There is so much importance of inclusivity and diversity in the workplace that cannot be overstated. One powerful tool that has emerged to foster an inclusive environment is the pronoun badge. We have found that these are really popular in the healthcare and educational industry market with staff members wearing these badges to showcase their identity. These simple, yet impactful badges create a safe and welcoming space for everyone, regardless of their gender identity. Businesses and brands can utilize printed promotional merchandise to spread the message of acceptance and respect with the use of our printed promotional pronoun badges.

 

What is a pronoun badge?

A pronoun badge is a small, often an enamel pin badge or plastic badge worn by individuals to indicate their preferred pronouns. The badges can be any size, shape, any colour. The main important factor of a pronoun badge is what you put on your design. These badges typically will display pronoun sets such as "he/him," "she/her," "they/them," or other variations that reflect an individual's gender identity.

The purpose of wearing a pronoun badge is to communicate one's preferred gender pronouns to others, reducing assumptions based on appearance and helping to create a more inclusive and respectful environment. This practice is especially important in spaces where individuals may not want to assume or be assumed about others' gender identities.

For example, if someone wears a badge that says "they/them," it indicates that they prefer to be referred to with gender-neutral pronouns like "they" and "them." This helps avoid misgendering, which can be hurtful and alienating for individuals whose gender identities do not align with societal expectations.

 

 

What are the different pronouns?

Pronouns are a vital aspect of language, and respecting and acknowledging a person's pronouns is an essential part of recognizing their identity. Here's a list of some pronoun examples:

 

Common pronouns:
  • He/Him/His: Traditionally associated with male-identified individuals
  • She/Her/Hers: Traditionally associated with female-identified individuals
  • They/Them/Theirs: Gender-neutral; singular or plural

 

Gender-neutral & non-binary pronouns:
  • Ze/Zir/Zirs (or Ze/Hir/Hirs): Alternative gender-neutral pronouns
  • Ey/Em/Eir: Another set of gender-neutral pronouns
  • Per/Per/Pers: Short for "person
  • Ve/Ver/Vis: Yet another alternative set of gender-neutral pronouns

 

Less common but important:
  • Thon/Thon/Thons: An old gender-neutral pronoun
  • Xe/Xem/Xyrs: Another gender-neutral option
  • Jee/Jem/Jees: Not widely used, but some people might prefer them

 

Reflexive pronouns:
  • Himself: Refers back to a male subject
  • Herself: Refers back to a female subject
  • Themself: Singular, gender-neutral reflexive pronoun
  • Themselves: Plural, gender-neutral reflexive pronoun
  • Zirself: Reflexive form for Ze/Zir
  • Eirself: Reflexive form for Ey/Em
  • Verself: Reflexive form for Ve/Ver

 

It’s more than just a badge.

Fostering inclusivity.

Pronoun badges are a tangible symbol of respect and acknowledgement for individuals whose gender identity may not align with societal expectations. By displaying one's preferred pronouns, we signal to others that we respect their identity and are open to understanding their unique experiences.

Breaking down barriers.

Incorporating pronoun badges into the workplace breaks down the assumption that we can accurately determine someone's gender identity based on appearance alone. This encourages open communication and helps avoid misgendering, a situation that can be distressing and alienating for many.

Building trust and respect.

Wearing a pronoun badge communicates that you value and respect the diverse identities of your colleagues. This simple act goes a long way in creating a workplace culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

 

A branding opportunity.

Promoting brand values.

By offering pronoun badges as part of your branded promotional merchandise, you're sending a powerful message about your company's commitment to inclusivity and diversity. This resonates not only with employees but also with customers who increasingly prioritize socially conscious businesses.

Initiating important conversations.

When your staff and customers see pronoun badges, it sparks conversations about inclusivity, diversity, and respect. This dialogue is crucial for creating a culture that embraces differences and actively seeks to understand and support one another.

Creating lasting impressions.

Imagine a conference or trade show where your team proudly wears pronoun badges with your company's logo. This not only demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity but also leaves a lasting impression on potential clients and partners.

 

Tips when ordering your pronoun badge.

Quantity.

Our MOQ for pronoun badges is 250. The badges can then be given to staff members to boost employee morale and create a positive work environment for colleagues. They are a great way to promote how your workplace supports staff on an ongoing basis.

Deadline.

Lead times are important when ordering your pronoun badges, the sooner you order them the better. Lead times on our far-east badges can sometimes mean that delivery takes a little longer than you'd like.

Clear designs.

Ensure that the pronouns are designed on the badge with HUGE writing so that they are easy to read from far away, the bigger the font and design the better. There is also the opportunity to feature your brand colours and a company logo that staff can wear with pride.

Call to action.

Integrate call to action on your pronoun badges to take them to a website link which supports staff or a help/support line such as a phone number. This is a great way for staff to easily get in touch about services which your brand may be offering as a health and wellbeing service.

 

 

When is the right time to give out pronoun badges?

Distributing printed promotional pronoun badges at work can be a thoughtful and inclusive gesture. It helps create a more welcoming and respectful environment for all employees.

Company-wide events or meetings.

Consider distributing pronoun badges during company-wide events, meetings, or town halls. This allows a broad audience to receive them at once, making it a visible demonstration of the company's commitment to inclusivity.

Diversity and inclusion initiatives.

If your company is actively engaged in diversity and inclusion initiatives, consider incorporating the distribution of pronoun badges as part of these efforts. It aligns with the broader goal of fostering an inclusive workplace.

New employee onboarding.

Provide pronoun badges as part of the welcome package for new employees. This sets a positive tone from the beginning and communicates the company's commitment to respecting individual identities.

Inclusivity campaigns or awareness weeks.

If your company hosts events or awareness weeks focused on inclusivity, such as Pride Month, International Women's Day, or Transgender Awareness Week, this can be an excellent time to distribute pronoun badges.

Regular check-ins or reviews.

Incorporate the distribution of pronoun badges as part of regular employee check-ins, performance reviews, or similar meetings. This demonstrates ongoing support for inclusivity and acknowledges the importance of personal pronouns.

Open discussions.

Whenever your company hosts discussions, workshops, or training sessions on diversity and inclusion, consider providing pronoun badges. This reinforces the message of respect for all identities.

Dress down days.

If your workplace has casual dress days or themed dress-up days, this can be a fun and low-key opportunity to distribute pronoun badges. It can also encourage conversations about pronouns and inclusivity.

Employee resource group meetings.

If your company has employee resource groups focused on LGBTQ+ issues, gender equality, or diversity in general, these meetings provide a natural setting to distribute pronoun badges.

 

Contact us.

Are you ready to take the next step in creating an inclusive workplace? Order your printed promotional pronoun badges today and be a part of the movement towards a more diverse and accepting future. Email the Extravaganza team at sales@extravaganza.uk.com and call the team on 0116 285 2417 and they will be more than happy to offer samples, visuals, and quotes for your gift, event or big campaign that you have going on.

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