Microsoft Research: The video discusses the complexities of pronoun sharing in the workplace and offers recommendations for software design to support diverse gender identities.
Microsoft Research - Pronouns in the Workplace: Learning Inclusive Software Design from Real-World Experiences
The video highlights the challenges of pronoun sharing in the workplace, emphasizing that traditional binary gender norms do not capture the full spectrum of gender identities. It discusses how pronoun sharing is influenced by social context, workplace power dynamics, and the use of digital tools. A study by Microsoft Research involving 78 participants from various countries and industries revealed that pronoun sharing decisions are complex and context-dependent. The research identified three main findings: the complexity of pronoun sharing decisions, the influence of workplace power dynamics, and the role of technology in facilitating or complicating pronoun sharing. Based on these findings, the team recommends that pronoun sharing features in workplace software should allow for comprehensive individual customization, always be optional, and measure success by user safety and self-expression rather than adoption rates. The research underscores the importance of autonomy and self-expression in pronoun sharing and calls for collaboration with trans and non-binary communities in designing workplace tools.
Key Points:
- Pronoun sharing in the workplace is complex and context-dependent, influenced by social context and power dynamics.
- Workplace software should allow for individual customization of pronoun sharing, including privacy and visibility settings.
- Pronoun sharing features should always be optional, with clear information on data usage and storage.
- Success of pronoun sharing features should be measured by user safety and self-expression, not adoption rates.
- Collaboration with trans and non-binary communities is essential in designing inclusive workplace tools.
Details:
1. 🌐 Understanding Pronouns in the Workplace
1.1. Understanding Pronouns in the Workplace
1.2. Impact of Digital Tools on Pronoun Sharing
2. 🔍 Research on Pronoun Sharing
- The research involved interviews with 78 individuals across 14 countries and seven languages, emphasizing the importance of linguistic diversity in understanding pronoun usage in global workplaces.
- 56% of participants identified as trans or non-binary, and the rest were a mix of LGBQ and cisgender individuals, providing a diverse perspective on pronoun usage.
- Pronoun sharing decisions are significantly influenced by social contexts, with acceptance levels varying across departments and workplaces, impacting inclusivity efforts.
- Workplace power dynamics affect individuals' comfort levels with pronoun sharing, particularly for those in lower power positions who fear negative evaluations.
- Technology offers solutions for pronoun sharing but raises data privacy concerns, with participants seeking transparency on how their data is used.
- Implications for workplace policies include creating supportive environments for pronoun sharing, addressing power imbalances, and ensuring data protection when using technology for pronoun sharing.
- Case studies or specific examples could enhance understanding of how different workplaces successfully implement pronoun sharing practices.
