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My company stabbed me in the back

Started by Keaira, May 24, 2012, 12:17:27 AM

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Keaira

That's exactly  what Valeo Sylvania did to me today!

Over a year ago I went full time there with the support of the Human Resources department. I was allowed to use the women's restrooms. One year on and I'm called back to the H.R. office. Now I have to use a unisex bathroom because "There are a few female employees who are uncomfortable with you using the womens restroom." as I was told.

Thanks for the support Valeo!
I felt so betrayed and lost. I've cried on and off about it all day.
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wheat thins are delicious

I'm so sorry that happened.  Is gender identity/expression protected in their policies at all?  That might be a way to fight it.


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kelly_aus

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Keaira

Beleive it or not, Yes it is protected. It's in their parent company's policy.
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wheat thins are delicious

Shouldn't they be forced to uphold it then?  Is there a way you can go above their heads?


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Cindy

I would immediately go up the notch to the senior company HR. I think your local HR has lost its backbone following some sort of complaint. They are finding hiding you is easier than supporting you. People generally always take the path of least resistance. Kick them in the goolies.

If it is policy it is policy. Fight it to allow the policy to be true.

Hugs Sis
Be Brave
We are here

Cindy
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Cindy

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kelly_aus

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Cindy

An intelligent person at last, who just happens to be an Aussie. Funny coincidence that.
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Jamie D

"... two countries, separated by a common language"
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justmeinoz

What a pack of mongrels.  They need a pineapple up them sideways!  >:(

Karen.
"Don't ask me, it was on fire when I lay down on it"
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Keaira

It's sad really. The HR Rep whom I discussed this with is himself gay, so I would have at least hoped for some kind of support.

I'm looking for other employment now. I want out. He even admitted that there needed to be training done. Supposedly too, this somehow has to do with my safety. I think that's crap!
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Jamie D

Quote from: Keaira on May 24, 2012, 04:43:56 AM
It's sad really. The HR Rep whom I discussed this with is himself gay, so I would have at least hoped for some kind of support.

I'm looking for other employment now. I want out. He even admitted that there needed to be training done. Supposedly too, this somehow has to do with my safety. I think that's crap!

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Document EVERYTHING
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Alainaluvsu

I'm probably going to get a bunch of disagreement on this.

Here's your situation as I see it. You have a company that is disagreeing with the way you use their facilities. While it sucks that you have co workers that are uncomfortable with you in the restroom, and it's wrong that the company is backing out on their policies, you have to remember that if you cause an incident things will go downhill fast. They may not be able to fire you for using the restroom, but they will look for every reason under the sun to fire you after that.

Besides, if your co workers are uncomfortable with you, do you really want to be around them? I know you live in a small town with not many options for employment, but you may just need to start reconsidering your options. It's even possible that they're trying to find reasons to fire you right now.
To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.



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Brooke777

Quite often equal opportunity requires there to be a compromise.  In order to not show favoritism to one party, the company needs to find a way to make things good enough for all parties involved.  I used to work Corporate Diversity for a major corporation in the U.S.  It was not entirely unheard of for these types of situations to arise.  For this type of situation, we would often make the unisex bathrooms usable by everyone.  Then, since most offices have multiple bathrooms, we would inform the complaining party that they were only to use one of the bathrooms, and the targeted party would then only use the other one.  Often, we would make the complainer use the one that was the most inconvenient because they were the one causing the trouble.  We used compromises like this dealing with all sorts of issues, to include service pets.  If your company takes a hard stance on either side of the issue they open themselves up for a lawsuit.  However, forcing you to be the only one making a sacrifice is also opening them up for trouble.  Try getting them to negotiate.  If need be, depending on your area, there might be a lawyer around who would help you out pro-bono.  Good luck, this is a tricky situation.
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Keaira

I went to HR about it again yesterday. All it got me was a stern look and told to continue using the unisex restrooms. So, I'm complying. But people have continued to call me by my old name. And I will not answer to it. It's sad to see that this company could be headed for a lawsuit and they seem unwilling to do anything to stop it.
But, I am in fact looking elsewhere too.
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Brooke777

I am sorry.  It sounds like things are going down hill.  I am the type of person that puts up a fight, but it is not for everyone.  I have lost a lot of battles, and won very few.  If you are not the type of girl to really fight this, it might be better for you to work with what they give you, and keep you employment options open.  Regrettably, smaller companies have a bit more leeway in matters like this.  Especially companies that are not publicly traded.  Since they do not have stock holders and a public reputation to maintain, they do not have the same obligations to keep up appearances.  I hope my earlier advice has not caused any damage.
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Keaira

Oh they have stockholders. Valeo Sylvania is a joint venture between the Valeo Group and Osram Sylvania. But Valeo is the mysterious 'Corporate' Office.
But I didn't say I was giving up. PFLAG, INTRAA and even the Transgender Law Center have been in contact with me. So it seems like I wont fight this alone.
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Brooke777

Awesome!! It sounds like they are up against a worthy advisory.  I may not be much help, but if there is anything I can do please let me know.  Best of luck.
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