Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi,

I want to explore the possibility of transition in my current company. I want to first contact the head of our HR department which is in San Jose, CA . But I just don't want to tell her immediately that I am a transgender, instead just like to see if there are policies and procedures are in place to support my transition,  so any good advices on how I should ask my HR director indirectly, and what policy and procedure I should ask to share with me without clearly show my gender issue?

Thanks.

Maybe ask to see their discrimination policy?  It's kind of hard to ask a question without being able to ask the question...  Maybe you can contact her anonymously, or send an email from a gmail acct to the head of HR asking your questions?

If you don't mind white lies, you could say you are TG and thinking about applying for a position and you want to know if they have any policies in place for... whatever.

thanks. I just wonder if I just complicate the things by myself, maybe directly asking may not be that bad. Since I start my transition, I become much very causious on every thing.

I'd ask the HR person, upfront and straight-up.  Being a California company, and a Silicone Valley one at that, I can all but assure you that they have a policy in place as the lawyers would have seen to it.

Do you know if they have a gender identity clause in their discrimination policy?  If not, there is a risk in outing yourself.  If so, yeah I would just be direct with them, personally.

Edit:
Lol Tekla beat me to the point... but yeah

I went to our HR P&P database, and found " Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Policy", which mentions prevent discrimination due to sex but not "gender identity". but indicate the company will follow the latest law of EEO. so will that indicate a good start to me?

What town are they located in?  And the State of California forbids discrimination on gender ID basis.  So go in and talk to them.

Unfortunately, I just moved out from California to our Dallas (TX) office, but our US Headquarter is in San Jose, CA. Does this make some difference?

Huge.

San Jose has transgender protections in the municipal law, which means, if you sue them there, you'll win.