Past Employers and Pre-transition

[Icephoenyx]

Hello ladies and gents,

I live in Alberta, Canada, and I heard that once I change my name, gender, etc. that I have to report these changes to all my past employers for the purpose of reference/background checking in future jobs. Is this true?

If so, how am I supposed to do that? For example, my first job was at McDonald's, and I was only there for two weeks, and I doubt that simply calling the location I worked at will be sufficient in making those changes. They will probably tell me to call HR, corporate office, etc etc, and I don't know how comfortable I am just calling people and telling them to make those kinds of changes to my record, which my be a few years old. What can I do?

Chrissi

[Ms.Behavin]

Hum.... well I'm not sure about Canada, but I have never told a past employer.  Though I have told people I use for references.  Oh, but then again my first and last name are still more or less the same.  So I guess I'm cheated a bit.  I would say only contact a few past employers, etc.  For me is was more important that I let some past clients know so they could get the gender right.   

[sneakersjay]

I'm not in Canada either but I wouldn't unless I had to for references.  My past job I was self employed for 15 years, and I'm out at my current job. 

Jay

[HelenW]

I made copies of my name change court order and mailed them to a pair of former employers with a letter stating that any reference to my old name if someone called to verify employment would result in a law suit because the court order makes it very plain that I will be "known by the name, ****** *******, which he/she is authorized to assume, and by no other name."

To be honest, I didn't check to see if they were following my request, but I did get another job afterward so I figure, at least, it didn't do any harm.

hugs & smiles
Emelye

[rhondabythebay]

Hi Icephoenyx,

I sent the HR dept at my ex-employer a request to change my records to reflect the name change. I also changed my name with my university so I could prove I have my BA. Another spot to change them is with credit reporting agencies, as credit checks are now often part of the hiring process. So far I have gotten a number of job interviews and an offer, so I don't believe it should be a long term problem.

Hugs,

Rhonda

[Icephoenyx]

Rhonda,

So you did this request with your past employer with your name, but what about gender (if it has been legally changed)? Is it safe to assume that I should only bother changing names for employers I want to use for a reference and if my previous jobs were related to the job I am applying for?

And if I don't work there anymore, how can I get a confirmation that the request went through?

Chrissi

[rhondabythebay]

I told them name and gender, and this was a month or two before the name change was legal. I did not bother with employers over ten years old, as that was the length of time most applications asked about. Also I had to notify the people I wanted to use as personal or professional references, some of which were from a previous job and did not know of my transition. Let me tell you how news can travel, many people from my old company have spread to at least 5 other companies around here, so you can get outed that way. 

Hugs,

Rhonda