Declining to put my preferred pronouns in my email signature

[HowDoIGetThisThingOff]

It's finally happened, I've been "told" to put my preferred pronouns in my email signature at work.

I've emailed back saying my preference is that I don't do this. But I'm feeling a bit anxious 😬.

Please can I get some advice on what to say if they come back with questions or pressure to comply?

If I see someone using their pronouns I assume they are either indulging in idiotic virtue signalling or are young, naive and caught up in this. This is not an image I want to project of myself to the outside world. I haven’t been asked to use my pronouns, but I won’t be kneeling to Big Brother and doing so if I am.

I don’t expect my co-workers to label themselves as lesbians, Muslims etc. how could my gender identity (if I had one) be anyone’s business but mine?

I’d reply that I wasn’t ready to be outed by labelling myself as I hadn’t yet decided. Or something else to make them stop.

No thanks to stating pronouns. It's too political. And not needed.

If in doubt, use my name. Or whatever. I don't care. But I wouldn't add pronouns to my email.

Because i'm obviously female, therefore you know that i am her, she or Miss, if i was male i would be he, him or Mr. Simples

@SerendipityJane I didn't know that!

That's my feelings. If I see pronouns in an email signature, I am alerted to the fact the person using them is highly credulous and so I take anything they say with an enormous pinch of salt.

Genuinely can’t see the issue. Just put the pronouns. Seems a strange hill to die on.

No.

Interestingly enough, I've noticed on LinkedIn that a few connections who had pronouns now don't. and looking in my feed they are definitely in the decline.

I would be hopeful. But then I remember that punk was replaced by disco.

What if I don't want to because it lends credence to an ideology I don't agree with?

You and probably everyone who voted for him. Guess it shows reading still has it's place. just not in the US. Well, not Texas leastways.

@maltravers and @Waitwhat23 , those are my feelings. I've worked 40 years without it being necessary, I don't know why it suddenly is now. In every single case at work, I could have told you who was she/her or him/his. Is it just to make a point?

Pronouns are useful.

They do provide an insight into the person using them.

This made me laugh! @MsFogi Needed that today :)

Women are routinely disadvantaged, discriminated against and subject to stereotypes in the workplace.... why would I want to further highlight the fact I'm female?

What other protected characteristics would you like me to advertise?
My religion, any disabilities I might have? What about my marital status, sexuality and pregnancy??

That's weird, when there's a whole thread of people discussing what the issue is...

No thanks to stating pronouns. It's too political.

Ooh I like this, if I'm asked at work I think I'll say "no thanks, it's all become far too politicised for me".

@SerendipityJane definitely didn't vote for him, in UK, but just like listening to the shitstorms in the States...

It certainly is.

Arebella you make me laugh

You can but I’ll decide and it’s a no

Women are routinely disadvantaged, discriminated against and subject to stereotypes in the workplace.... why would I want to further highlight the fact I'm female?

This. Times a million.

It seems if you’re a middle aged woman, that your comfort is not required. Only everyone else’s. Unless they’re boring, in which case they need to make the i boring people feel comfortable, with their own discomfort.

Seriously?
Do you not know that women are routinely discriminated against in the workplace? Not to mention subjected to sexual harassment?

I include mine because I have a name most English people assume is masculine. Don't care whether someone else does it or not, up to them.