Hello Everyone,
This topic brings up an interesting question regarding my own situation.
I am currently changing small things to edge into my own transition, but at some time as the small things add up or once I make some larger change, I am going to get noticed in my workplace.
I work in a very corporate environment and, as much as I would like to stay with my company, I fear there is going to be a great deal of misunderstanding of what I am going through. I had originally planned on leaving at some point when my transition became to much but it is a really awesome job that I would like to keep.
However, I have no clue how to deal with it from a perspective of wanting to keep my job. I don't know how to keep it.
Can some of you please point me in the right direction and/or provide me with some insight as to how I can keep my job?
Thank you,
Genevieve =)
That is a tough one, I think at the end of the day you will end up leaving the job you have. That is unless you know some legal loop hole or know some one that has some influence on upper management. This is not fair but it is probably reality.
Genevieve,
There is a great document on the Wiki...https://www.susans.org/wiki/A_Guide_to_Coming_Out_at_the_Workplace (https://www.susans.org/wiki/A_Guide_to_Coming_Out_at_the_Workplace)
It gives a great starting place and tons of info. Hopefully it will give you some ideas. If you really like your job, it may help you hang on to it.
...Laurie
Laurie,
Thank you so much for the link. That's an awesome and very helpful document and realy gives me some ideas about how to handle transitioning and possibly keeping my job.
It looks once more like a well thought out plan and good communication may save the day.
I know it's a guide and I know there may be hitches and complications. I even know Beri may be right, and that in the end it may not be possible to keep my job. But, I know more and am more prepared now and know I need to start looking at a plan.
Please, anyone else that may have advice for me on this topic, I would love to hear from you. :angel:
Thank you,
Genevieve
Many people transition on the job successfully...that's not to say there won't be unique challenges that may seem difficult but it can be done. Obviously it depends a lot on the company you work for and the policies they choose to enfore but since you love your job I would encourage you to give it a try if you can.
The best advice I can give you is to talk to your Human Resources representative and provide him/her as much documentation and literature as possible. They may not be well versed in TG issues but the nature of thier job means they should be willing to help. There is no legal precident that says they can terminate you based on your transition but it does happen occasionally. Depending on where you live most likely you are protected from be discriminated against for your gender identity. Dot all your i's and cross all your t's and always cover your rear so they have no ground to stand on if they do object.
Most companies, especially the larger ones, know that statistically someone will eventually come forward and want to transition on the job. They may not be prepared presently but they can be in a relatively short time.
Genevieve
HRC (Human Rights Campaign) has a Transion Guide (http://www.hrc.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Work_Life/Get_Informed2/Transgender_Issues/WorkplaceGenderTransitionGuidelines-May2006.pdf)
A Map (//http://) from the Transgender Law and Policy Institute.
Kate Alice
Depending on where you live, there may be laws in effect protecting the transgender person. I am in Illinois and last January a law was amended adding transgender persons to a non discrimination bill. Know the laws of your state and this can possibly give you some leverage. I'm not suggesting throwing it at them as a threat. But just knowing the law can give you some confidence when approaching the powers that be at your company.
Good luck. Hope all goes well for you.
I have transitioned twice on the job and learned the following:
1. Do not trust any managers, go to HR and ask that they help you with it and help get the word out.
2. Get EVERYTHING in writing.
3. People will be jerks and some may even end up needing to be fired for sexual harassment.
4. Use your resources efficiently and effectively (therapists, etc)
The first time my manager said that he would handle everything. I walked in my "first" Monday morning to find out that he had not told anyone. He felt it was not his place and that my showing up would be the best way. Yeah, went over like a lead balloon and I ended up with no real work being finished up because everyone had to come and see the new me. Fortunately, I had outed myself to a select few friends there and they were a tremendous help. It was this job (retail) in which a coworker ended up being canned due to rude remarks of a sexual nature. I was told I would be fired if I went near the women's room. Joy. Fortunately I had a private bathroom I could use at work.
The second time around there were resources on the web and I used them to the fullest. I bought two books for work (the managers and HR person read them) and outed myself to the head of HR first and let her handle a lot of it from there. Multiple meetings after that and a time line was set down. I had to give up requesting that management include a note of support with my letter to the employees in exchange to being able to use a specific women's restroom (until post-op). A lot of wheeling and dealing took place and I stressed my safety as my main concern on most issues. Things have gone about as well as I could have expected. Did have one or two people a bit upset that I had not told them beforehand.
The state I live in is not friendly to Ts. The place I work for is very political but I used that to my advantage.
Of course YMMV and good luck. :)