Here is a copy of a letter I provided HR at work today:

My fellow associates:
I am writing everyone to inform you about something that is essentially a personal matter and has no effect on anyones role. I feel it is important to be open and honest with everyone, informing people with the same information. For those who know me personally, you may notice some changes in my appearance the next time you see me. The reason for these changes are I am Transgender. I have struggled with my gender identity. This past year I reached out for professional guidance. I have talked with a Counsellor, Registered Therapist, Endocrinologist, as well as regular visits with my Doctor. They all have a role in my ongoing treatment for Gender Dysphoria.
Following the Standards of Care that set out the guidelines for the treatment of Gender Dysphoria I began Hormone Replacement Therapy(HRT) last April. HRT is changing some of my physichal characteristics and is improving my emotional state. Aside from a few slight changes to my personal apperance, the attire I wear at work always meets company dress code standards. I have not undrgone any major changes to date but things continue to change as the time goes by. As for a name change.
Most of you know me by the name ***. I am in the process of legally changing my first name to Jessica. People who I meet for the first time I introduce my self as Jessica. Those who know me by *** are encouranged to refer to me as Jessica. As far as what pronoun(male or female) to use? I do not insist anyone start referring to me in female terms right away.  I understand this is not an easy adjustment for anyone to make so take your time. Keep in mind using the proper terms and the misgendering of trans people is an important issue to be educated about.
I am fortunate to have great support from family members. My wife and I continue to build on our relationship, August 1 we celebrated our 15 year wedding anniversary. After getting over the initial shock our two teenagers(13&14) have adapted as my transition becomes part of everyday life. When I began this process the managment and supervisor team here at (Progresive Corporation Name Here) were informed of my intentions. They have all been very supportive and are certainly cultivating a diverse workplace that everyone can feel safe in.
This life change that I am going through may be hard for some to understand. If you have any questions please feel free to talk with me.  I would be happy to answer your questions or direct you to additional information if you are interested. Some of you may not approve, that is fine, that is your right. It is important to remember everyone has the right to be treated with respect. Now that I have shared this personal information with you it is my hope and intention that things will move on like it is business as usual.
Thank You,

professional, direct, non confrontational but standing your ground.  i like it.  good luck!

I am working with my HR. There is three things that will be edited, I asked for them after reflecting on the words of my HR during our meeting yesterday. She has informed the two managers I work closest with that we are moving forward with female pronouns and they are supportive. Once the letter is edited and the company President and HR have both wrote a short letter of support, these will all be sent to everyone in the company.
aside
Today I talked with a co worker who I am out to and consider a friend. I told him he has to stop calling me MR. He told me he could say what he wants. there was a really awkward silence for a couple minutes. He knew I was informing co-workers soon. I told him about the letter probably being sent out next week some time.
By the end of the day as we were finishing up hes said "Thanks Miss". I laughed and said he is getting it.

This is a great way to come out at work!!!! I actually sat down with my store manager and told him I wanted to bring it up in our manager's meeting with my peers. I didn't prepare anything I got some time in the meeting. I stood up and explained hey I will still be doing my job but, I couldn't continue working under the same pretenses and that I was transgender. It was hard not to cry and some were. They gave me hugs and other things. So most of my peers got it but, like you I have a few that don't want to use my name or new pronouns. There is going to be some in a group that don't understand but, hopefully most at your workplace will support you and make it easier. Being open in all aspects in my life has made things 1000% better than they were before transitioning. So continue fighting for being yourself!!!!!

I like it.  Has this already been done?  I'd love to know your reactions.  I will need to write up a similar letter eventually.  We are much too big and spread out to have an in-person meeting.

Bari Jo

Quote from: Bari Jo on October 19, 2017, 07:44:03 PM
Has this already been done? 

The letter will go out sometime next week.
I will certainly have much more to share next Friday, I plan to update this topic as things progress.

Maybe one day people will not have to write letters like this in order to explain everything?

I'm just wondering why is this needed? I can understand speaking with supervisors and HR directly and maybe 1 or 2 brief emails to make it "official".  I'm only asking because one day I will have to do something similar, but I honestly wouldn't want to send an email to everyone in the company I work for to let them know.

I see the same people everyday, for the most part, and they will know from seeing me. Something short can be said at a staff meeting, but I really wouldn't want to make an announcement either. Lol maybe I'll just have to find another job when I go full time I don't know..

Good question Dist.  In a perfect world, it wouldn't be needed.  However even the most progressive companies (I'm in one of them), people are social and still tend to gossip and have pressure to conform.  These letters protect us cans remind everyone to be accepting.  At least this is how I'm looking at it.

Bari Jo

Quote from: dist123 on October 20, 2017, 06:57:45 PM
I'm just wondering why is this needed?

I agree with Bari Jo. These letters protect everyone. The Person, co-workers and the Corporation. I do not have to explain to everyone what is going on, if they have questions beyond the letter they are free to ask me. Anyone who disagrees will still have to treat me with respect and the company will support me of cases of harassment and misgendering.

There is a few things I feel I should share.

The corporation I work for is very large and has associates in many different territories. When I inevitably run into a co-worker they should be properly informed before we meet in order to save them from the shock. Hopefully allowing all of us to do our job, business as usual.

My health plan will cover short term disability when I have upper or lower surgery, my wife's plan gives me some over lapping coverage so to date I have spent almost $30 on six months of finasteride. Other then that, I do not have to pay for my HRT meds.

Thank goodness for the Canadian Health Care System.

Other then transportation and accommodation I will not have to pay for my surgeries, as long as I follow the process. The process includes letters like this. I can now start the timer on my "Real Life Experience"

Those who are not familiar with new Canadian Law Bill C-16 you can read up here:
https://openparliament.ca/bills/42-1/C-16/
This Law protects the rights of transgender people in all aspects of Canadian society.

My transition road map is playing out and I feel very fortunate about my circumstances.

One other part to this story is my first meeting with HR.
At my first meeting(April 2017) my HR Lady was very enthusiastic and excited about the news I was transgender and I wanted to transition at work. She actually said this is exciting. She said to me that she knows nothing about how a person transitions but is interested to learn. A little more confused I looked at her and I thought to myself
"Your only happy because you can now say you have a transgender person in your company and look how diverse our work force is"
I told her I was confused by her reaction. She says to me
"I am Lesbian"  she said she will not tolerate anyone discriminating or harassing anyone in the company. If I had any issue I should come to her right away"
She went on to tell me a little bit about herself and after that I felt very relaxed and comfortable talking to her.
She has done a great job facilitating my transition in the workplace.

That us great Jessica.  I always get an us vs them vibe from our HR.  I'm dreading having the meeting but will do it.  I think it's better for everybody.  We can plan the employee annc together, like you are!

Jessica (I like your name!), I wish you the best of luck. I think a letter is a great way to let those you work with know about your transition. It will tell them what to expect from you, and what you expect from them. How the letter is worded depends on your environment, the size of the company, and how much information you plan to share. Since HR is helping you draft the letter I would say you are in good hands.

I also agree with Bari Jo - in a perfect world this would probably be unnecessary. Unfortunately we are not there yet.

My plans? I work in a large company with over 30,000 employees that is LGBT friendly. I am too far along in my career to move somewhere else. No one would ever guess that I plan to transition. I have only come out to two people at work, and the emotional relief was profound. Coming out to the world only happens once, and if HR agrees I would like to take that opportunity to show the emotional impact coming out can have on someone who has lived in the shadows all of their life. Maybe this will help a few people understand the struggle we go through to reach this point in our lives, and maybe it will help pull someone out the darkness. I am going to take pride in my transition and try to gently educate those around me. I am frightened by the thought of doing this, but if in some way it can help the transition of those who may follow it will be worth it.

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on October 20, 2017, 08:51:09 PM
Jessica (I like your name!).

In a perfect world this would probably be unnecessary. Unfortunately we are not there yet.

I am going to take pride in my transition and try to gently educate those around me. I am frightened by the thought of doing this, but if in some way it can help the transition of those who may follow it will be worth it.

I like your name too ,
One day, once more people are educated enough letters like these will not be necessary.
I certainly hope that I will be able to educate others about trans people while I go through my transition and after.


Quick update, I was asked to put together a short Q and A, with questions I think might be asked and to answer those questions. I have submitted them and HR will reword the Q and A a little bit. HR will not meet with the entire Leadership team until November 1(next week). At that time she will update them and the letter should be sent out to my co-workers maybe late next week.