{"id":7822,"date":"2022-02-23T16:56:45","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T19:56:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bybrand.io\/blog\/?p=7822"},"modified":"2022-09-26T11:08:47","modified_gmt":"2022-09-26T14:08:47","slug":"email-signature-pronouns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bybrand.io\/blog\/email-signature-pronouns\/","title":{"rendered":"Should you use gender pronouns in your email signature?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Using gender pronouns as part of your email signature is becoming increasingly popular. Individuals and companies alike are recognizing the fact that not all people fall into just two groups: male or female.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To include those who don\u2019t see gender as binary, to support the LGTBQ community and project a culture of inclusivity, the trend is to use gender pronouns in email signatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering whether your employees should be able to include their own pronouns in their email signatures, here\u2019s everything you should know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding pronouns to email signatures \u2013 where it started<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it can be a hot political topic, the pronoun-identifying practice started some time back in non-profit and academic institutions. Today, it has become increasingly common in the corporate world as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rationalization behind the practice is that it\u2019s important to recognize that many people in the workforce are part of the \u201cgender expansive\u201d community. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation defines this as \u201cthose that do not self-identify as male or female.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recent Pew Research survey found<\/a> that roughly 20% of Americans know someone who prefers to go by a gender-neutral pronoun. That is too big a number to ignore. When someone is referred to with the wrong pronoun, it can make them feel invalidated, disrespected, or dismissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, it makes sense for people to add pronouns in their bios, profiles, and even email signatures so that others can address them properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gender identity: The case for using preferred gender pronouns<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Using gender pronouns in an email signature is meant to make the workplace more inclusive and comfortable for all. This includes staff who identify as transgender, non-binary, or belonging to the gender non-conforming community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When organizations adopt gender pronouns as a way to acknowledge gender identity or gender expression, they send a strong message that they view gender as non-binary. It is a way to normalize the conversation and process, has little risk, and creates a more welcoming environment for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across the world, HR departments have started encouraging the practice as part of their DEI \u2013 diversity, equity, and inclusion \u2013 measures. At the same time, it has become a personal choice for many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding pronouns to acknowledge a person\u2019s gender identity<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For centuries, gender pronouns have been used in the English language to clarify whether a person is male or female. Today, society has added gender-neutral or gender-inclusive pronouns \u2013 the most ubiquitous of which is \u2018they\u2019 \u2013 to our grammar. These neutral pronouns accommodate those who do not want to be associated with a specific gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate, Time magazine reported<\/a> that 200 linguists at the American Dialect Society declared<\/a> the singular \u201cthey\u201d the 2015 word of the year. Oxford Dictionary and Merriam-Webster both also include the singular \u201cthey.\u201d In other words, \u201cthey\u201d is now a recognized and grammatically correct singular pronoun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most common masculine, feminine, and gender-neutral pronouns<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Note: this is not an exhaustive list. It\u2019s up to each individual how and when they want to add gender pronouns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feminine pronouns: She \/ Her \/ Hers \/ Herself<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n