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Creating an inclusive workplace starts with something as simple as a name
Employees involved in our Asian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group share about why it is important to take the time to learn how to correctly pronounce the names of your colleagues.
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As we continue to build an diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve, saying a colleagues name correctly is a sign of respect and is often the first step in creating a environment of inclusivity.And yet, many people still experience having their name mispronounced, and worse, some are even asked to change their name to “something that is easier to pronounce.” At work, it is difficult to feel valued, appreciated and respected, when something as simple as pronouncing your name correctly is consistently overlooked.
For Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we asked a few employees engaged in our Asian Pacific Islander (API) Employee Resource Group to share about their experiences.
“I think a lot of South Asian people just go along with mispronounced versions of our names because we don’t want to make a fuss, but it’s actually something pretty important to at least try to get right. Names are our identities. I did make a small fuss about saying my name correctly when I started working, but hearing people try to pronounce my name the way it’s intended makes me feel more included than I’ve ever felt at a workplace.”
— Anjali Arora, Renewables Engineer | Uhn-juh-lee Uh-roar-uh
“Our names are something that defines us and are a part of us. It is very difficult when people make a mockery of it. Most people are not saying it wrong out of bad intent, they are saying it out of unfamiliarity.
Team leaders and team members can set a good example by making a point to correctly pronounce the names of their colleagues. And if you’re in a meeting or in the break room and someone’s name is being mispronounced, use it as an opportunity for education.”
— Harin Desai, Director, IT Architecture and Emerging Technologies | Hur-In Da-sai
“I believe people feel more appreciated when you remember their name and pronounce it correctly, it really demonstrates that you care.
I’m proud to be the executive sponsor of our API employee resource group, because Dominion Energy and our IT department would not be successful without the talent and contributions of the API community. As a leader within Dominion Energy, it is an honor to recognize and nurture the growth of API.”
— Steve Wooten, Vice President and Chief Information Officer | St-eve Woo-ten
As we look to foster a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, we can all start with something as simple as celebrating the parts of us that make us unique – and sometimes that just happens to be our name.
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