Ask HN: Does your employer want you to state pronouns in email signature?

I work for a large Tech US multinational. We are now being recommended (not compulsory) to include our preferred pronouns in our email signature going forward.

My case: my social circle is all politically left leaning to various degrees, however I don't think any of them use pronouns on social media. Most of my team were completely bemused when this was raised in staff as they genuinely did not know that stating pronouns was a thing.

I am interested to know peoples thoughts:

How widespread this is across industry? Do you think this is a good/bad initiative?

That's the intent. I haven't done it yet (I probably should), but while I don't see neutrality towards stating pronouns in the following manner, I do see resistance from people around stating pronouns as being potentially motivated by bias. Inclusiveness boosts work output from everyone, and assuming peoples' pronouns is a rapid way to alienate a measurable population of workers to a degree that could impact their success.

Of the three east coast firms I've worked in the last six years, I've seen it recommended at two. I've seen it dissuaded at zero.

Edit: made the change on HN. I did it on Twitter some time ago apparently. It's also interesting watching the points swing on this. I suspect it's equivalent to corona masking in a way: common usage of pronouns reduces exposure to hatred by non-cis folk much the way usage of masks reduces exposure to covid-19 and complications by vulnerable folk.

> How widespread this is across industry?

Not very widespread.

> Do you think this is a good/bad initiative?

Extremely bad initiative. It would seriously make me question whether or not I would want to stay at that employer. Of course I wouldn't set any pronouns and refuse it if they required it.

I am eagerly waiting for the ultra left-leaning HN crowd to downvote me to oblivion!

Since the pronoun movement I've found myself avoiding pronouns altogether. For example instead of "team, welcome Jane. She is our new lead designer. She previously worked at acme corp" I would say "team, welcome our new lead designer Jane who previously worked at acme corp"