When you are applying or interviewing for a job, whether on T or not, and it asks for your gender what do you do? Especially if you're not on T. Is it illegal to not put your biological sex? I live in a very conservative town and most likely if I tell them I'm trans they just won't hire me. What is your experience with jobs and how did you handle them? Thanks
I have 'accidentally' missed that question. If they can't tell, they don't need to know.
Depends on the job. If it requires a background check, if your medical notes have you as F (normally pre-hysto but varies by location) you're F, but I would go with Lordkat's suggestion and just miss out that one until further down the line though.
When I was applying for jobs in summer I just applied in old name even though I was out as Jack outside work and had short hair, wore a binder and dressed like a dude. Lol. No idea what people thought but the way I saw it I was better to get the job, sign a contract and then come out. If they figured me to be a butch lesbian in the process, meh!
If you pass and you already have a male name, you can give it a go. Sometimes you can get around it by being M for everything and if it comes to it and they have to do background checks or really just to keep you safe, you talk to HR and tell them your real or old name (if you haven't had a name change, or it's not been that long) and that you're actually F for records. If it's a decent place, it should end right there, and you can requests as such so that the HR person knows for hiring purposes but your bosses or people you work with would stay in the dark. People you work with don't need to know anything that doesn't affect your work and it should be treated the same as anyone with a disability that doesn't affect their work. HR would only need to know in order to process your records and get you set up for the job.
In all honestly though, I wouldn't even justify it with an answer today despite a male name, male voice, ID and so on. Once you're hired you often have to fill in more forms then but pre-hiring, why do they need to know if you're male or female on an application? The feminist side of me comes out at this point and if I see that I don't tick either box, nor any of the Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr, etc boxes and put J as my first name. In the interview that's when they'll know but pre-interview, nah! Let them want to interview me for my talent, not based on gender.
Back in the day, very very far back in a galaxy far far away, I was asked re: my mental health hx. (I had a very long mental health hx, which I didn't want someone to use against me.) I always "accidentally" skipped the question (now it would be illegal in the extreme, and some said it was illegal then). I was never asked about it. I'd would probably skip the gender "accidentally" (but be prepared to figure out what you'd say, though I never did have an answer).
--Jay
What I'd do is if it's on an EOE form (which by the way for most U.S. jobs is the only way they are supposed to ask you at the initial stage) is to choose not to answer any of those questions (which it should say you have the option to). Unlike declining to answer just the gender question not answering any of the EOE questions won't raise any eyebrows about your gender. If you run onto a gray-area application that asks for your gender in another context (other than for a courtesy title, which has no legal weight) I'd do what many application/interview guides suggest about taboo questions that aren't relevant to the job - with this type of question simply ignore it.
Remember this is for "typical" jobs - it's different if you're applying as for example a locker room attendant where they CAN ask you about your genital status, or for a high-security job where the government allows questions to be ask that aren't usually allowed.
Presently I'm being blackballed by UPS. I had three peak seasons with no complaints (actually, I've had drivers go in early to report to their supervisors on my work ethic), showing up half an hour early and the whole nine (seen my name #1 on the list each time) and they mysteriously haven't wanted to hire me back after 2010 and for absolutely no justifiable reason. I literally have an exemplary rehire rating with them and yet they won't hire me. This really surprised me because they had no problem with me before. I even had my hair cropped to 1", went to my first interview in all male's clothes (I've not worn anything feminine in years and years), never pretended to be anything other than what I am. And only now, all of a sudden, it's a problem. Unfortunately, this BS just comes with the territory. I'm sorry to say, it just does. You will be discriminated against.
Even though its illegal and it's wrong, they'll still do it and they'll get away with it.
Eventually you just have to hope to be able to change your name and after a while on T, you can pass well enough to not get so much of this crap being pulled on you. Not much else for it.
I'm pretty close to a break over this. I'm 24 and can't find a job. Don't know what to do.