Pride Season in Canada is a great opportunity to celebrate and bring 2SLGBTQI+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Plus) communities and their allies together to highlight their resilience, and acknowledge their contributions. Canada has always been at the forefront of the Pride moment. According to Statistics Canada, Canada is a home to 59,460 transgender and 41,355 non-binary individuals accounting for 0.33% of the population in the 15 years and older age group.
Moreover, Canada was also the first country to provide census data on transgender and non-binary people in the 2021 census.

 As a business leader or owner in Canada, creating an inclusive work environment for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals within the 2SLGBTQI+ community in your workplace is a smart business strategy. In today's world, there is increased awareness and visibility of gender diversity. It has become even more important to learn about and understand the importance of using correct gender pronouns to honour and respect people’s self-identified gender identities.

According to the US National Library of Medicine study, simply using the correct pronouns raises a person’s self-esteem and has a direct impact on their well-being and sense of belonging. Asking for someone’s pronouns is a good practice to get into. At Agilus, several of our team members have included their preferred pronouns on their digital signatures and even on their LinkedIn profile. This is one way recruiters and hiring managers can avoid relying on the idea that everyone you meet uses the pronouns that align with how they visually present themselves. Asking for pronouns and mentioning your own pronouns enables a safe and welcoming space where everyone’s gender identity is acknowledged. Furthermore, it helps avoid assumptions and potential misgendering. 

Betterup.com has some advice on respectfully asking someone for their pronouns and what to do when you use the wrong pronoun.

Here are five reasons why using gender pronouns in the workplace is important:

1. Inclusivity and Respect

Using the correct gender pronouns demonstrates respect for an individual's gender identity and reinforces an inclusive work environment. In addition, it acknowledges and affirms the diversity of gender identities beyond the binary of male and female.

2. Promoting Psychological Safety

When we address individuals by their correct gender pronouns, it helps create a psychologically safe environment where they feel valued and accepted, leading to increased job satisfaction, productivity, and overall well-being.

3. Avoiding Misgendering

Misgendering occurs when someone is referred to or addressed using incorrect pronouns that do not align with their gender identity. Misgendering can cause discomfort, distress, and feelings of alienation for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. By using the correct gender pronouns, we can avoid unintentionally causing harm or reinforcing stereotypes.

4. Building Trust and Relationships

Using gender pronouns shows you are mindful and considerate of others’ identities, which can help build trust and more robust relationships among colleagues. It fosters a sense of belonging and encourages open communication.

5. Leading by Example

By using gender pronouns correctly, organizations and individuals can set an example for others, promoting a culture of acceptance and inclusivity. In addition, it encourages others to follow suit, creating a positive ripple effect within the workplace.

Why else gender inclusivity matters in the workplace

While it is crucial to address everyone with their preferred pronouns, it is also important to regard that some people may not feel secure or comfortable sharing their pronouns due to past negative experiences, concerns about discrimination, or personal reasons.

Always respect individuals' autonomy and never make it obligatory to provide gender pronouns. While it is well-intentioned to foster inclusivity, respecting individual choice is also equally important. Always clarify that sharing pronouns is optional, allowing individuals to decide whether and when they feel comfortable doing so. Respecting their autonomy and providing a safe space for self-disclosure is key to promoting inclusivity and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

More employers are setting clear expectations to ensure a diverse and inclusive work environment. It is important to reflect that in your job postings as well. Gender neutral job titles are a great place to begin. Creating a workplace culture that values and respects gender diversity helps foster an environment where everyone can thrive, attracts equity-deserving candidates and contributes significantly to your Employer Value Proposition and employee engagement.

For more than 46 years, Agilus has served our candidate and employer networks, connecting great job seekers with meaningful employment. We place nearly 10,000 job seekers in roles every year in Engineering, Technology, Professional/Office, and Light Industrial roles. Check out our open roles on the Agilus job board, create a job alert or build a profile so our more than 100 recruitment professionals can find you quickly when a role becomes available. Please follow us on LinkedIn,  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for job seeking tips, new roles and Agilus news.