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HR Support for Transgender Employees in the Workplace

Editor's Note: Eliminate discrimination against transgender employees and applicants.

Beth P. ZollerOverview: Employers face unique issues and challenges with respect to transgender employees and applicants. Although gender identity is not currently protected under federal law, it is best practice for employers to treat transgender status and gender identity as a protected class and prohibit applicant and employee discrimination against transgendered individuals. Further, employers should know that many state and local laws prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. Employers should therefore institute a zero policy against discrimination based on transgender status and make sure that there is an effective system in place to bring complaints of discrimination and harassment.

Further, employers should be willing to accommodate the requests of transgender employees and applicants to make reasonable accommodations with regard to dress codes, appearance policies, restrooms and other sensitive issues unless the employer can establish that it would suffer an undue hardship. Employers should make sure that policies and practices are in place to deal issues such as employees transitioning, name changes and other matters involving employee privacy and confidentiality.

Although some employers may feel uncomfortable accommodating transgender employees, employers should aim to provide a tolerant work environment and only deny a transgender employee's request for accommodation if it can be justified by a business need.

Trends: Employers should understand that the law with regard to protection transgender status is changing rapidly. States such as Massachusetts and California already address gender identity and transgender status and provide such individuals with employment protection. Further, a significant number of cities and counties prohibit discrimination based on gender identity.

Employers should also be aware that the EEOC recently recognized the right of a transgender employee to bring a discrimination claim under Title VII. In Macy v. Holder, EEOC No. 0120120821, the EEOC held that claims of discrimination based on gender identity, change of sex, sex stereotyping, and transgender status were a form of sex discrimination as such claims were based on sex. This may pave the way for increased employment protection for transgender employees and applicants.

Beth P. Zoller, J.D., Legal Editor

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HR guidance on developing and implementing policies and practices aimed at preventing discrimination against transgender employees and applicants.

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