It is so sad when a workplace acts like that. I know I'm in a different country and we do have tight anti-discrimination laws, buy the place I work for is going the opposite way. Firstly they are very supportive and making sure I am happy with all the ways I'm treated, and doing it positively by asking me. Secondly they are using the situation to advise and teach people about how to report discrimination in the work force of any type and in particular bullying or sexual harassment.

So what they are getting is a win win situation that also they can use in their accreditation standard by demonstrating that they are being pro-active in work place discrimination laws. And for doing what? Obeying the law.

Sadly, it is not uncommon for a "whistleblower" to receive worse treatment after standing firm on an injustice. The attitude seems to be one of "since you want to rock the boat, we're going to get revenge by pushing you as hard as we can without clearly breaking any laws so that you either get frustrated enough to quit or start making enough mistakes for us to fire you."  It's very passive-aggressive.

You say you are looking for other employment. Good. You may need it. Just be aware that it may already be too late to expect a fair work reference from this employer.

My state is an "at-will" state; meaning that not only can I quit at any time without giving a reason, my employer can terminate my employment at any time without giving a reason. If pressed for one, all they have to say is "no longer a good fit". That can be really hard to fight unless there is irrefutable proof of discrimination or other prosecutable activity. Obviously, nobody is going to get fired the day after pressing for decent bathroom rights, but it is not entirely unheard of for such "troublemakers" to be let go without comment several months later.

The law may help establish a fair work environment, but it can only do so much. In the end, people like us are going to be on the receiving end of discrimination regardless of laws until we can effect true social change.

In the end, I guess you gotta pick your battles.  In your case, kudos for fighting the good fight. That takes guts. I hope you eventually emerge victorious. I also hope you find a much more reasonable place to work.

Good luck!!!

UPDATE:

I got a call yesterday from my case investigator at the EEOC. I was getting ready for work at the time. but she told me that Valeo's lawyers have done their own investigation and found that I do indeed have a very strong case. So much so I guess that they sent a response back to the EEOC asking for my settlement demands, BEFORE this even goes to court. My case investigator told me I could settle for as little as a penny or as much as $300,000.00.
When I hung up, I actually threw up. I think it was shock this time.

I have asked for the maximum amount for the following reasons:

1. The heart of a business is it's wallet. Not true for all, but in this case, very much so. And I want to hurt them as much as they hurt me.

2. At that amount, you can be almost certain that the company will train it's employees about Trans issues so that they dont make a mistake like that again.

3. I gave them the EEOC guidelines before I ever filed charges and gave them a chance to rectify their mistake and they ignored me.

4. When all things are settled, you can bet they will find a way to fire me. So I am preparing for unemployment and possibly going back to school.

But I was told there is a good chance I could get the maximum settlement because if it was settled in court, it could cost them much more.

Whether I get that much, I dont know. but it's worth a try.

I will of course keep you updated. But please know that if you face a similar situation, then DO file a charge with the EEOC. It's free and if enough of us do so then eventually businesses will get the message that we are human beings, we are like everyone else and we will not take discrimination at work as just another part of transsexual life.

You don't have to justify fighting a bad situation and demanding remuneration for your suffering, not at all.  Good for you for taking it to them! Finish strong girlfriend!

Please do make an example of them if possible, in the system we live in private employment is what most of us depend on, and private companies need to be nondiscriminatory in thier policies AND actions.

I guess I'm just a girl who is tired of being stepped on. I mean, the other two techs I have to interact with at work all but ignore me. One wont even look at me on the rare occasions that he does talk to me And I'm the one who get's written up for not seeking help when I need it. If I win, I wont have to worry about that anymore.
I want to buy a house so I can stop living in crappy rentals where landlords dont fix anything. Go to school and get a degree in something I truly want to do or where I can best help people, (Gender therapist anyone?) and give my kids a little something towards their future. And finally get more laser work done on my face so I can finally feel like a woman and not a bearded lady.

I wished I was a fly on that HR guy's wall if you do win.

lol

Keaira,
  I hope you do win.  I worked in a large corporation that had an HR section.  We hated them with a passion. I got a few friends who worked in an aerospace company here, these friends referred these people as "Human Resources f###s". 
  Joelene

Ah, but I have won. Valeo could have fought me and won very easily if their lawyers found I didn't have a case. But after they did their own investigating, they saw that they were pretty much over a legal barrel with their pants down. If HR had simply read the new guidelines I had provided and heeded them, things could have been just fine. I could have gone back to blending in as just another female employee.
So, since they have found that I have them over a barrel, they want to get it over with before it ever goes to court. Between the legal fee's and bad PR it would generate, it would become even more expensive very quickly.

So it's a matter of how rough or how gentle I want to be. Given all the crap that I have had to put up with since I started transition, I am certainly not going to be gentle. *Throws away the lube*

@Keaira

Hi Keaira,

Congratulations and hats off to you, ma'am!

May I ask you a question? Are you pre- or poet-op?

Good job again!
Andrea

Quote from: NotThereYet on August 31, 2012, 01:51:09 PM
@Keaira

Hi Keaira,

Congratulations and hats off to you, ma'am!

May I ask you a question? Are you pre- or poet-op?

Good job again!
Andrea

I am Pre-Op. I know that money would cover SRS but I think the most I will have is an orchi, simply because my wife doesnt want me to have SRS and I've always seen it as being out of my reach and I made peace with that. Somewhat.


Had a meeting with Joe Garavaglia in HR today at about 5:30. He wanted to just touch base, see how things were going for me, etc. I can't help but feel like it's related to the EEOC case. He also mentioned that training for managers, etc. Was now on the radar.

Mark Bledsoe had a meeting with him just before that where my name and gender changes had been discussed. I'm sure he was not too happy.
We discussed what could be done to accommodate me better, why I don't want to be a molding tech anymore, etc. I also suggested benefits for same sex partners and coverage for SRS in our health plan. But I'm not buying into the 'I'm your buddy in HR' thing. I brought up the bathroom issue again and was told that it was a temporary situation but when I asked about the time frame I was not given one. And really, all this could have been avoided.

I was nice about it though.

All in all, I think Valeo is worried.

Just got done reading about your ordeal.

All I can say is wow...

I sure would like to know what happened with your case, Any updates??

I've not heard anything more back from my investigator. It's probably going to take some time still. Meanwhile, I Still have to use the unisex bathrooms. I honestly think that they don't quite get the hint here.

@Laura91

I have not looked for one yet.

My contact from INTRAA ( Indiana Transgender Advocacy Association) would like me to give a talk to others to show that there is hope when this case is closed. I told her I would do it. Although I've never done public speaking before. But, I know how it feels to think you don't have a leg to stand on. So if it helps others, I'll do it. ^_^

Today I was fired. I recorded the meeting on my ipod for future reference. And I have notified the EEOC Investigator I was working with. So, I'm going to be stepping off into the deep end. I have to find a new job under my new name, different gender, etc. So it's even more stressful this time. But it's okay. I've gone this far without faltering. So I'll be okay. ^_^

Quote from: Keaira on February 06, 2013, 10:26:52 PM
Today I was fired. I recorded the meeting on my ipod for future reference. And I have notified the EEOC Investigator I was working with. So, I'm going to be stepping off into the deep end. I have to find a new job under my new name, different gender, etc. So it's even more stressful this time. But it's okay. I've gone this far without faltering. So I'll be okay. ^_^

I'm so sorry I'm sure you will find a better job.

Sorry to see that Valeo fired you. I would have thought with EEOC up their asses and a possible 300K settlement to be paid out, they would have played their cards better. Obviously, it seems to me that your firing was retaliatory in nature. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Sending you hugs and support, Keiara!

I was fired for too many write-ups. they have a 3 write-up limit in 1 year. Funny that I didnt even get shown one, let alone sign it.
Also, I have never seen anyone crash a robot and get written up or even drug tested like I was.

Oh well....

My case investigator and I are going to chat on tuesday. So I hope to have something to post then.