What’s in a pronoun?

Pronouns are words used to replace someone’s name in a sentence such as he/him, she/her or they/them. Sharing your pronouns when you introduce yourself, in your email signature, and in your bio or social media profiles helps create a more inclusive environment.

“We talk a lot about pronouns and there’s a really good reason for that,” explains Amelia Newbert, Managing Director for Skipping Stone, an organization that supports trans and gender-diverse youth, adults and families. “We know anecdotally from our clients and from numerous pieces of research, normalizing asking for and using people’s pronouns is the singular most impactful thing we can do to create affirming and welcoming spaces.”

Amelia was part of a Pride Month panel in June, presented by Petro-Canada and PRISM, Suncor’s 2SLGBTQ+ employee inclusion network. Throughout this discussion, panelists highlighted the importance of addressing pronouns and the role they play in fostering an inclusive environment for all employees.

Panel member Mackenzie Broomfield, founder of Inua Counselling and Support Services, says using pronouns is one action people can implement immediately to create more inclusive spaces for colleagues, friends and family, and community, “Sharing your pronouns, and not assuming someone else’s by getting into the habit of asking people what their preferred pronouns are, is a great way to be visibly supportive of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.”

As the event came to an end, co-host and PRISM member Eldon Lew announced that the IT team would be activating the pronouns function on Microsoft Teams, giving employees the option to include their preferred pronouns in their Teams profile.

The implementation of pronouns in Teams is a small but important step in removing barriers and enhancing inclusion and allyship. Employees can visibly showcase their support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community by simply adding in their pronouns to Teams.

“Sharing your pronouns is a great way to demonstrate allyship and make our work environment more inclusive,” says Christine Fraser, Director Organizational Development and Inclusion & Diversity.

Additionally, the act of using an individual’s chosen pronouns can help build a positive culture and improve communication amongst teams, allowing our employees to feel comfortable and perform to their full potential.

PRISM’s outreach has not only influenced inclusion in the workplace, but in the community as well. With Suncor ‘s continued support for the Calgary Pride Parade & Festival, employees and allies, including Rich Kruger, Kris Smith, Jacquie Moore, Vicky Li and Kimberley Mullins, participated in this year’s Calgary Pride Parade alongside more than 35 employees and their family members, which took place on September 1.

This collective commitment to inclusivity both within the workplace and the wider community, showcases Suncor and PRISM’s dedication to fostering a supportive and affirming environment for all.