LGBT+ inclusion | Should employees put pronouns on email signatures?

It is becoming increasingly common to see pronouns in people’s email signatures and in social media bios.

A recent Forbes article authored by Jamie Wareham explained, that for many transgender people, having pronouns in email signatures or social media bios is an easy way to communicate which pronouns they would like others to use and also normalises the conversation around gender. But should employers encourage people to do this in the corporate world to create more inclusive working environments?

Kirrin Medcalf, Head of Trans Inclusion at Stonewall – the charity that campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people across Britain – explained that including pronouns in email signatures is a positive step to showing that an organisation is “committed to trans equality and that trans staff can be themselves at work”. Getting someone’s pronoun right may sound like a menial gesture, but for many people it is extremely important.

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Medcalf said that, without this practice in place, there’s a risk that “trans staff may have to out themselves to avoid being misgendered in the workplace. So, pronouns in email signatures not only helps co-workers learn how to respectfully refer to one another, they ensure staff avoid mistakes, like misgendering, which can be especially hurtful for trans staff, but also embarrassing for those who aren’t trans.”