Marks & Spencer offering staff pronoun name badges to be more inclusive

Virgin Radio

8 Nov 2021, 16:07

M&S are flying the flag for inclusivity. The high street brand are giving their staff the opportunity to display their names and who they identify as on new badges to help customers and colleagues know whether to refer to them as ‘he’, ‘she’ or ‘they’.

The move has been applauded by campaigners after staff asked for the name choices to be made available.

Sharing the welcome news on Twitter, M&S Food PR manager David Parke explained their importance and they have ‘already helped start some very necessary conversations around gender identity and non-binary experience.’

He wrote by a picture of various publications reporting on the story: "Not quite the press coverage update I was expecting to send my boss this morning... but I am so proud to work somewhere that actively encourages us to use our pronouns at work."

He continued: "And we're in print! Huge thank you to Stonewall UK. It's so important to be amplifying these conversations in the workplace about celebrating all gender identities."

Sasha Misra, Associate Director of Communications & Campaigns at Stonewall said: "It’s great to see an increasing number of businesses offering the option of badges with pronouns for staff.

"Creating an inclusive workplace starts with everyday actions, and having pronouns on badges is a simple yet impactful way to make sure LGBTQ+ identities are respected – for employees and customers alike."