Marks & Spencer has introduced the option for all its employees to wear name badges featuring their chosen pronouns.
The move – which came from a suggestion via the retailer’s employee suggestion initiative – now means that M&S workers right across the country have the to use “whichever combinations of pronouns is right for them”
Announcing the decision to introduce the new pronoun badges, a post by the retailer shared to online business and employment platform LinkedIn said: “Recently, we introduced pronoun name badges for our colleagues, encouraging as many of them as possible to wear whichever combination of pronouns is right for them.
“An amazing initiative provided by one of our colleagues Morgen Kane to our ‘Suggest to Steve’ programme as we continue to build an inclusive future, together.”
The introduction of the badges is said to have been met with praise by staff.
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Alongside the LinkedIn post, M&S posted a photo taken by employee David Parke, 28 – a food PR manager from Croydon – in which he showed his own pronoun badge reading: “He/Him/His”.
Marks & Spencer has introduced the option for all its employees to wear name badges featuring their chosen pronouns / Credit: Facebook (M&S – Manchester)
“Giving people the option to display their pronouns at work is really important as it encourages them to show allyship towards trans and non-binary colleagues,” Mr Parke told the PA News Agency.
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“Many of us already include our pronouns in our email signatures, but when you’re talking to people in person, it’s useful to know how they want to be referred to in order to help everyone feel comfortable and avoid any misgendering.”
He continued: “Right now, trans people in the UK are facing more abuse and discrimination than ever before, and so it’s up to all of us to create an inclusive culture and make sure everyone gets the respect they deserve.
“It’s great that M&S is proactively taking these sorts of steps to support and celebrate LGBTQ+ colleagues.”
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Sasha Misra – Associate director of communications and campaigns at leading LGBTQ+ rights organisation, Stonewall – added: “It’s great to see an increasing number of businesses offering the option of badges with pronouns for staff.
“Creating an inclusive workplace starts with everyday actions, and having pronouns on badges is a simple yet impactful way to make sure LGBTQ+ identities are respected.”
National Lottery hunts for Tameside player who’s not claimed £1m winnings
Daisy Jackson
The hunt is on to find a National Lottery player in Tameside who’s won £1m – and not claimed it.
The missing millionaire won the huge prize on a Lotto ticket bought on Wednesday 1 July, somewhere in the Borough of Tameside.
But with just two months to go until the prize expires, the player has still not come forward to claim their winnings.
The winning numbers in were 5, 8, 26, 33, 39, 42 and the Bonus Ball was 54.
Now, the National Lottery is renewing its search for the millionaire, calling for the mystery winner to cash in their prize before it expires at midnight on 28 December.
National Lottery Senior Winners’ Advisor Andy Carter has been out in Tameside ‘hunting’ for the missing millionaire, visiting everywhere from Portland Basin to Hartshead Pike.
Andy said: “I’ve searched high and low across Tameside for our missing millionaire, but I’ve had no luck.
National Lottery hunts for Tameside player who’s not claimed £1m winnings. Credit: Anthony Devlin/Assignments/Press Association
“With just two months left to claim this £1 million prize, now is the time for anyone who bought a Lotto ticket in Tameside for the 1 July draw to have another look.
“The winning ticket could be tucked away somewhere completely ordinary, while its owner has absolutely no idea they are a millionaire.
“We’d love to find the person we’ve been looking for and turn this search into a celebration. So, if you bought a ticket in the area, dig it out, check those numbers and help us find Tameside’s missing millionaire. It could be you.”
With all National Lottery draws, players have 180 days from the day of the draw to claim their prize if they have the winning ticket. Anyone who has any queries or who believes they have the winning ticket for any of the National Lottery draws within the 180-day deadline should call the National Lottery Line on 0333 234 5050 or email [email protected].
Featured image: Supplied – Anthony Devlin/Assignments/Press Association
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Public urged to call the police if they see this wanted man
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Police are appealing for the public’s help in tracing a wanted man with links to Macclesfield and Alsager.
Joshua Wyatt, 34, is wanted on recall to prison, and officers are urging anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts to come forward.
Wyatt is described as being 183cm (6ft) tall and of medium build, with a bald head and blue eyes.
Police believe he has links to both Macclesfield and Alsager.
Anyone who sees Wyatt or has information about where he may be is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or report information via the force’s website.
Information should be provided quoting reference number 26000809013.