary where they set a task with a deadline and keep reminding you. It's been heartening to see how ridiculous and cringeworthy people are finding it, including recent graduates.

Sexuality?! Where do you work, Tinder?

I spoke to some younger people today and casually asked if they were going to do it and they all said no, it’s bollocks, no interest etc

My hope for the future has been partially restored. Excellent news.

Really good news OP.

I also work for a large organisation and have seen 7 people using pronouns in signatures. From this, 3 are in E, D& I, 2 in HR and 2 are not great at reading the room and bandwagon types.

In one meeting a colleague had pronouns in zoom name, another noted this, and first colleague sighed and said she thought she had taken it off. She had clearly done it to appease a group somewhere. There is little clear audible chat about the trans issues, but there is talk about 'woke' issues preventing discussion and debate.

I was delighted when I received my NHS letter to remind me to book smear test last week, it referred to women needing the test and said I could ask for a female clinician. Amazing relief to see normality.

Brilliant women all!

I got asked what my pronouns were at work. I genuinely had no fucking idea what anyone was talking about. I kept saying ‘ of course I am a woman, do I look like a bloke to you’?’ ‘They??? How can anyone be a ‘they’? ‘That’s grammatical bollocks surely?’ I felt like I had landed in an alternative universe. I have never been asked again and you could see from the squirming faces THEY were embarrassed, not me. I was genuinely thick in this instance but my advice is even if you know what they are talking about - act thick.

@Libraryghost I plan this tactic as do not talk about my awareness of the issues at work.

Lines that are true that I will ask if discussions arise...but I haven't changed anything, I'm a woman so don't think this means me, but men use urinals, but I need to use the sanitary bins / change my mooncup, what about our visitors who include children and safeguarding. See the squirming to practical questions.

Omg amazing @McOrange and @snoopyfloops

Thank you for this cheering news and your amazing ninja missioning!