Howard Brown Slams Halifax Over Pronouns Name Badge Row

Halifax's most famous employee has branded the bank 'disgraceful' in a row over pronouns being displayed on staff name badges.

The high-street bank took to Twitter on Wednesday (29 June) to announce that it would be including pronouns on name badges, sharing a photo of a new badge alongside the caption: "Pronouns matter #ItsAPeopleThing".

While many people supported the move, some aired their objections - but the bank well and truly dug its heels ins.

After one particular commenter branded the move 'pathetic virtue signalling' and claimed it would 'alienate people', Halifax responded: "We strive for inclusion, equality and quite simply, in doing what's right. If you disagree with our values, you're welcome to close your account."

And another person who threatened they would be closing their account in response to the move was duly provided with details on how to do so.

Now, none other than Howard Brown has hit out at his former employer.

More than 20 years ago, Howard staved off competition from more than 4,000 other candidates to star in the bank's adverts, and almost overnight he became a household name - so much so, that at the height of his fame he had to stay in a safe house (seriously).

But the former face of the bank is less than impressed by its name badge stance and the way it has treated its customers.

"I think it's disgraceful," he told the Daily Mail. "That's not the Halifax I knew, that's not the customer service I knew.

"If this had happened when I was working there, we'd all have been shocked and disappointed.

"It's a service industry – you should leave politics to the politicians. They've got this one wrong."

He added: "Personally, I wouldn't wear one... I'd just have a badge with my name on and that would be that."

Employees at Halifax are not required to wear a name badge featuring pronouns, rather, it is offered on an optional basis, with the aim of promoting inclusivity.

The bank's initial tweet announcing the pronoun badges has become the most-liked tweet it has ever posted.

A Halifax spokesperson told LADbible: "We want to create a safe and accepting environment that opens the conversation around gender identity.

"We care about our customers' and colleagues' individual preferences so, for us, it's a very simple solution to accidental misgendering."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Halifax

Topics: UK News

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey