Jobs, pre T, pre Opp

[DamagedChris]

Old navy might not be like this, but I do know that a lot of mid to high cost clothing stores use their front of store clerks as sort of "living mannequins"...you are supposed to wear their clothing and look polished, and will actually--unofficially of course--hire attractive people over average or poor-looking people. So a place like that would probably have issues hiring someone who would be seen "gender bending" by the patrons.

Stores that I know practice this (or at least the ones I've had friends work at) are Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle, GAP, etc etc.
Post Merge: November 07, 2009, 04:30:56 PM

Not all areas and not all companies are as liberal as you might like, but times have indeed changed. And it's good that you're FTM and not the other way around.

Amen to that...I don't envy our poor sisters. We as FTMs get a lot less flak I'm sure.

[Jamie-o]

Old navy might not be like this, but I do know that a lot of mid to high cost clothing stores use their front of store clerks as sort of "living mannequins"...you are supposed to wear their clothing and look polished, and will actually--unofficially of course--hire attractive people over average or poor-looking people. So a place like that would probably have issues hiring someone who would be seen "gender bending" by the patrons.

Stores that I know practice this (or at least the ones I've had friends work at) are Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle, GAP, etc etc.

There was some flak a few years ago when it came to light that one of those stores (I think it was Benetton, but I'm not sure) was going so far as to have guidelines regarding people's race.  I.E., they wanted 2 white kids - one blonde, one brunette - one asian, one african-american, one hispanic, etc.  They wanted certain proportions of each "look" to model/sell their clothes.  And frequently those stores require that you wear their clothes at your own expense, and only those that are currently on the rack.  If they stop selling something, you can't wear it anymore. Or so I've heard.

[Nick Aiden]

When I was looking for a job when I moved last year I found a list online of Trans Friendly Corporations that have already written Gender Identity into their "protected groups" I can't find the list, but if I do I'll post it. I remember Wendy's being surprisingly well regarded but I was scared that it might vary too much store to store.

I opted to go with Darden Restaurants, they own Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse, and a few smaller chains I don't remember. They weren't on the list, but they offered me a job, so I took it haha. There was one manager in particular, whom was so supportive she stood up for me on many occasions. They now have a policy in regards to trans employees because my manager went barking to the HR department about me.... I'm not sure THAT was necessary. But either way, I get my name tag how I want it, get male pronouns, and since I work at olive garden where everyone wears a white dress shirt and tie, get to wear male clothes everyday. In fact the dress code made it so easy to fit in with the crowd.

Most importantly I would apply to jobs where the environment "felt good". You'll know if people are all weird to you, at least I pick up on that in a second. Good luck. Now I'll go look for the list. 



Edit:

http://www.hrc.org/issues/workplace/search.asp?form=private_quick_search.aspx

If you go to this link, and go to right below "Employers with non-discrimination policies that include gender identity" and select the "Fortune 1000" from the drop down menu and hit "go"

It will show you a list of companies that include non-discrimination policies that include G.I. Now most of them are the parent companies name, which will take some digging to unearth the retail locations they own. But hey its better than nothing

[LordKAT]

I see a dress code as being fine. It often is just the way the company wants or needs to be perceived by others. Your dress reflects the company. Uniforms that are unisex are the places I choose to work. I have turned down job offers that have dresses as uniforms for women and white shirt and tie for men.  I don't think forcing people to wear clothing that separates them or makes them uncomfortable should be.


edit: I need an 'L' key.

[Alex_C]

You can make your job.

I played musical saw (not that great yet) and got $1.12 for an hour UGH but then sold ribbons for 2 hours and got $40. I typically get $20 an hour selling my ribbons but counting the time  making them it comes out to $10/hr.

On this I live, go to EMT school, pay for my T etc.

It's possible no one said it's easy.

Mowing lawns, washing dogs, cleaning houses, washing cars etc can pay as well yeah we're all living these teenager-lives now so don't look down at teenager type work. 

[Jamie-o]

Thanks for the link NickAiden.  I was looking for that one too, but I couldn't find it.  I hate it when I forget to bookmark a good resource!

[myles]

In this economy you need to take what ever you can get as far a s a job goes. I think it's now harder to set standards on what you want and what you are willing to wear and so on. When the economy was better you had a chance to pick the job you wanted now you have to be willing to take anything. I would just go to the interview in clothing you are comfortable in as long as it is decent/semi professional looking.
Good Luck,
Myles
Agree with Alex right now thinking outside the traditional box is a good idea.

[Cairus]

Wow, it's a sad day we have to wonder whether or not showing up dressed in anything other than a skirt or dress will get us a job or not. Man, both chicks and dudes have been wearing collared shirts and pants for years now- when you go into an interview, all the interviewer should be looking for in your clothing is that you're dressed sharp/professionally, cleanly. As long as you don't look like a slob, you really should NOT need to wear a dress.

Really, just wear a collared shirt and some work pants with clean/polished shoes, it shouldn't be an issue. As for the gender part, if you hear them refer to you as 'her', and being a man in the work place right now is a priority to you, my advice would just be to politely correct the interviewer and let them know you're a guy, just like any other guy would probably do if you called him by the wrong pronoun, and let that be that. If they try to badger you for some reason using your legal name or ID, calmly tell them that you're a transmale- that is if it even gets to that point(that's digging kind of deep for an interview. Their primary objective SHOULD be to validate whether or not you can do the work, not go on a treasurehunt to find out what's in your underwear.)

I'm assuming that in many cases they would not need/want to know the details. If they drop you on account of being trans when you do inform them, look somewhere else. As for places to work, as a poster above mentioned, call center would be a good one, and any place LGBT friendly. A coffee place, a book store, a deli- wherever it is the gay people go, not to incite any flaming, is probably where being openly trans would be more likely to be embraced.