Author: Rebekah Patenaude on behalf of Inflo HR Ltd.Topic: Pronouns in the workplace
Society is constantly evolving. There is always a new topic available for discussion. One that is
often brought up in the workplace is how to be more inclusive. The topic of inclusivity has many
different forms, and it covers accessibility for mobility aids, mental health, and a wide range of
subjects. In the workplace, it is understood that an employee or employer cannot discriminate
against another person due to their gender identity.
This article is going to cover a simple but essential way to be inclusive for all individuals. Pronouns!
Pronouns? What exactly is this referring to? Gender pronouns, this is how you would refer to someone in the third person. For example, "My supervisor's name is Stefani, she is the Founder of Inflo HR Ltd."
Why are pronouns so important? Pronouns are a small way of showing your identity. And the pronouns that are commonly known are he or she to describe a man or woman. It is crucial to recognize individuals who may not associate with the body they were assigned at birth. Some individuals may be in transition or may not even associate with gender, or their gender may be fluid and change over time.
How to be inclusive without being intrusive. With this subject matter, it is the small things that lead up to the big changes. Here are a couple of examples:
It is important not to pressure someone to state their pronouns. They might not be ready to have that discussion. A simple way of showcasing that it is an inclusive workplace and safe space is modelling. For example, when meeting a new colleague or potential candidate, you could say, "Hi my name is Rebekah. I am the Human Resources Administrative Assistant. My pronouns are she/her. Please introduce yourself and state your pronouns if you're comfortable doing so."
This opens the dialogue for the person to know that if they choose to share there is a sense of comfortability without the sense of obligation.
It is essential to try to avoid generations as well as assumptions. If you don't know someone's preferred pronouns and the conversation has not taken place yet, just use the person's name. For example, "Stefani is the owner of Inflo HR Ltd. Stefani is the founder of the company and oversees everything that involves the company."
Or use gender-neutral pronouns such as they/their/them. For example, "Oh yes, I know Stefani, they are the owner of this company, and they love dogs!"
Now some people get confused because the term is often used to describe two people. When a person loses their phone, and someone reports it often, people say, "oh no, I'll bring it to security, and hopefully they can pick it up soon!" This is because usually, the person's gender is not known. When you know someone just because they may appear more masculine or feminine, the same principle does not automatically mean that they identify that way.
It can be hard in a group of people to say each pronoun. Frequently when approaching a group of people to say, "Hey guys, what's up" or 'hey, how are you ladies doing." It might not be a big deal for most people, but it might cause someone who is gender non-conforming frustration. Some examples of inclusive ways to refer to a group use terms such as "everyone, y'all or folks."
If the wrong pronoun is used, that's okay. It's an adjustment. Correct yourself and try to remember for the next time. If someone else uses the wrong pronoun, use the modelling technique, do not correct them publicly unless the person you are speaking about asked you to do so. The person you are talking about may not be ready for everyone to know, and therefore it is crucial to use the pronoun they told you and ask how to proceed if someone else uses the wrong pronoun.
The majority of workplaces have written policies and procedures. For example, when a company is advertising a new job, they are required to meet the AODA requirements. This statement may sound like this "If an applicant requires accommodation during the hiring process, he or she may contact the hiring manager." To be more inclusive to all individuals, replace the words he/she with they/them.
Honorifics are used in professional settings or when you are approaching a stranger. For gender non-conforming individuals, the gender-neutral honorific is "Mx" and is pronounced as "Mix". The x acts as a neutralizer and removes the gender from the title. Here are some examples of how" Mx" is used and the context surrounding it
The conversation around pronouns is just coming to the surface; that does not mean that gender non-conforming individuals and people of the 2SLGBTQIA+ members have not existed. They are a part of history, and as these topics evolve, every aspect of society must do as well. Whether workplaces and other venues offering gender-neutral washrooms or asking and modelling pronouns, the goal is for the world to be more inclusive—one step at a time.
https://medium.com/@transstyleguide/when-maam-and-sir-just-don-t-work-help-9abed6d2f863
https://www.themuse.com/advice/using-pronouns-gender-inclusive-language-in-the-officeTalkingAboutPronouns_onesheet_FINAL%20(1).pdf
