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Tips for Working with Transgender Coworkers

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Tips for Working with Transgender Coworkers Key Terms Transgender Law Center changes law, Gender Identity policy, and attitudes so that all people A person’s internal, deeply-felt sense of being can live safely, authentically, and free male, female, something other, or in-between. from discrimination regardless of their We all have a gender identity. gender identity or expression. Gender Expression If you are looking for additional sup- An individual’s characteristics and behaviors port hiring or working with transgen- such as appearance, dress, mannerisms, speech der professionals contact the nation’s patterns, and social interactions that are Tips for Working first transgender employment program, perceived as masculine or feminine. Transgender Economic Empowerment with Transgender Transgender Initiative (TEEI). Visit www.teeisf or An umbrella term that describes people whose call 415-865-5632. Coworkers gender identity and/or gender expression is different from their birth assigned gender. To learn more or to get help, please An information and resource publication Transgender women are people who transi- contact Transgender Law Center at for employees tion from male-to-female (MTF). Transgender www.transgenderlawcenter.org. men are people who transistion from female- to-male (FTM). Gender Non-Conforming Gender non-conforming people have, or are perceived to have, gender characteristics that do not conform to traditional or societal expec- tations. Transition The process of changing genders from one’s birth assigned gender to one’s gender identity. There are many different ways to transition. For some people, it is a complex process that takes place over a long period of time, while for others it is a one- or two-step process that happens more quickly. Transition may include social aspects such as: • “Coming out”: telling one’s family, friends, and/or co-workers Transgender Law Center • Legal aspects changing one’s name and/or [email protected] sex on legal documents p 415.865.0176 f 877.847.1278 • Medical aspects such as accessing hormone therapy or possibly medically necessary www.transgenderlawcenter.org surgical procedures. Not all transgender people access medical care Photos credit: Eugenie FitzGerald as part of their gender transition. Whether they © Transgender Law Center 2015 do so does not make their gender transition any less real. 2. RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE BE- TWEEN YOUR PERSONAL VALUES AND Tips for Working with THE COMMUNITY VALUES OF YOUR WORKPLACE. Some people have political, Transgender cultural, and/or religious objections to some- for improving services for one being transgender. Being professional and Coworkers transgender people respectful to a transgender coworker does not require abandoning these beliefs. It does, how- ever, mean that you may not act upon them in the workplace and instead that you uphold Transgender people are employed in every common workplace values of dignity and re- spect for all your coworker(s). Transgender industry and profession throughout the and non-transgender employees want to be country, and deserve a safe and inclusive treated respectfully; the best way to do that is 4. DON’T ASSUME THAT YOUR TRANS- workplace. Although employment discrimi- to separate out private values from workplace GENDER COWORKERS KNOW EVERY- conduct. THING ABOUT ALL TRANSGENDER IS- nation based on gender identity is illegal SUES. While some transgender coworkers almost everywhere, many transgender 3. RESPECT YOUR COWORKER’S CON- may have a special interest in discussing trans- people still face harassment and unfair FIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY. Many non- gender-related issues, others may not. It might transgender people have a lot of questions treatment on the job. Helping to ensure make sense to you to discuss a news story or about their transgender coworker’s gender movie about a transgender issue with your that your workplace is free of discrimina- transition. However, it is inappropriate to ask coworker. The same might be true if you have tion and harassment is very simple. The a coworker – transgender or not - questions a question about a transgender civil rights or following tips can help you comply with the about their private medical history, such as medical issue. Before doing so, however, make whether they have had surgery. It is likely that law while making your workspace safe and sure that your coworker really wants to dis- some coworkers feel comfortable enough with cuss these things. What you may find is that welcoming for all employees. one another to discuss private issues, but it is they have other shared interests with you that important that you not assume that your trans- they’d much rather discuss. Just because some- gender coworker will want to discuss their pri- one is transgender does not mean that they 1. DEMONSTRATE RESPECT. Transgender vate health care matters with you if you ask. wish to discuss every transgender-related issue coworkers do not expect any special treatment. Instead allow your coworker to initiate any that may arise. They simply want to be respected. Treating a conversation about their transition. And if they do share such information with you. remember transgender coworker with respect means 5. HELP COWORKERS WHO ARE HAV- addressing them by the name and pronoun that to keep it private and not discuss it with others ING TROUBLE WITH ANOTHER EM- reflects their gender identity. Unless they tell unless you are told that it is OK to do so. Sometimes one you otherwise, transgender women want to be PLOYEE’S TRANSITION. of your non-transgender coworkers may have referred to with the pronouns “she” and “her” difficulty showing respect to their transgen- and transgender men want to be referred to der coworker. Others may mistakenly use the with the pronouns “he” and “him.” If you are transgender coworker’s old name out of habit unsure of what pronoun to use, you can politely and may need to be gently reminded about the ask your coworker how they would like to be new name or pronoun. Other times, the per- addressed. Also, just like all coworkers, trans- son may have trouble separating their personal gender people do not want other employees values from the community values of the work- talking about them behind their backs or place. In those instances, it is helpful if you making fun of them. Treat your coworkers the talk to them about how their behavior affects way you would want to be treated at work. not only your transgender coworker, but you as well. This will help them understand that their actions have larger consequences than they may know..
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