Getting Down to the Basics: Pronoun Usage for Genderqueer and Transgender Coworkers and Employees

Jordan, a gender queer individual who goes by the ze/hir/hirs pronouns, works doing customer service. Hir coworkers frequently use the wrong pronouns, or reject hir pronouns because they are not recognizable in their vocabulary. This makes Jordan uncomfortable and upset which hinders hir ability to perform the tasks for hir job. How can this be addressed to create a comfortable work environment for all employees? Addressing the usage of pronouns will correct this problem. Educating workers about unconventional pronouns that exist and the reasoning for their usage, instead of pestering the employee who identifies with them can create a stable environment for the gender queer employees. Asking for preferred pronouns upon meeting someone can also create less strain and enable all employees to complete tasks at their best performance.

Sample situation 1:

Jordan meets hir coworkers for the first time on a lunch break. Two of them refer to hir as “she/her” even though ze disclosed hir pronouns, in which ze corrects them. They proceed to bully hir for “making up words”. They tell hir to “choose one” to fit within the binary. Jordan returns to work upset and keeps replaying the interaction in hir head. Ze ends up giving customers incorrect information, and leaves them unsatisfied.

How could this have been handled correctly?

Jordan meets hir coworkers on hir lunchbreak. They all introduce themselves along with their preferred pronouns, and tell Jordan to disclose hir pronouns as well. There is no bullying, and Jordan feels comfortable with hir new coworkers and returns to work. Every customer receives the correct information and every question answered.

Lisa, a transgender woman who recently started hormone replacement therapy and identifies as “she”, works at Target. Since she recently started taking estrogen, people presume she is a feminine man and misgender her constantly. This causes Lisa to feel depressed and hinders her ability to interact with customers and perform other necessary job tasks.

Sample situation 2:

Lisa is restocking shelves. A customer asks her a question and ends the conversation with, “Thank you, sir”. A few minutes later, a new coworker approaches her and introduces himself. When Lisa says her name, he responds that “Lisa is a weird name for a guy”. Lisa feels uncomfortable after this interaction and misplaces a number of products.

How could this have been handled differently?

Lisa is restocking shelves. Her name tag includes her pronouns, so the customer responds accordingly. A few minutes later, a new coworker approaches her and introduces himself stating his name as well as his pronouns. He asks Lisa for her name and pronouns upon meeting her. They part ways and Lisa spends the rest of her day content and exceptionally performs every task.

Cori Chapman is the Senior Editor and Content Manager of The BLOQ+. Contact Cori at cnchapma@syr.edu.