Council tells staff to announce their pronouns and add 'ze/zir/zem' to emails

On 16 January 2026, Wandsworth Borough Council, a Labour‑run London authority, announced that all staff must state their pronouns at the start of meetings and add the pronouns ‘ze/zir/zem’ to their email signatures. The move is aimed at giving non‑binary and transgender employees greater visibility and recognition. According to leaked policy documents, the directive will standardise pronoun disclosure across council communications, ensuring that meeting agendas and official email headers include staff pronouns. The council’s spokesperson said the practice would foster a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ staff and residents.