I want a job!

[spiffyalexneal]

...but I'd probably have to interview and start work as a female for now. I don't pass at all, plus I'm pre everything. I'll probably be getting on T in a few months, which will help the passing issue, but I dunno.

Anybody know anywhere that's got a reputation for being trans friendly? Or any suggestions? I'm in Austin, TX if that helps...

[Jigsaw]

The three companies that come to mind are Borders, Target and Starbucks.  My sister works part time for Target and they make all employees watch a movie about equal treatment and they include transgender people in there.  She called me right after and said I needed to get a job there so I could move closer to home.

I heard once before that Best Buy is good towards trans folks also.

[Nygeel]

I think you should look at applications and if the application says something like "this company does not discriminate on the basis of..." and states gender (usually identity) then you should be okay to work there and not really have too many problems.

[spiffyalexneal]

I've actually considered Target and Best Buy... thanks for the input guys. 

[Hikari]

I've actually considered Target and Best Buy... thanks for the input guys. 

ha, looks like my original reply got lost....

Anyways I work for one of them, and I am very, very happy with the policies as far as discrimination goes, and the discounts are nice at either of them. I am not "out" but, as my friend would say "people know there is something off", but no one has even told me I need to put my hair up, much less cut it off

[Luc]

I've heard Target is good, but have never worked there. I did, however, work at Starbucks, and I'd say they're probably one of the best possible companies to work for, whether or not you're trans. Everyone is eligible for health insurance after 6 months, even part-timers; you take home a pound of coffee every week and get all the free drinks you want; and their policies are very inclusive. Also, I'm not sure about Austin, but at the Starbucks I worked at in Colorado, we made massive tips. I worked there in 2000 and was paid $7.35/hour, but with tips added in, I made between $11-$12 per hour.

[Devyn]

I got a job at McDonald's yesterday. Before I went in though, my mom somewhat threatened me to not tell my manager that I am a boy. However, I walked in, asked to speak to the manager, and the woman I was talking to called her name and said, "HE'S LOOKING FOR YOU." and pointed at me. Then I had to introduce myself to her with my female name. Awkward.

[spiffyalexneal]

Update: I'm looking into direct sales companies. I used to sell Avon (hahaha) and even though there are male reps out there, I still don't feel comfortable continuing. I have feelers out to a health product company and a coffee and tea company. We'll see which has the better deal. =P

[JessicaH]

Austin is the most trans friendly city in Texas.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1951568/posts
Two Central Texas-based businesses are among the best places to work for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, according to a report released Tuesday by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

Round Rock-based Dell and Austin's Freescale Semiconductor were among the 195 companies to receive a perfect score based on the foundation's Corporate Equality Index. The index "measures policies and practices implemented to promote fairness and equality in the workplace for GLBT employees," according to the foundation.

Seven other Texas-based companies made the list: AMR Corp., Fort Worth; J.C. Penney Co., Plano; Clear Channel Communications, San Antonio; Brinker International, Dallas; Waste Management, Houston; GameStop Corp., Grapevine; and AT&T Inc., San Antonio.



Also look at: www.hrc.org/placestowork

Just google "transgender friendly places to work in Austin" and you will find a lot of info.

[spiffyalexneal]

Awesome, thanks JessicaH!

[GQjoey]

I've worked for Target for over 6 months now. I don't exactly like my job, and am looking for something else, but the people are pretty chill. I've lived pretty much stealth for the past 12 years, been on T for 3 of those. When I applied, I don't know why, but I put my name change on the app. I probably didn't have to (had it changed 12 years ago), but I didn't want to take a chance of looking like I was hiding anything. The night of my first interview the guy was going over my paperwork..when he got to the name change, he blankly stared at the paper for a moment and said "Uhh, it says here you ahh, had your name changed?" I could tell he was super uncomfortable and said "Yeah, I'm transgendered" it immediately lightened the mood and he said "Oh ok! well that makes sense then!"
Same thing happened in the second interview the following day, and the lady didn't even flinch. I'd definitely recommend them as a safe and comfortable work environment.  Any sort of discrimination is grounds for firing.