For job seekers: Changing your name with former employers

[Hypatia]

I'm now living as a woman fulltime and suddenly unemployed and in search of a new job. When I apply and interview as a woman and they contact my former employers, I'll be screwed if they don't get my name right.  What is the best procedure for getting former employers to change your name in their records? How many years back in my work history should I take this?

[Kate]

I've wondered about that too, and although I don't have any real advice on how to do it, keep in mind that being outed doesn't necessarily mean you'd be rejected simply for being TS - although I certainly understand your desire to remain stealth.

I'd probably just call the old employers though and explain my situtation. Maybe the HR department would be a good place to start?

~Kate~

[Enigma]

I'm now living as a woman fulltime and suddenly unemployed and in search of a new job. When I apply and interview as a woman and they contact my former employers, I'll be screwed if they don't get my name right.  What is the best procedure for getting former employers to change your name in their records? How many years back in my work history should I take this?

Every employer is different, but 10 years should be safe enough to satisfy most employers.

[LostInTime]

Contact them, inform them of a change of name, and go from there. Some will just do it and others will want a copy of the court order so they can cover their assets.

Wait a few days to a week and have a friend call them saying they are a possible employer and checking your references. If they give up too much information, call back and mention the word lawyer.

[KarenLyn]

If it's convenient, drop by with a copy of the name change order. If not, contact them for a mailing address or fax number to send the information to.
I only had trouble with one employer. I was employed with a religious software company and they refused to recognize my name change. Everyone else, including the Navy were fine with it.

Karen Lyn

[melissa90299]

I'm now living as a woman fulltime and suddenly unemployed and in search of a new job. When I apply and interview as a woman and they contact my former employers, I'll be screwed if they don't get my name right.  What is the best procedure for getting former employers to change your name in their records? How many years back in my work history should I take this?

You will be "screwed" if they do a background check as well, regardless of what you do. Why would you want to work for anyone who discriminates against trans-people in the first place?

Posted on: November 30, 2007, 10:58:03 AM

Contact them, inform them of a change of name, and go from there. Some will just do it and others will want a copy of the court order so they can cover their assets.

Wait a few days to a week and have a friend call them saying they are a possible employer and checking your references. If they give up too much information, call back and mention the word lawyer.

It might be a good idea to get a lawyer to write the letter first indicating that failure to honor your request could negatively affect your ability to earn a living. Employers are well aware of their liability in matters like this.

[Berliegh]

I'm now living as a woman fulltime and suddenly unemployed and in search of a new job. When I apply and interview as a woman and they contact my former employers, I'll be screwed if they don't get my name right.  What is the best procedure for getting former employers to change your name in their records? How many years back in my work history should I take this?

I don't think there's much you can do about it. I was self employed for many years, so I don't have that problem and any employers prior to that wouldn't remember me anyway. I've put old company details down on my CV before and usally new employers don't check for references anyway... I never make any references to my old ID anywhere...

[Wing Walker]

Hello, Hypatia,

I am rather familiar with your question as I was once a contract admin for government personal services contractors.

First, do mention any prior names or aliases.  If you don't disclose all that is asked you can be canned after you start a job.  I saw that happen to a kid who did not mention an arrest when asked.  When the checks were done he was let-go.

Call me crazy, but that should solve the problem of notifications.

Wing Walker
Looking for Her Compass on This One

[Hypatia]

If you don't disclose all that is asked you can be canned after you start a job.

Oh, certainly. I wasn't thinking of lying about it if asked. Matter of fact, I filled out an application where they asked if I'd had any other last names. Since I still have the same last name, I answered no. They didn't ask about first names.

However... This one job I applied for requires me to be clearable, and I had to sign my life away to authorize a very thorough background check. Court records, credit records, asking your neighbors about you, the works. So there's no question they'll find out soon enough anyway. I just didn't feel like volunteering it if they don't ask.

I submitted the application online, and within an hour someone called me and I did a preliminary phone interview. The next day, the second interviewer called me and said "I'm not sure about your information. Am I speaking to [old name] or [new name]?" I said I'm [new name]. She asked "Are you male or female?" I said female and she was fine with that, because I passed that interview. When they check on my Social Security record, it will say "female." But there are more steps in the hiring process, and at any point they can choose not to hire me because I'm trans... and there's no law against this discrimination in my state. So I know it's a gamble, but what can I do?

Posted on: December 02, 2007, 08:48:59 PM

You will be "screwed" if they do a background check as well, regardless of what you do. Why would you want to work for anyone who discriminates against trans-people in the first place?

I'm giving them a chance to not discriminate. I won't know if they're going to discriminate until they actually do. Life is made of chances...

[LostInTime]

Glad that you went for it.

Good luck with the process, please let us know how it works out for you.

Hugs,
LIT

[natalie]

i wander how transitioning with a DOD clearance will work.
like Wing Walker said, on the gov background checks, you need to list it ALL.
maybe i need to find a new job when that day comes? the place i work for is conservative anyhow.

[LostInTime]

Depends on the clearance and the personal politics of the person who is in charge of the hiring. A family member recently went through the process, as a civilian, for Top Secret clearance and it was a 10 year background check. it also took months to do.