The new options to voluntarily report preferred pronouns, gender identity and "X" sex marker are now available under personal details in HR Direct.
Photo: Adobe Stock (edited)
The first phase of a collective effort to foster a more inclusive environment at UMass Chan Medical School and across all UMass campuses is now completed and available to all UMass employees.
Human resources and diversity and inclusion staff members on UMass campuses collaborated with UMass President Marty Meehan’s office to launch the Inclusive Identity Project, a program allowing employees to select their preferred pronouns, gender identity, and a new value “X” to the sex marker in the university’s human resource systems.
“By allowing individuals to self-report sex markers, gender identity and pronouns, the university shows its commitment to respecting and valuing each person's identity,” said Vanessa Long, executive director of people operations at UMass Chan. “We want all employees to feel seen and valued, and believe an inclusive workplace fosters a positive culture; attracts prospective students, faculty and staff; and enhances job satisfaction and retention.”
The next phase of the Inclusive Identity Project will enable employees to select a preferred or chosen name.
In addition to improving inclusivity campus wide, the Inclusive Identity Project advances human resource data, creating a foundation for better reporting and analysis in the future.
An Inclusive Identity Project information session is being held on Monday, Jan. 13. The session will provide employees with the opportunity to hear more about the project, its status, functionality on HR Direct and the project’s long-term strategy. Employees are encouraged to register for the event.
More information can be found on the UMass Chan human resources page and on the President’s Office website.
The new options to voluntarily report preferred pronouns, gender identity, and "X" sex marker are now available under personal details in HR Direct. Resources for employees to update their chosen names in email and Teams accounts are also available.
