Plexus Education Foundation Presents
Transitioning the Workplace
Description
Creating an inclusive and supportive workplace environment for transgender and nonbinary individuals, particularly during their transition, is essential for fostering a culture of respect, acceptance, and equality. This training program is designed to equip managers, human resources personnel, and all employees with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to create a welcoming and affirming workplace for transgender and nonbinary colleagues.
Objectives
- Understand key terms related to gender identity, including transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, and genderfluid.
- Recognize the importance of creating a workplace environment that respects and celebrates gender diversity.
- Understand the legal rights and protections afforded to transgender and nonbinary employees in the workplace, including anti-discrimination laws and company policies.Â
- Review existing workplace policies and procedures to ensure they are inclusive of transgender and nonbinary employees.Â
- Explore the role of organizational leadership in fostering a culture of inclusivity and acceptance.
Components
- Understanding Gender Diversity: Define key terms related to gender identity, including transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, and genderfluid. Explore the spectrum of gender identity and expression beyond the binary concept of male and female. Recognize the importance of creating a workplace environment that respects and celebrates gender diversity.
- Navigating Transgender and Nonbinary Transitions:Â Learn about the challenges and experiences faced by transgender and nonbinary individuals during their transition process. Understand the legal rights and protections afforded to transgender and nonbinary employees in the workplace, including anti-discrimination laws and company policies. Identify strategies for supporting transgender and nonbinary colleagues throughout their transition, including respectful communication and accommodation.
- Creating Inclusive Policies and Practices:Â Review existing workplace policies and procedures to ensure they are inclusive of transgender and nonbinary employees. Implement best practices for updating HR policies related to dress code, restroom and locker room usage, name and pronoun usage, and documentation. Provide guidance on handling confidentiality and privacy concerns related to an employee's transition process.
- Building a Supportive Workplace Culture:Â Explore the role of organizational leadership in fostering a culture of inclusivity and acceptance. Promote allyship and bystander intervention to combat discrimination and harassment against transgender and nonbinary individuals. Encourage open dialogue and education to raise awareness and understanding of gender diversity among all employees.Â
- Resources and Support:Â Provide information about available resources, including employee assistance programs, LGBTQ+ affinity groups, and external support organizations. Offer guidance on accessing medical and mental health support for transgender and nonbinary employees. Share tips for creating a network of support within the workplace, including mentorship opportunities and peer support groups.Â
Recommended Reading
Bach, M. (2022). Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion at Work. Page Two.
Bailar, S. (2023). He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters. Balance.
Dale. L. K. (2022). Gender Euphoria. Unbound.
Dawson, J. (2022). What's the T?: The Guide to All Things Trans and/or Nonbinary. Sourcebooks Fire.
Fowlkes, A. C. (2024). Transgender Inclusion: All the Things You Want to Ask Your Transgender Coworker but Shouldn't. Wiley.
Heyam, K. (2022). Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender. Seal Press.
Young, E. (2019). They/Them/Their. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
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