Transitioning Nine To Five: Making the Workplace Trans Friendly
Being trans is not easy, working as a trans person can be even harder. You may deal with misgendering possibly daily, not being called your chosen name, and even having to wear a gender dysphoria-inducing uniform. This piece highlights just some ways offices can make their workplace an easier and more accepting place for trans people. So without further ado, here are ways to make the office easier for trans folks working nine to five.
1. Respect The Name
I cannot stress this enough, respect a trans person’s chosen name. If they tell you this is my name, please use it. Even better, make name tags with that person’s name on them so they feel validated and respected in the office. There may very well be a chance that the trans employee has not legally changed their name yet.
This is absolutely no excuse to deadname them, be gender inclusive. If you are their boss or coworker, respect and love their name, and support them in their transition. The same goes for pronouns. If someone tells you these are my pronouns, they are putting trust in you to honor them.
You would not want to be misgendered in the office, so put yourself in their shoes. If you are struggling with names or pronouns, maybe practice it in the mirror. Making the effort is key, and can go a long way, and may even make their day.
2. Accommodate The Clothes
One way to affirm a trans person’s identity is through gender-affirming clothing. If your coworker is a trans woman, and the dress code is business casual, let her wear a dress or skirt or nice shoes to work. We work our best when we feel good in ourselves inside and out. If all the men in the office wear suits and the trans person wants to wear one, encourage it, celebrate it.
Do not try to police who can wear what. Forcing someone to wear something they feel discomfort in can cause distress and a poorer quality of work. Even a gender-neutral uniform may work too. Just make sure the trans person feels validated in what they wear to work because believe it or not it can make a big difference.
Need Help With Your Job Search?
Enroll in our online course, Find a Job Fast: The Job Search Accelerator For Career Professionals
3. Stand Up
If you see a coworker bullying or abusing a trans coworker, say something. Even if it is someone not using the person’s correct names and pronouns, correct them. Treat others how you want to be treated. This may sound simple, but I myself have even had a coworker criticize me behind my back for being a part of the LGBTQ+ community. Luckily, a friend stood up for me, but it happens more than you may think.
So treat your trans coworker like your best friend, and lead with kindness in the face of hate.
4. Be Friendly
This leads me to my last point which is to treat them like human beings. Interacting with trans people may or may not be new to you. Yet, we are still people with hopes, dreams, and desires. If you see a trans person alone, ask them to join you for lunch. Extend a hand to them. Having a friend can go a long way.
Do not over-ask questions about their transition every time you see them. They may deal with that often. Just have a conversation with them, and get to know them. The more being trans is normalized in society the easier it is for us to exist in the world. It is as simple as that.
Being trans is not easy, but kindness and respect in the workplace can go a long way.
Now, let me say, this list isn’t the end of how to make the workplace easier for trans people. These are just some ways to get started. Trust your intuition, and lead from a place of intelligence and empathy. Once you get to know us, you may find we are just like you, beautiful and divine.
Related:
Meet The Writer!
Hello ! I’m Joan Rittberg. I am a freelance writer and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Some publications I write and have written for include Medium, The Pennsylvania Equality Project, and Queers for a Cause. I was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. I graduated from Millersville University with a B.A. in Communications with a Concentration in Theatre. My writing is focused on the LGBTQ+ Community and Pop Culture. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.
