Thu 01 Dec 2022
" Support Trans Employees Who Are Transitioning "
There are 1.6 million trans people living in the U.S., and one in five Gen Zers identify as LGBTQ. As a manager, you need to be prepared to support transgender employees who are transitioning.
(1) Start by educating yourself on the terminology. “Trans” is an umbrella term used to describe the experience of someone whose sex assigned at birth doesn’t match their gender. It encompasses a range of identities, and there is no one way to be trans. The action of “transitioning” typically describes a trans person who is choosing to take legal, medical, or social actions to affirm their identity.
(2) Next, pay attention to the language you use on a daily basis. Respect people’s pronouns, use language that will uplift and validate transgender gender identities, and avoid asking intensely personal questions about surgery, hormones, or biology.
(3) Finally, the best response you can give an employee who is telling you that they’re transitioning is to thank them for sharing their experience with you. Acknowledge that this might have been difficult for them to bring up and that you appreciate their trust in you.
Don’t prod—instead, offer support by helping them take time off, navigate health benefits, or find a mentor who can advise and guide them.
This tip is adapted from “How Managers Can Support a Team Member Who’s Transitioning,” by Nate Shalev
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