Pronouns in Email Signature

It is not very uncommon to see pronouns in email signatures and sometimes even the social media bios of many individuals. But at the same time, it isn’t too far from being widespread.

So, why do people usually do it?

Basically, showing your pronouns is like a silent message to everyone you encounter to not assume your gender. With merely seconds to make an impression in your email communication to receive a response or get a follower on your social media accounts, showing your pronouns can make all the difference you need.

The reason why this decade will observe more and more businesses and people doing it is pretty simple: it normalizes discussions about different genders. Rest assured, it will be a conversation that will be beneficial for everyone.

So without wasting any more time, let us help you understand the purpose of gender pronouns and the reasons why you should add them to your professional email signatures.

The Use of Pronouns in an Email Signature

Gender pronouns are becoming a vital aspect of practically every professional email communication. As a result, most organizations now include gender information as part of their email signature policies.

This practice helps reduce misgendering and allows companies to take a step towards inclusivity and diversity. Adding pronouns in your email signature gives the receiver the clarity and confidence to address you respectfully in the way you like and prefer to be addressed. 

In practice, gender pronouns in your email signature are merely just an additional line in your signature that can be included right beside your name, contact details, and job title. There’s no need to add anything that’s way over the top, explanatory, or over-complicated.

It can be just a simple addition of pronouns, enough for people to know how you’d like to be referred to in your future email conversations.

Should I Add My Gender Pronoun In My Email Signature?

The short and straightforward answer to this is yes! The fact you have this question in mind indicates you care about the pronouns people are using to address you. Sometimes, people even have so much as a hint that the way they’re addressing you might be an issue for you.

Therefore, you should inform them how you wish to be addressed for the benefit of both. This particular action sets the base for empathic email communication. It clears your email recipient’s doubts and uncertainties regarding how they should address you. In addition, it contributes to your emotional wellbeing too.

So, in reality, the question should be, “Why shouldn’t you add pronouns in your email signature?” Now, the answer to this question is that some people might view gender pronouns as useless or more of a nuisance.

A few others might possibly associate the sender with liberal values or political views. This can be distressing for some in the beginning. But you do not need to take it into account once everything is said and done. In the end, you have to ensure your own wellbeing.

Reasons to Add Pronouns in Your Email Signature

Even if including pronouns in your email signature doesn’t matter to you, it surely does matter to your contacts. Sometimes, our actions and words can significantly impact others, and you never know the excellent business opportunities it can lead you to.

Besides your email signature, you can include pronouns to all your social media profiles, such as LinkedIn next to your name.

Something as minor as adding a handful of words to your LinkedIn profile or email signature can significantly impact your business. It lets your potential clients and existing clients know that your business is making all efforts for inclusivity and is rather broad-minded and open to learning new things about gender equality.

At times, even if stating pronouns isn’t something you worry about, it might be vital to your email recipient. That goes to say you wouldn’t be seen as a non-inclusive or bad company if you avoid adding pronouns in your email signature. It’s just that adding them will definitely provide your company with an edge.

With YourEmailSignature, you can easily create professional and attractive looking email signatures that include your pronouns, along with all the essential and professional information such as your name, home address, office address, phone number, social media links/icons, and your picture.

It only takes a minimal effort to add your pronouns. In addition, they help make your brand stand out as more diverse, inclusive, and approachable.

What Are My Gender Pronouns

Your own gender pronouns entirely depend on you. If you are identified as a cisgender and use pronouns for whatever gender you were assigned at birth, consider yourself lucky and free of all the troubles in having to explain your gender pronouns to every single person you encounter.

However, it is also possible that not everybody feels the same way. On the contrary, transgender people wish to express their gender differently and identify themselves as different from their birth sex. And then there come the non-binary individuals, who identify themselves as neither females nor males to sort their gender.

Lastly, some people wish to include preferred pronouns in their email signature, which refer to those pronouns people would like to be addressed. Thus, sometimes even a small act of asking people their gender pronouns can significantly help them feel more included.

The 3 Most Common Pronouns in Email Signatures

Truth be told, there are various sets of gender pronouns a handful of people might use, making it a bit complicated to understand. Still, the three most traditional and widely used ones are as follows:

• She/hers/her: These are the pronouns used for people who say they classify as feminine or female.
• He/his/him: These are the pronouns used for people who say they classify as masculine or male.
• They/them/theirs: These pronouns are basically used in singular form for individuals who aren’t explicitly classified. They don’t clarify with either male or female pronouns and are typically observed as gender-neutral.

Other than these, there is an entire slew of other pronouns that individuals may choose to use for themselves wherever they fall on the spectrum of gender.

Gender Pronouns in an Email Signature: Business and Work Ethics

These days, it is accepted for people to not identify themselves with the pronouns they were assigned when they were born. Instead, these individuals prefer to be identified differently.

Indeed, the last thing to do is to inadvertently offend your potential business partners or clients. Even though asking the other person about their pronouns is relatively easier, you can do this more respectfully over email communication.

This is what calls for basic email etiquette. So when you are dealing with someone in a corporate setting, it is vital to proceed with care and see that you’re properly addressing them.