Article 26:

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Article 26 Equalitys Latest Frontier Diane
Cadrain Presented by Nancy
Hairfield May
11, 2005
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What do you do?
It can be one of the most unexpected, sensitive
and puzzling issues an employer ever confronts. .
. An employee wants to change his or her gender
in your workplace.
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Case Summary

• More companies are knocking down barriers to
  employees with nontraditional gender identities.
• Nondiscrimination Policies
• HRs Crucial Connection
• Communicating to Employees

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Gender Identity Defined

• One's self-identification as a man or a woman, as
  opposed to one's anatomical sex at birth.
• Usually, one's gender identity matches one's
  anatomical sex. However, for some people, gender
  identity does not always align with one's
  anatomical sex.

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Statistics

• The exact number of transsexuals in any given
  population will probably never be accurately
  known (the best current estimate is one per
  30,000).

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Class Discussion

•  An employee or manager sitting in your office
  informs you that they are transgender and want to
  transition at work. They want to keep the same
  job and will continue to work hard and be
  effective with clients and customers, but must
  work in the persona that they believe to be true.
  They ask that you help them in the process. What
  do you do? Where do you start?

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Class Discussion

• What policies does your employer have in place?
• Are there any laws which make it illegal to
  discriminate on the basis of gender identity?

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Legal Update

• January 1, 2004 California added gender identity
  to its nondiscrimination policy in regards to
  employment and housing. (Gov. Code 12940.)
• Gender refers to Identity, appearance, or
  behavior whether or not that identity, appearance
  or behavior is different from that traditionally
  associated with the persons sex at birth.

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Recommendations

• Add "gender identity and expression" to the list
  of prohibited bases of discrimination in your
  company's Equal Opportunity/Non-Discrimination
  policy and statements.
• Adopt a no-tolerance policy toward harassment of
  employees who are transgender

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Recommendations

• Assert that transgender employees are valued
  employees and treat them with respect.
• Include transgender awareness education in
  diversity training for managers and staff.

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Issues Addressed

• Restroom use and communicating the decision to
  other employees
• Change the employee's name and sex in all
  personnel and administrative records.
• Same standard of healthcare and other benefits as
  all other employees.
• Dress code policy

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Questions
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