NASA has issued a new directive instructing employees, contractors, and grantees to remove pronouns from all work-related communications, including email signatures. The policy was announced through an internal memo obtained by NPR, stating that the change aligns with updated federal guidelines.
In the email, NASA states: “In response to the Executive Orders, NASA has disabled features in id.nasa.gov and Teams that allows users to add pronouns in their display name in Microsoft Outlook and Teams. For users who have previously added pronouns to their display name, those pronouns will be automatically removed from the system this week.”
The directive requires employees to omit pronouns such as “he,” “she,” and “they” from official correspondence. NASA leadership emphasized that the move is intended to maintain uniformity across communications and ensure adherence to broader government policies.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions within the agency. Supporters of the policy suggest that removing pronouns simplifies professional correspondence, while critics claim it erases recognition of gender identity in the workplace.
NASA has yet to issue a public statement on the directive, and it remains unclear whether other federal agencies will adopt similar policies. The move follows a broader trend within government institutions toward reevaluating language used in official communication. While some corporations and universities have encouraged the inclusion of pronouns in email signatures as a sign of inclusivity, NASA’s approach signals a shift in the opposite direction.
Employees are expected to comply with the new directive immediately, though enforcement measures have not been specified. As discussions continue, questions remain about how this policy will affect workplace interactions and whether other agencies will follow suit.
