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Users of Google Workspace can now set their pronouns and who can see them as part of the collaboration tool suite’s personal information cards.
Announcing the change in a “Weekly Recap” post on the Google Workspace updates (opens in new tab) blog, the company also explained that pronouns also appear in Google Contacts, accessible via the “open detailed view” option in the information cards that appear when you hover over Workspace profile pictures.
If an administrator has enabled the feature for their organization, users can set their pronouns and visibility in their google account (opens in new tab)while admins can learn more about the feature from The Google Help Center (opens in new tab).
Google Workspace Pronouns
Like it is sometimes the caseGoogle’s latest nifty tweak to its business productivity tool collection is not available to people with personal Google accounts.
The tech giant is keen to point out that only users with different Google Workspace plans, as well as older G Suite Basic and Business customers, can access the feature through their organization.
While it’s a welcome feature, it’s somewhat baffling that a feature focused on personal expression is only available in a work environment, one where people may feel less comfortable or pressured to express themselves.
Google already gives Workspace users the choice to specify their gender, which affects how Google refers to and presents them to other Workspace users.
For example, users might see text like “message her”. Similarly, if a user identifies as, or rather does not specify, a different gender, Google products will refer to that user as “them.”
The latest move that allows users to display their pronouns is simply a more overt way to present those choices, and for organizations to show clear support for trans and alternative gender identities. We’re all for it.