Business Leaders Who Reject Pronouns Say It's 'Too Confusing'
workers' pronouns for being "too confusing," a new workplace study found.Roughly 15 percent of business leaders in a Resume Builder survey say they're unwilling to use they/them pronouns, and 10 percent outright won't use transgender employees' preferred pronouns.These statistics might be jarring as companies continue to engage in conversations around how to boost inclusivity and increase retention for a workforce that is increasingly demanding employers align with their values and identity.The conversation over pronouns has even entered U.S.
law, as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) added workplace bias protections that would secure transgender employees' rights to use their preferred pronouns and bathroom.
It would also protect workers who had received abortions from being discriminated against within the workforce.The business leaders surveyed said that traditional views were the largest reason for their opposition to they/them pronouns.
Around 64 percent of the nearly 900 surveyed leaders who aren't willing to accept pronouns said they don't believe you can choose your own pronouns, while 40 percent said it was "too confusing."As companies look to adapt to the new protections in place, it's likely new rules around pronouns and gender identity acceptance will change, the report indicated."Workplace guidelines are there to help set a standard across organizations for behavior.
