So my job found out about me.

[kariann330]

I have no clue how they found out but they did. Overnight crew doesn't work Friday night so I spent the day sleeping in, but day crew and the office do work, they only work 8 hours instead of the usual 10 though. Well when I woke up I had an email notification on my phone and when I looked it was my work email address and the email was from HR.

Once I got some coffee and could see straight again after about 13 hours of sleep (I really needed it lol) I read the email. It read that "the company has been made aware of my gender identity issues and pending gender change." They went on to say that they need me to come to the main building (I work in one of 3 satellite buildings) half an hour early to talk to them.

Honestly I don't know how they found out. I haven't told anyone and my FB is about as private as can be with memes as my picture instead of a picture of myself. I really hope I don't lose this job.....mentally and financially I can't handle it again, plus I really love this job.

[katrinaw]

Hi kariann

hugs.... try not to overthink this, but I can understand how worrying it might be.
However it may be nothing to worry about, they may just be wanting to understand what your plans are.

Best wishes for you though 

L Katy 

[Sarah leah]

I am confused why would you lose your job for your gender? That is against the law and a violation of your human rights.

[LordKAT]

I am confused why would you lose your job for your gender? That is against the law and a violation of your human rights.

Not true in all places.  Any employer can find an excuse to to get rid of you if they choose and if you are an at will employee, they don't even need to give a reason.

[Ms Grace]

If they're going to send ominous emails like that the least they could do is offer a bit more detail. Hopefully it is nothing untoward and you will be fine.

[LordKAT]

It seems like a stressful email but it may be so they can counter act any discrimination against you. Only way to know will be to go in.

[Tiffanie]

2 quick thoughts

1 - look up your states anti-discrimination and labor laws ... and maybe federal as well. 

2 - It is possible that they are wanting to ask you what you want to be called or how you want to be addressed and let you know that they (HR) are an asset for you in case there is discrimination by other workers.

3 - Print the email and ask them what their intentions were for sending it.  It is unlikely, but maybe somebody sent an email as a joke and the HR department is not aware of it.

OK ... I can't count to 2 very well.  The best thing to do is be honest.  If you say you are not transgender and later come out you can get in trouble for lying.  Also understand that thye can only ask certain questions due to HIPAA laws.

[kariann330]

I am confused why would you lose your job for your gender? That is against the law and a violation of your human rights.

Ohio is an "Employment at will" state. Also while they really are firing me because of my gender, or my being transgender, they can say that it is actually because of performance at work, attendance (which would be bs since I currently have perfect attendance) or even that business has slowed and since I'm one of the newer people at work they are cutting me.....kinda like a layoff except they never bring you back and you lose your benefits package. It may be wrong but they can backdoor anyone out of a company and its all legal.

[FriendsCallMeChris]

I can understand your worry.  I'd worry, too. But, FWIW, if I were going to fire you for gender identity discrimination, I wouldn't put it in writing, especially in an email to you.  This actually sounds like they want to be an ally.  Hoping for the best for you.

PS, make sure you save a hard copy of that email in case you need it for later.
 

[suzifrommd]

Ohio is an "Employment at will" state. Also while they really are firing me because of my gender, or my being transgender, they can say that it is actually because of performance at work, attendance (which would be bs since I currently have perfect attendance) or even that business has slowed and since I'm one of the newer people at work they are cutting me.....kinda like a layoff except they never bring you back and you lose your benefits package. It may be wrong but they can backdoor anyone out of a company and its all legal.

Keep in mind:
* Even in "at will" states, they can't fire you for your race, or religion, for example.
* Yes, they can claim they fired you for some other reason. But you have an email that is evidence of their knowledge of your transition. That should scare them.
* The EEOC ruled that discrimination based on gender transition *is* sex discrimination, meaning they would prosecute a sex discrimination charge for you in federal court if it came to that.

If it seems like things are going badly, mentioning "EEOC" to them casually might not be a bad tactic.

[iKate]

It would seem rather odd that they would word the email that way if they were going to fire you. They would look like they are looking for a lawsuit.

[Jane's Sweet Refrain]

* The EEOC ruled that discrimination based on gender transition *is* sex discrimination, meaning they would prosecute a sex discrimination charge for you in federal court if it came to that.

If it seems like things are going badly, mentioning "EEOC" to them casually might not be a bad tactic.

This is great advice. And I might add you should even have a copy of the policy from the EEOC. Here is a link to their webpage.

http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/wysk/enforcement_protections_lgbt_workers.cfm

That page also includes important information about bathrooms should they be so presumptuous as to try to dictate a discriminatory policy.

Human resources should already KNOW all the EEOC policy, but I found that I had to educate our office here (also in Ohio)

I hope this information doesn't sound alarming. It just should seem useful to have with you should you feel blind-sided.

Best wishes.

[Beth Andrea]

Not true in all places.  Any employer can find an excuse to to get rid of you if they choose and if you are an at will employee, they don't even need to give a reason.

In the US, an email like this one (please do NOT delete the email from HR) is positive evidence of discrimination.

Imagine if HR had sent, "we are aware of the fact that you are black, and would like you to come in half hour early...."

Nail in the coffin if something improper happens!

[Beth Andrea]

It would seem rather odd that they would word the email that way if they were going to fire you. They look like they are looking for a lawsuit.

I don't think she's going to be fired...like was said earlier they just want to know her intentions as they apply to the company.

And probably affirm that they support her.

"At will" states suck. Go UNION!

[iKate]

Not true in all places.  Any employer can find an excuse to to get rid of you if they choose and if you are an at will employee, they don't even need to give a reason.

While that is true; the employee can file suit and if evidence is found that discrimination is on the basis of being a member of a protected class it is illegal discrimination and the employer can face penalties.

Also, it may surprise some but even highly progressive states like New York are at-will.

[JoanneB]

If they're going to send ominous emails like that the least they could do is offer a bit more detail. Hopefully it is nothing untoward and you will be fine.

"Ominous" to say the least. Almost prankish except for the major implications it can have for the prankster. It sure could have been worded a lot more delicately.

As to how they could have found out? Some coworker, rumor mill, friend of a friend of a friend, word on the street. The Caitlyn Jenner headlines all week. Then it grows like a fire. Gets to someone in HR who is perhaps transphobic or from a transphobe bathroom nut. And HR then freaks out, reacting without thinking.

I think in the USA there are only 13 states that have any sort of transgender rights. (Not to be confused with any sort of gay rights bills. Keep in mind the bathroom nuts are totally insane about us and are a vocal group) At the local level YMMV. And as LordKat said which I can back up after being in upper management, If "The Company" wants to get rid of you, they will. Only the Dilbertian Pointy Haired Boss will put it in writting it's because you're trans. Which, BTW, they did with that email so save it. I recently worked for a place with a 1800 or so head head count. THey had a "Layoff" because "things were slow". Three production workers and a tech (good one) that they recently became aware of that had epilepsy.

[Jake25]

The best case scenario, maybe the boss wants to know where you got your surgery done because they're trans too. May I ask what your job is?

[Mariah]

Big hugs. I can only hope that it turns out to be a positive experience and not a negative one. Regardless keep the email because anything like that is evidence you may need later. Please keep us posted. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah

[JoanneB]

The Most Likely way they found out.....

We are all serialized and tracked from birth. There is No Such Thing As Deep Stealth. HR likely got your name, SS, gender bounced by either SS or from the health insurance carrier. A mismatch came up somewhere in the chain. Or even perhaps a pre-employment background check came back with a name change you "inadvertently" forgot to put on your application for employment. Which likely also said in the fine print that if you lied and we find out you can be terminated.

[Sarah leah]

That sucks I know in my State in Australia if they tried it they would be dead in the water and dragged before the courts. I just do not understand this kind of cruelty on the part of a select few companies.