Today, there are thousands of members of our society who have changed their sex, and hundreds more are in the process of doing so. In the past, these persons were advised to quit their jobs and start over as members of the other sex. More and more, however, transsexuals are choosing to remain on the job while they transition from male to female or from female to male, a process that can take several years.
This poses new challenges for employers, who seek to maintain an amicable work environment, good relations with customers, and a high level of productivity, while providing support for the transitioning worker. Yet, there is little guidance available to help employers understand the phenomenon of transsexualism or develop a strategy for accommodating the transsexual employee.
Employers may be surprised to learn that they have a transsexual employee; these individuals may appear no different than their coworkers and are often motivated and hard-working. They can continue to make valuable contributions at work if they are supported in making the changes that are necessary for their healthy personal development. Employers have much to gain by hiring transsexual workers, by providing an atmosphere in which they can be open about their gender identity, and by assisting them through their process of self-realization.
Typically, employers have many questions regarding their transsexual employees:
We can provide answers to your questions and help you formulate a plan for making your transsexual employee's transition as smooth as possible. We offer diversity training focused on transgender issues, alone or as an adjunct to broader diversity training. We make presentations to EAP personnel, management teams, and coworkers to help them understand transsexualism, to offer guidance about management strategies, and to advise them about what to expect.
We draw upon the experience of other employers and transsexual employees who have successfully completed the transition process to resolve common issues, and we address concerns that are specific to your workplace.
Interviewing your transsexual employee helps us to discover what his or her particular needs are. Individuals differ, for example, in their sensitivity, willingness to make compromises, and desire for privacy. Meeting with your company's representatives allows us to learn about the unique challenges and opportunities for creative problem resolution your workplace presents.
We then design a program that will work satisfactorily for everyone. If necessary, we can also act as a liaison with the employee's therapist, with lawyers, and with the media, and we are available for follow-up consultation.
Michele Kämmerer has been employed by the Los Angeles City Fire Department as a Firefighter and Captain since 1969. She transitioned from male to female on the job between 1991 and 1993. She provides support for transsexuals experiencing difficulties in their employment and educates helping professionals and the general public about transsexualism.
Janis Walworth has an MS in Counseling from Fitchburg State College and has been an advocate and counselor to members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities since 1985. She provides training and supervision for therapists, HR and EAP professionals and others addressing gender issues, and she runs conferences that bridge gaps between communities.
Contact Info
Center for Gender Sanity
PO Box 30313
Bellingham, WA 98228
360-398-2878
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This page last updated Thursday, 10-Jul-03 03:33:48 EDT.
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