7 top tips for trans job advice
One of the biggest fears a trans person has after coming out, even after years of employment history, is that companies will simply refuse to employ them because of their gender. In some countries there are layers of employment protection designed to prevent overt discrimination, but when company policies over toilets, gyms, and other single sex spaces come into play it can often be a daunting experience. This does get easier to navigate as you progress through transition, but some things are always lurking there in the background regardless of how far along you progress. I wanted to share some of my experiences and help any trans person seeking job advice.
1. Only share your personal status if they ask you about it, especially at interviews
This seems counter intuitive, but if you raise your gender identity status to your employer when they do not need to know then they will perceive that you see your gender as an issue the must know about above many other things. If medical procedures are planned, or are on the horizon in the near term, then once you have the job you can discuss it with HR and your prospective line manager; otherwise, no company needs to know that you are trans or what your gender identity is. This can seem controversial, but if a company goes out of its way to ask about your gender at an interview then it is usually a sign that it may not be the best place to work. Your transition may be the single biggest thing in your life at this point in time, but in a work environment most employers only really care that you will focus on delivering your required job requirements.
2. Oversharing in the workplace is never a good idea
Your gender is very much your business, and while sharing things with colleagues is par for the course, unless you really want someone to know your gender identity you are best keeping it to yourself. If there is transphobia in the workplace, or the work environment is potentially hostile to queer folk take this up with your line manager or HR. If you are discrete, you will be able to keep hold of a side of yourself for outside of work, and compartmentalise your work identity as a separate things.
3. Not all problems in the workplace are down to your gender identity
Being trans may cause issues in the work place, especially if you have transphobic colleagues, but many of the issues you face in a job come from different directions. If you have a toxic manager, a colleague who is generally disrespectful, a client who fails to notify you on time, or stakeholders who will not engage, none of these issues relate back to your gender. Sometimes things do become conflated, especially if you are having a hard time with your transition, but take a step back and look to untangle your personal issues from the work problem at hand. This way, when things are directly related to your gender identity you will be able to deal with them in a more focused way, rather than worrying that everything comes down to people having an issue with your gender.
4. If you do face issues with respect to your gender know who to speak to in the organisation
HR is NOT your friend, it is there to protect the company or organisation’s reputation and ensure they comply with the law. If you are having issues with transphobia, need to take medical leave of absence, or have other gender related problems, make sure that you consult the company handbook and potentially a union representative to ensure you know your rights and where you stand. If you go to HR or your line manager armed with this knowledge you are a step closer to getting a better result for you as a person.
5. Do not be afraid to walk away from a job that is harming your mental or physical health
Yes you may urgently need the money, health insurance, or other benefits, but no job is worth destroying your health over. If you need continuity of cover for health insurance or need to ensure you do not lose your income, search the job market and apply for jobs at the earliest opportunity. Once you have a new role hand your notice in. Only resign your post without having another role to move into if there is no other option. Having a plan will also make your mental health better, rather than jumping out of the pan into the fire.
6. Know when something is a mental health issue and when it is environmental
Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues can get wrapped up in gender identity issues, and it is crucial that you are able to recognise if these are being exacerbated by your work environment. Being trans can be a triggering factor, especially if you have a hostile environment, but it could also just be as likely that the work sucks, you are being overloaded, your manager is a viper, or the company generally does not care about its employees. Yes, transition can be hard and taxing, but work in the modern economy is tough on most folk. Be kind to yourself and understand the difference, as this will make it easier if you need to switch to a different organisation.
7. Find a mentor
There are many folk who are happy to act as a mentor, and finding someone who can help guide you through a new job, or into a better one, is invaluable. This can be hard if you do not know where to turn, but sites like Reddit and LinkedIn are a great place to start. The worst that will happen is the prospective mentor will ignore your email, but as long as you are polite and not demanding, often people are willing to give you advice and help, often surprising you with their generosity of spirit.
