Personal pronouns have become a wide topic of conversation in the world of human resources over the last several years. When your organization makes the effort to acknowledge each team member’s personal pronouns, you are conveying a message of inclusivity and equity in the workplace. Keep reading to learn about how to incorporate pronouns into the workplace from the experts at Prescott HR.

What is a personal pronoun?

Personal pronouns are an important component of a person’s identity. Individuals use pronouns to convey what they would like to be called when not using their first name. Here are some examples of personal pronouns:

• He/him/his
• She/her/hers
• They/them/theirs

Why use personal pronouns?

Some individuals value personal pronouns more than others because they want to avoid the experience of being misgendered, which can lead to feeling alienated or excluded. Allowing your team members to express their personal pronouns can help avoid anxiety or stress in your organization. 

How can my organization incorporate personal pronouns?

Now that you understand how personal pronouns work and why they are important, here are a few ideas to implement them at your organization:

• Use inclusive language: Avoid using blanket pronouns when addressing a group. Instead of saying “hey [guys, girls, ladies, etc.] when starting a meeting, try saying “hello, everyone,” to communicate with a group. 

• Allow pronouns in email signatures: While this should not be a requirement, you should give your employees the option to express their personal pronouns in their email signatures. In addition to email signatures, you can encourage your employees to also share their preferred pronouns in their LinkedIn bios, Slack bios, or Zoom profiles.

• Share your pronouns when you meet someone: This is a great practice, especially during the hiring process. When introducing yourself to someone new at your organization, get in the habit of also saying your preferred pronouns along with your first name.

• Apologize when you make a mistake: Incorporating more inclusive personal pronouns in the workplace can take practice. Give yourself some grace if you make a mistake and state the wrong pronouns for a colleague or team member. Start by apologizing, then correcting the pronoun, and don’t dwell on the mistake. This can make the person feel uncomfortable or cause anxiety.
• Keep job descriptions inclusive: If you allow online applications to open positions within your organization, then give the option for job candidates to provide their preferred personal pronouns. This conveys that you respect your team members’ preferences and how they want to be addressed by their employer.

Work with Prescott HR

Are you interested in making your organization more inclusive? We are here to help! Prescott HR offers a wide range of services that can help your organization evaluate your current policies and incorporate new ones, as needed. Our unintimated HR practices allow us to be focused and effective, providing your business with precisely what you need. Give us a call today at 443-351-8818 or contact us online.