@ErinS, I absolutely agree with you on that. At the time it seemed like a PR nightmare to make it public. I imagine Walmart will never talk about it, and people will progressively figure out that no one is enforcing any anti-trans policies, and just assume that the policy is how it in fact is.
I've given a copy of our policy to my therapist for her to see and share with others transgender individuals who see her, so if they are having a hard time finding work they can try Walmart with the confidence that at least the policy exists to protect them.
Although to be fair, IF you are able to pass as either gender currently and are looking for work, I honestly suggest presenting as your birth gender(male in my case) for the interview and initial hiring process, and during orientation ask your workplace's stance on Gender Equality in the workplace. Your PR lady or man should be able to help you get the information you need. Regardless of policies, I'd say go ahead and present as your expressed gender after orientation as much as you'd like. This is more-so for the early stages, and if you want to show up to orientation as your true self then that's fine too, it just could shock the person who hired you, or the person organizing the orientation when you speak to them.
This is more or less advice for less trans-friendly states, as it will help prevent trans-discrimination during the initial hiring process. Then at least if they 'fire' you immediately after that, you know the specific reason.
When I went to work at my specific Walmart, I came in to the interview, and was interviewed by an older Asian lady. I presented as male and spoke in a male voice, I still had longer hair but wore it back in a ponytail. When I was called in for a 'second interview' I came as male and that was when I was hired. I came back in one last time as male for orientation and when name badges were being made that was when I told my PR lady that I did not go by my birth name. She asked what name I went by, when I told her 'Katie', she said she wasn't sure if I could use that name since it was so different than my birth name. That was when I simply asked 'Does Walmart not have any Gender Equality Policies?' and I asked in a very polite way. She simply told me that she did not know, but would find out and let me know after we had our lunch break.
It wasn't until I got back that she explained that one manager she spoke to said 'No' to the name, but she researched it and found Walmart's VERY open policy for Gender Identity. I can go into more details but basically she went over it with me, and it is against Walmart's policy for anyone to call me by male pronouns, treat me in a specifically male way, call me by my birth name(Managers may do this accidentally as on the schedule/paperwork your legal name is shown, so it may take them some time), and it also says you follow the dress code of your presenting gender(female in my case, YAY SKIRTS/CAPRIS!) and use the restroom facilities of your identified gender.
This doesn't have anything in it about even being on HRT or 'passing'. As long as you truly present and feel as your true gender, they will work with you. It doesn't specifically outline saying anything about non-binary, however I'd say it's reasonable to speak with your managers if you are non-binary, and respectfully explain your situation in a calm and kind manner. Remember, this is all new to MANY many people. Tolerance from us, will grant us tolerance to them.
To many of my co-workers(who ALL know I'm trans since I'm open about it), I am the first transgender person they've met. And so far, all but two love me. I get nice comments from them semi-frequently and they all respect my name and gender. =)
