I basically transioned at work years ago.   I worked for an insurance Co, had commenced hormones and my hair was getting far too long for an office job.

I had to meet with HR etc and attempted to explain, was not easy.  They suggested I take 2 weeks leave and come back as full female. That I did and so my journey began. I encountered a few problems from males in my department, but mainly ignored them. When I felt I had enough experience, I moved on to another company.

muffin you are very wise......

This is what I was worried about when I transitioned and came out back in the mid 80's, thankfully though I was kept on. Although the company did appear to want to get rid of me by deliberately keeping my salary very low. Once I'd had all my ops I left that company and even moved to a different country where my past is completely unknown. This is the only way to avoid predjudice and transphobia.
I'm really sorry the OP lost her job and hope something comes along

Happily I transitioned more or less before my career began so that possibility never really existed for me. But looking through the modern day requirements that some have to conform to I am not surprised that as Muffin say's:

Quote from: Muffin on January 08, 2010, 08:06:16 PM
I think it's very tempting to want to go full time before one is ready for it in the eyes of others.

Because of course, as I understand it, many of you are forced into doing precisely that by your doctors!  Unless I am wrong, in some places, people end up doing a one year RLE before they can even start on hormones. Which to me seems barbaric, imbecilic and utterly wrong.

It's as if the medical people at places like CAMH are deliberately setting people up for failure. In which case I personally think they would deserve to be sued for malpractice. I don't understand why so many put up with these archaic rules. It's high time we forced this to taken out of the DSM and we got a decent set of medical treatment protocols.

Wow, do I ever feel your pain.

I haven't changed but have a feminine personality which, long ago, I decided, was who I am.

I've lost lots of jobs. Always the claims are, ecomony, poor performance, something like that. I've had men take me aside and try it on. After refusing, I'm out.

I was an RN for 10 years. Twice, employers loaded me up with a succession of allegations, most of which were serious enough, on their own, to warrent instant dismissal anyway, but that never actually happened. And surprisingly enough, after eventually leaving both jobs, I was given references!!!!!

About 20 years ago I retrained and have been doing temp work. It has paid the bills. I work to live.

Quote from: milktea on January 08, 2010, 10:14:38 AM
heard about the hsbc senior exec in hong kong who got fired for being a transexual? what does that speak about 'power'? that someone had a bigger stick?

I meant it in the sense of Nietzchian power. The following link would be helpful

Quote
Crime belongs to the concept "revolt against the social order." One does not "punish" a rebel; one suppresses him. A rebel can be a miserable and contemptible man; but there is nothing contemptible in a revolt as such--and to be a rebel in view of contemporary society does not in itself lower the value of a man. There are even cases in which one might have to honor a rebel, because he finds something in our society against which war ought to be waged--he awakens us from our slumber.

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/travis_denneson/power.html

I gave up struggling for the power for a while 

Barbie~~

In an ultimate sense, becoming a lawyer would empower you as a TS. Do we have any notable lawyers in our communities?

      Milktea made the suggestion to move to a new employment after comming out.  The problem with that is you have to tell your new potential employer where you worked before.  Then under what name you were using.  So then you have to explain the name change and why.  So you are outing again.  Hence no job.  This won't be true in all cases I am sure.  But how do you prove you were discriminated against for not getting the job? 

Quote from: Dylen on February 02, 2010, 12:06:23 AM
The problem with that is you have to tell your new potential employer where you worked before.

Yes, you can state where you've worked but you don't need to put them down as a reference. You can get other people who are supportive of your transition to be your references... might it be other previous employers, mentors, or volunteer organizations. Does this make sense?

Wrongful termination (suing over getting fired) is very, very hard to prove unless you were working for total idiots.  Suing for not getting a job is all but impossible in this economy, or any economy really.  All they are going to say, all they will say, what they are trained to say (because I've even had to said it on occasion) is: I'm sorry, but we found someone who was a closer match for that position.  And that's if they say anything more than: I'm sorry, we've already filled that position.

If you are getting fired, there might be discrimination, but the hiring process itself is discrimination by its very nature in that you are looking for a certain person from the get go.  And when you have a situation like the current one, in which people with decades of skills and experience are applying for jobs 100, 200 at a time, its real hard to say that you were somehow treated more unfairly then the other 198 people who also did not get the job.

Quote from: tekla on January 08, 2010, 10:35:35 AMAnd I think what Barbie says about power is true. Its easy to pick on people who you know will not fight back, or who will react by ineffective means.

For all the stuff about 'love conquers all' real change comes only under threat. Power can only be confronted with power.

True, true, true, true. If you have a strong stance and are assertive/aggressive even the biggest douche bags will try to not cross your path- no matter their position. The workforce is all about strength, no matter where you are on the totem pole.

Unfortunately there are many people who believe there is something wrong with us and cannot accept that we actually have a medical condition and we are not bad people. We can work for one of the the many transgender friendly companies or wait until everything is changed (SS, Birth certificate diplomas, etc) and look for a job as a woman. Many Transgendered people don't have these choices so we need to fight for our rights. The good news is many big companies (like Boeing and Microsoft for example) do accept us and as we continue the fight things will get better. I knew many years ago about my severe GID but when I was young no one was accepting; we have made some progress but we have a long way to go. If things had been the way they are now I would be 30 years post op instead of pre op looking forward to surgery. I do think it is important to work in a supportive enviornment; hopefully you will find one.

Pam

Before taking any step, I should comprehend my position in the environment of my workplace and also the outreach. The horizon I walk toward is not well known, and it could be hostile or friendly.

Every step is risky. Thus I should also evaluate what I have and do not have. Who can help or support me if some skirmishes occurs? I can face it or others can intervene instead of me. Which would be better?

This is to evaluate how much power I have in confronting the uncertain horizon.

Tomorrow I will wear a pair of ankle boots under bootcut jeans. They are 2-3 inch heels, and just delivered. It will be a small but thrilling and exciting step. Enjoy it.

Barbie~~

I'm so sorry
It's ->-bleeped-<-ty and ridiculous that these things happen. Fortunately attitudes are changing, but it's not happening fast enough. Best of luck finding another job hon.

Quote from: Jonni on October 01, 2009, 12:34:56 PM
I went fulltime at work to and was laid off after six months. They said it was due to the economy and lack of sales. I was the most knowledgeable employee they had in my dept. What it really boiled down to was discomfort from some of the other employees with certain religious backgrounds and prejuduces.
I have been unemployed since January and haven't been able to find employment. I too may soon be homeless with nowhere to go in the dead of winter to boot.
Phyically I could never de-transiton as I have passed the point of no return. Besides I would ever detransiton for any reason!
I feel your pain and wish you the best of luck!
BIG HUGS

Jonni, people's discomfort is the number one reason why transsexuals are fired form their jobs and not that they are unable to do their work. Gets back to the 'you're not one of us' crap.

Gennee

Quote from: Jonni on October 01, 2009, 12:34:56 PM
I went fulltime at work to and was laid off after six months. They said it was due to the economy and lack of sales. I was the most knowledgeable employee they had in my dept. What it really boiled down to was discomfort from some of the other employees with certain religious backgrounds and prejuduces.
I have been unemployed since January and haven't been able to find employment. I too may soon be homeless with nowhere to go in the dead of winter to boot.
Phyically I could never de-transiton as I have passed the point of no return. Besides I would ever detransiton for any reason!
I feel your pain and wish you the best of luck!
BIG HUGS

I would think for survival purposes it might be better not to disclose information relating to your birth gender when seeking new employment?

      I have an additional problem at work.  We are required to change into our uniforms at work.   If I came out then would I be allowed to use the female lockeroom for changing.  Not unless I had GRS first.  But then as one presenting as female (with male plumbing)- would I be required to use the male lockeroom.   There is a poster in the lunchroom that says one cannot be discriminated against for gender.  I have no doubt that the company would find a way to fire me when it comes up.   I just have to be ready for it.

I am lucky not to be fired.I work at a company as head person of Human resources for a company.I knew where I work right after I started my transiton that an anti discrimination policy was put in place including GLBT people 3 years ago and still is for life.My boss Elena and my co workers say I still do my job although I am now a woman now.

you are very pretty! i think there was no need to tell them you were a guy because if you look like your avatar picture you look like a GG, BUT

yeah they have no right to do that. in a court of law they will fall flat. i bet you could milk 10 million from them, 10 million at least. if worse comes to worse you could be a guest star on oprah.

I can add a story or two to this thread also.

I had been working at a Dry Cleaners in Texas back in the 90's. I was pretty much knowing what direction I wanted to move in and my family was aware I liked males. I wore my hair in a bob and wore eyebrow pencil. I also had a very feminine figure already so I wore jeans that accentuated my body. Anyway things pretty much went without any incident for a month or so. One day the CEO of the company was taking a tour of some of the stores in the area. He saw me and did not say anything to me. Next thing I know my manager tells me I cannot work there until I get a more masculine haircut. According to her the CEO had requested it after she had told him I was a male.

I did not know what to do! I was living in Texas and home is not just over the next town! I had a friend who told me just to cut my hair as I needed the money bad. I cut my hair and hung my head in shame. I then went back to the dry cleaners and got my job back. I was kinda seeing a guy at the time and he was very upset. He stayed with me but supported me when I decided to quit that job.

Needless to say I was very young back then and did not know ->-bleeped-<- about my rights and just wanted to get my hair back to the length it had been. I also needed rent money so I eventually got another job about three weeks later.

That was a learning experience. Things happen for a reason. You can be assured that they were probably already looking for any reason to let you go anyway! This "transition-on-the-job" you were doing was just a convenient time for them to do it. My advice is to move on and find a job that is better for you. I don't know what skills you have but if you got it- work those skills like you never have before! I really wish you the best and will send positive thoughts you way.

Keep your head up