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From: mfs@mhuxr.UUCP (SIMON)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: ``They'' vs. ``one'' vs. nothing
Message-ID: <300@mhuxr.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 18-Apr-85 14:31:59 EST
Article-I.D.: mhuxr.300
Posted: Thu Apr 18 14:31:59 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 19-Apr-85 00:38:52 EST
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Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
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> Michael Ellis:
>     A. When you see Bill's secretary, be sure you give him/her my memo.
> 
>        Here, the pronoun has anaphoric use; it refers to a previously
>        mentioned specific noun. Which of the below sentences is 
>        is more natural?
> 
>     B. When you see Bill's secretary, be sure you give them my memo.
>     C. When you see Bill's secretary, be sure you give one my memo.
> 
>      I'd believe that the vast majority of native english speakers
>       would at least understand (B), but not (C).

How about phrasing the sentence as:
	Be sure to give Bill's secretary my memo.

Also, in that context, it is likely that the sex of the secretary will be known.
'One' refers to a person or thing as part of a group of persons or things,
where the interesting attribute is belonging to the group. Thus 'one' would not
be the pronoun of choice in the context you cite. It is always possible, and
generally easy, to phrase gender neutrally, and avoid awkwardness.

Marcel Simon