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Personal pronouns in the workplace
Having retired just over year and a half ago (and having only worked in the MoD for the previous few decades) I have a question about the use of personal pronouns in the workplace. Just before I left my job, my employer encouraged employees to insert their chosen personal pronouns in the straplines of their emails - and I wonder if anyone on here is aware of any disciplinary measures they have experienced or know of regarding certain colleagues not using them for the individuals concerned.
I don't have an agenda regarding this matter, as such, although referring to an individual as 'they' would not come easy.
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
I’ll admit this is something I don’t know enough about. I supported an old member of one of my teams with their transition from male to female but still don’t know enough.
As with everything in life I think a lot of education and conversation needs to take place. Too many dismiss these feelings as a “fad”, I’m sure the same was said of gay people back in the day.
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
Taunton Blue Genie
Having retired just over year and a half ago (and having only worked in the MoD for the previous few decades) I have a question about the use of personal pronouns in the workplace. Just before I left my job, my employer encouraged employees to insert their chosen personal pronouns in the straplines of their emails - and I wonder if anyone on here is aware of any disciplinary measures they have experienced or know of regarding certain colleagues not using them for the individuals concerned.
I don't have an agenda regarding this matter, as such, although referring to an individual as 'they' would not come easy.
We had a related discussion the other day. "They" just sounds wrong for an individual. If someone doesn't want to be a "he/him" or a "she/her" the only option left is "it".
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
I'm not bothered on people's personal choices and it makes no difference to me who someone is or becomes, man to woman woman to man, gay, lesbian, masturbates over robots, I literally don't care
But please don't shout at me if I happen to get the pronoun correct. I'm not doing it out of ignorance, as I said you are what you are and it's your business, but accept that not everyone is going to get things right and don't throw a hissy fit when people naturally do get it wrong.
Not sure if that's classed as a rant,but you have my word it's not one :hehe:
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
Taunton Blue Genie
Having retired just over year and a half ago (and having only worked in the MoD for the previous few decades) I have a question about the use of personal pronouns in the workplace. Just before I left my job, my employer encouraged employees to insert their chosen personal pronouns in the straplines of their emails - and I wonder if anyone on here is aware of any disciplinary measures they have experienced or know of regarding certain colleagues not using them for the individuals concerned.
I don't have an agenda regarding this matter, as such, although referring to an individual as 'they' would not come easy.
The Church of England are considering the use of gender neutral terms for God. Maybe you could ask them what they'd do if someone didn't start the 'Lords' Prayer 'Our Parent, who art in Heaven...'?
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
dembethewarrior
I'm not bothered on people's personal choices and it makes no difference to me who someone is or becomes, man to woman woman to man, gay, lesbian, masturbates over robots, I literally don't care
But please don't shout at me if I happen to get the pronoun correct. I'm not doing it out of ignorance, as I said you are what you are and it's your business, but accept that not everyone is going to get things right and don't throw a hissy fit when people naturally do get it wrong.
Not sure if that's classed as a rant,but you have my word it's not one :hehe:
Please God tell me that ‘masturbates over robots’ was just something daft that you plucked out of thin air. :hehe:
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
Taunton Blue Genie
I don't have an agenda regarding this matter, as such, although referring to an individual as 'they' would not come easy.
I have a " they " in my girls team, " they " have been a " they " for a while now, I used to struggle to remember ( I really did ), but after a while it becomes 2nd nature, as it happens as a " she ", " they " were one of my daughters best mates ( still are ), when we dont have a game I often bring them ( my daughter and her friend ) up to see city play
to be fair to " them ", who I explained to " them " that I would make mistakes and it wasnt me taking the pee, " they " said " I know Matt, you will try your best " " they " were very grown up about it and accepting that I would make mistakes, its was no drama when I did, still isnt, as occasionally I forget and get it wrong, " they " made the choice and are being very grown up about it when people do Make mistakes
when I call in the team, I have changed it from " in you come girls " to " come on in team " just to try and be respectful, as it happens " they " said to me " I still play for a girls team, so its ok to shout as you normally did " once again, showing a certain acceptance and maturity about the situation
When writing a match report, I found it tricky with them and they, but as you have seen above, I just use " they " ( for the person ) and they for the group, the Quotation mark has helped in that aspect
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
splott parker
Please God tell me that ‘masturbates over robots’ was just something daft that you plucked out of thin air. :hehe:
Yes :hehe:
First thing that popped in my head
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dembethewarrior
I'm not bothered on people's personal choices and it makes no difference to me who someone is or becomes, man to woman woman to man, gay, lesbian, masturbates over robots, I literally don't care
But please don't shout at me if I happen to get the pronoun correct. I'm not doing it out of ignorance, as I said you are what you are and it's your business, but accept that not everyone is going to get things right and don't throw a hissy fit when people naturally do get it wrong.
Not sure if that's classed as a rant,but you have my word it's not one :hehe:
I agree with the getting it wrong. Unless someone is being blatantly antagonistic. The lady on my team was brilliant about it it be fair.
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
UNDERHILL1927
I agree with the getting it wrong. Unless someone is being blatantly antagonistic. The lady on my team was brilliant about it it be fair.
Exactly mate, it's all new and it'll take time :thumbup:
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
Am I reading this correctly. Politeness dictates you have to refer to someone how they wish to be addressed?
I suppose that would extend to a crossdressing bloke who's 6' 4" and has a beard down to his knees whose name is Martin but identifies as Martina on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?
What a load of bollox!
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
It’s interesting observing this from afar, no such thing exists here, not even a consideration for discussion. I understand that the opinion will be that Poland is decades behind the UK but that’s the way it is.
It’s similar with regards to racism, the perception is very different
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
Organ Morgan.
Am I reading this correctly. Politeness dictates you have to refer to someone how they wish to be addressed?
I suppose that would extend to a crossdressing bloke who's 6' 4" and has a beard down to his knees whose name is Martin but identifies as Martina on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?
What a load of bollox!
unless they are castrated? then there are no bollox
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
Organ Morgan.
Am I reading this correctly. Politeness dictates you have to refer to someone how they wish to be addressed?
I suppose that would extend to a crossdressing bloke who's 6' 4" and has a beard down to his knees whose name is Martin but identifies as Martina on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?
What a load of bollox!
without coming across as all PC and snowflakey ( and I never thought I would type that on here about myself :shrug:) it really doesnt Hurt you to try and be obliging to Martin / Martina
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
blue matt
without coming across as all PC and snowflakey ( and I never thought I would type that on here about myself :shrug:) it really doesnt Hurt you to try and be obliging to Martin / Martina
Nothing snowflakey about empathy mate. The world needs more of it
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
Des Parrot
It’s interesting observing this from afar, no such thing exists here, not even a consideration for discussion. I understand that the opinion will be that Poland is decades behind the UK but that’s the way it is.
It’s similar with regards to racism, the perception is very different
I know that it is also being addressed linguistically in France, Germany and Spain.
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
Organ Morgan.
Am I reading this correctly. Politeness dictates you have to refer to someone how they wish to be addressed?
I suppose that would extend to a crossdressing bloke who's 6' 4" and has a beard down to his knees whose name is Martin but identifies as Martina on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?
What a load of bollox!
Surely it's up to the person being addressed how they wish to be addressed? If everyone adhered to that simple bit of common decency we'd have no problems.
I'm sure that if I addressed you as a prejudiced old cock face you'd not be too happy, which is why I never would never refer to you as that.
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
blue matt
without coming across as all PC and snowflakey ( and I never thought I would type that on here about myself :shrug:) it really doesnt Hurt you to try and be obliging to Martin / Martina
Absolutely, and this is what I cannot understand. Some people get all annoyed at not being able to address someone as they want because that person doesn't want it. Weird.
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
What I don’t get is why anyone would want to be referred to as it.
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
the other bob wilson
What I don’t get is why anyone would want to be referred to as it.
Apart from that cousin in the Addams Family.
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
the other bob wilson
What I don’t get is why anyone would want to be referred to as it.
Isn't it the correct way though if you stick to the rules of the English language?
Calling a single person they, they is plural isn't it?
I know it doesn't sound nice and I understand not wishing to be called it, but it is the right word.
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
Eric the Half a Bee
Surely it's up to the person being addressed how they wish to be addressed? If everyone adhered to that simple bit of common decency we'd have no problems.
I'm sure that if I addressed you as a prejudiced old cock face you'd not be too happy, which is why I never would never refer to you as that.
You may be okay to go along with an obvious pretence rather than risk causing offence, but some of us retain a backbone.
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
dembethewarrior
Isn't it the correct way though if you stick to the rules of the English language?
Calling a single person they, they is plural isn't it?
I know it doesn't sound nice and I understand not wishing to be called it, but it is the right word.
I take your point, but I’ll always think calling a person it is either an insult, a joke or a mixture of both.
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Re: Personal pronouns in the workplace
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Originally Posted by
dembethewarrior
Isn't it the correct way though if you stick to the rules of the English language?
Calling a single person they, they is plural isn't it?
I know it doesn't sound nice and I understand not wishing to be called it, but it is the right word.
There is a case when 'they' has been traditionally and correctly used as a singular (and on lieu of "he or she" e.g. "Regarding the person who borrowed the spare laptop, would they please return it as soon as possible."