Easy Changes to Make to Support Transgender People in the Workplace

Transgender people often run into unnecessary barriers that make their jobs harder than they need to be. The Harvard Business Review conducted a survey in which data was collected daily from 105 transgender employees, and the results showed that 47% of participants experienced at least some discriminatory behaviour on a daily basis at work. This type of discriminatory behaviour often leads to diminished job satisfaction and a greater desire to quit. This blog explores some easy changes that organisations can make to help eliminate discriminatory behaviour, and work towards creating a working environment where transgender people feel valued and respected.

?

Pronouns

The use of transgender employees’ chosen names and correct pronouns is an important way of showing them that they are respected and valued. Additionally, it may be beneficial to encourage all employees to include their chosen names and correct pronouns in their email signatures, if they feel comfortable doing so, as this can help to create awareness of how each of your employees would like to be addressed.

Adopt Transgender Inclusive Policies

Key elements that a transgender-inclusive policy should include:

·???????Bullying and Harassment Policies: Organisations should have an anti-discrimination policy and an anti-bullying and harassment policy, which they should modify to explicitly state that the organisation will not tolerate the discrimination or bullying and harassment of anyone based on their gender identity or expression.

·???????Dress code: Organisations that impose dress codes should consider altering them to include gender-neutral language. By making it clear that all employees have the choice of a range of clothing options, regardless of their gender, can help to destigmatise varying expressions of gender.

·???????Bathroom access: Introducing gender-neutral bathrooms, or encouraging transgender employees to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity, is a key way of signalling to transgender employees that they are valued and respected.

Employee training

Training is essential for creating a transgender-inclusive workplace, as it will provide employees with an understanding of what they can do to help their colleagues feel valued and supported. Some informative topics to include in training are:

- Definition of gender identity: Some people may be unaware of what this means so it is important to create an understanding among employees.

- Examples of discrimination based on gender identity and their negative implications.

- Consequences for violating the anti-discrimination policy and anti-bullying and harassment policy.

- Importance of correct pronoun usage.

By making the easy changes to work towards creating a transgender-inclusive workplace, ensures that all employees have safety and security, allowing them the ability to reach their full potential at work. All employees, no matter their gender identity, have the right to feel valued and have a support system that protects their rights at work.