Inclusive name tools
Name pronunciation tools available in Workday
Names are a fundamental part of our identity. Learning and respecting how someone’s name is pronounced is a meaningful way to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. No matter how common your own name may seem to you, taking the time to add the phonetic spelling and pronunciation of your name may help to remove barriers or discomfort for others.
UW employees can add the phonetic spelling and a voice recording of their preferred name to their Workday profile. These tools will help colleagues confidently and accurately pronounce names, strengthening connections and inclusivity and reflecting the University of Washington’s commitment to fostering belonging, respect and equity for all members of our community.
Get started: Log into Workday. Type “Change My Name Pronunciation” in the Workday Search Box.
Phonetic Spelling:
Add a phonetic guide to your name by breaking it into syllables and emphasizing sounds to guide pronunciation. For example:
Khang Nguyen… Kang Win
Taj Rajagopal… Tahj Rah-jah-goh-pawl
Barbara Campbell… Bar-bruh Kam-buhl
Liyou Tesfaye… Lee-yoo Tess-fay
Andriy Shevchenko… An-dree Shev-chen-koh
J’onnelle Colbert-Diaz… Juh-nel Kohl-burt-Dee-az
If you need help, try the AI Phonetic Spelling Generator: Enhance Your Language Learning with Artificial Intelligence. Once you have your phonetic name spelling ready, enter it in the “Phonetic Pronunciation” field and select Submit.
Voice Recording:
Record yourself saying your preferred name. Speak slowly and clearly. You can re-record as many times as needed until you’re satisfied with the result. Once complete, save your recording.
Please note: a pop-up window may appear in your web browser asking you to allow “wd5-impl.workday.com” to use your microphone, which you’ll need to do if you wish to share a voice recording.
To learn how to pronounce a colleague’s name: In the Workday Search Box, type their name, then select their name from the drop-down list or select Enter and choose their name from the options that appear in the People tab. If they’ve entered their name pronunciation, you can find it under their name on the upper left corner of their Workday Profile page.
Respect starts with names
Creating an inclusive workplace is a shared responsibility. While these new tools empower individuals to share how their names are pronounced, it’s equally important for managers and colleagues to actively use this resource. Taking the time to learn and correctly pronounce a colleague’s name demonstrates respect and helps foster a culture of belonging and inclusion.
Here are a few simple ways you can make an impact:
- Seek out pronunciations: Use Workday profiles to access phonetic spellings and voice recordings to learn how to say colleagues’ names correctly. (You can find others’ profiles by entering their name in the Workday Search Box.)
- Practice and ask questions: If you’re unsure about a pronunciation, practice saying it and don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.
- Model inclusivity: Set an example by using this resource regularly, and encourage others to do the same.
Additional Resources
To learn more about the importance of name pronunciation and building an inclusive workplace, explore these resources:
- Say My Name – UW Medicine
- Why Pronouncing Names Correctly Is More Than Common Courtesy – NPR
- If You Don’t Know How to Say Someone’s Name, Just Ask – Harvard Business Review
By taking small, intentional steps, we can collectively create a more inclusive and respectful environment for everyone at UW.