Trans Job Seeker Guide: Overcoming Obstacles in the Job Market

How To Spot A Trans Friendly Workplace

Each year, more and more companies jump on board to make the workplace more inclusive, but that doesn’t mean every potential position will be trans-friendly.

Here are a few things to remember when looking for a trans-friendly workplace:

• How big is the company?

Remember, fifteen or fewer employees means trans workers aren’t legally protected. If you’re not sure how many employees work at a company, visit the website or simply call and ask.

• Do your research

If a job catches your eye, take a look at its reviews and staff.

You can find company information on their websites and social media pages — but don’t stop there! Look at what people are saying about the company and how it treats its employees.

Find this information in the comments on social media posts, responses to company blog posts or company review websites.

• Dig deep

Most company websites and social media pages include information regarding community outreach. Take a few minutes to thoroughly research how a company interacts with the community.

Does the company support specific events or participate in any awareness campaigns? What are they and do they align with your values?

• Pay attention to health benefits

What benefits a company offers its employees is a clear indication of how well (or how poorly) you can expect to be treated.

When you look into a potential future employer’s health benefits, ask yourself if they are inclusive enough for your needs.

It isn’t always easy to uncover this information, especially when you haven’t even applied yet, so how can you find out?

Start by reading company reviews. If that doesn’t yield any information, try contacting the company’s HR department. Let them know you’d like some information regarding health benefits, specifically what options a trans worker can choose from.

• Take a trip

Still not sure if a company is trans friendly? If possible, visit the office and try these tips.

• Walk around

Pay attention to your surroundings. Look for clues regarding company viewpoints. Is there a gender-neutral or all-inclusive bathroom available?

• Make small talk

Talk to the receptionist. Do they like working for the company? Is there anything potential employees should know before applying?

If you happen to catch an employee who is willing to spare some time, ask them how they feel about company culture. Do they feel seen and heard by upper management? Are they happy with workplace policies?

• Hang out

Take a seat in the reception room or at a nondescript table and take in your surroundings. Really look at the people who come and go.

Is there a diverse group of employees? How are they dressed? Does there seem to be a strict gendered dress code?

Interview Tips

• Ask questions

The number one thing to remember is interviews go both ways.

Prepare necessary questions regarding the position, of course, but don’t forget to ask about company culture and policies. Here are a few questions to start with:

• Has the company taken any steps to create a safe place for its employees?
• Does it offer diversity training?
• What is the dress code and is it gendered?
• Will it be an issue if you dress according to your identity?

These questions may not sound like they need to be asked during the initial interview but it’s better to understand company views prior to entering a potentially hostile work environment.

• Be prepared

You’ve already researched the company’s views, but now it’s time to learn a bit about the hiring manager.

Learn or simply ask their name before the interview. Ask if others will be involved as well and get their job titles.

Prepare role-specific questions to show your interest in the company and the job you’re applying for. Make sure none of your questions can be easily answered by scrolling through the company website or social media pages.

• Practice

All interviews can induce anxiety. It’s difficult to remain calm when it comes to a career opportunity.

How can you soothe those pesky interview nerves? Practice with a friend. Memorizing good questions about the role and company culture will help prepare you for the actual interview.

If you want to come out while speaking with the interviewer, role play a few ways to do so without distracting from your qualifications and interest in the position.

Workplace Discrimination

Discrimination comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Coworkers who make off-color jokes or who "lightheartedly tease" someone for their sexuality, race, identity, nationality, etc. are behaving inappropriately.

More examples of gender identity discrimination include:

• Not being allowed to use the restroom associated with your gender identity.
• Being denied equal treatment in the workplace.
• Getting fired or demoted when your employer discovers plans for sex reassignment surgery.
• Getting disciplined for wearing clothes according to your gender identity or an exclusive dress code that makes no effort to accommodate trans workers.
• of promotions and/or opportunities in the workplace due to gender identity.
• Exclusion from company-related events due to gender identity.
• Harassment by superiors or other employees in the workplace.

Note that harassment can be anything from inappropriate comments and jokes to outright threats.
But what can you do if you are the victim of workplace discrimination?

Personal Resources

After going through the proper channels, you may need help to get through the emotional damage. Here are a few helpful resources:

• Turn to loved ones

Friends and family can support you through this difficult time. Share your situation with the people who love you.

Loved ones are always willing to provide support, whether it be in the form of kind words, advice or a shoulder to cry on.

• Get involved

Relying on your support network can make all the difference, but it won’t stop workplace discrimination.

If you want to make a difference, get involved with local organizations created to help people respond to discrimination.

By connecting with a group of like-minded individuals, you can learn how to grow and fight back. Join the cause and hold companies accountable for discrimination in the workplace.

• Seek help

If your situation is extreme or you are unable to push past doubt, anger and other negative thoughts or feelings, consult a professional.

Speak to a therapist to work through and manage stress, depression, guilt and other emotions impacting your mental health.

Here are a few helpful resources to try:

• Trans Lifeline

– Self-help and peer-to-peer support

• The Trevor Project

– Social networking for LGBT+ people under 25

• The Tribe

– Peer-to-peer support

• Equality Federation

– State-based equality advocation

• PFLAG

– Find a local chapter for support

• LGBT National Hotline

– Anonymously speak to someone who cares

• National Center for Transgender Equality

– Learn your rights and stop discrimination

• Trans Employment Program

– Career coaching, referrals, legal service, workshops and more

Steps To Making A More Trans Friendly Work Environment

As an employer, you may ask yourself how to create a better work environment for your trans employees. Hiring qualified trans people is a great first step, but what else can you do?

• Address Employees By Their Preferred Names And Pronouns

Allow employees to include these pronouns in everything from office-wide memos to everyday conversations. This allows them to feel included and seen.

• Provide gender-inclusive bathrooms

This can be as simple as removing the gendered plaques from restrooms or just replacing them with gender-neutral signs.

Bonus points for providing feminine hygiene products and odor neutralizing sprays, candles or oils.

• Reconsider the dress code

Gone are the days of women wearing skirts and men wearing suits. Offer general guidelines all genders can follow, such as a no hat policy, only natural hair colors and a tidy appearance.

If necessary, provide a more detailed list that generalizes what material pants and tops must be made from but do not state women must wear X and men must wear Y.

• Revise the Equal Employment Opportunity paperwork

Make sure your EEO paperwork specifically includes "gender identity" or "gender expression" as protected classes.

• Be prepared

Talk to HR and make sure there are gender transition guidelines that address what a transitioning employee can expect from management.

This should include general procedures for implementing transition-related workplace changes, like adjusting personnel records.

You may also want to assign someone to be responsible for helping the transitioning employee with managing their workplace transition.

• Update medical benefits

Remember, trans people are still people. They require everything cisgenders do. This means trans employees should have just as much access to prenatal care as they do prostate exams.

Update the benefits you offer employees so everyone is included and has access to the healthcare they need.

• Participate

There are always LGBT+ community events the company can engage in.

Participation can be in the form of sponsoring employee programs, providing pro bono services to the LGBT+ community, donating to LGBT+ non-profits or using LGBT+ vendors and partners.

• Update and create strong policies

Support your LGBT+ employees by updating policies to include and protect them. Make sure these policies are clearly communicated to the entire team and ensure all policies are visibly enforced.

Workplace Resources For Employers

Employers interested in making the workplace more inclusive have several resources to choose from. Here are a few to consider:

• SHRM

– The Society for Human Resource Management. Learn about HR policies, maintaining HR integrity and updating existing practices.

• Transgender Law Center

– Take a look at the Model Employer Policy, which clarifies laws and helps companies include transgender, gender non-conforming and transitioning employees.

• Human Rights Campaign Foundation

– Download the "Trans Inclusion in the Workplace: A Toolkit for Employers" PDF. This toolkit helps employers build a more inclusive workplace.

• Harvard Business Review

– Learn how to stop trans stigma, discrimination and hostility in the workplace.

• Trans Employment Program

– Move beyond bias, how to model policies and more.

• Inspire Human Resources

– How to proactively plan for trans inclusion.

• Trans Can Work

– Evaluating, training, consulting, eLearning and more.

As with all change, it will take time, research and a lot of work to implement. But if you and your company invest in creating a more inclusive workplace, your employees will feel seen and the office will become a safer, healthier environment.