When it comes to offering pronoun options for employees, the most inclusive practice is to allow people an option to describe their own pronouns. It might be an added step for Human Resources, but the benefit is priceless: the likely few people who use customized options will have the opportunity to have their identities seen and heard in your workplace. For example, some people use more than one pronoun, like “she/her/they/them” or “they/he.”  Others who are bilingual or work with bilingual clients might use “she/ella” or “he/him/il/lui.”

Here is what we use for our LGBT Bar membership:

Pronouns (select all that apply):

-He/him/his

-She/her/hers

-They/them/theirs

-Other (please specify below)

If you answered Other, please specify your pronouns: ________

Including pronouns wherever you see someone’s name takes the pressure off of those whose pronouns are often called into question and creates a better culture of inclusion. It also signals that your workplace is familiar with and welcoming to transgender and nonbinary employees.