Transgender Colleagues
Background
Even though this article is a little dated (2015) it is still the best example of basic how-to’s when navigating openly transgender colleagues (i.e., someone “whose gender identity or expression is different from those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth") in the workplace. In 2015, there were 700,000 transgender Americans – a significant number, but much smaller than the 8 million gays, lesbians, and bisexuals living in the U.S., according to surveys. You may go your entire career without knowingly encountering a transgender colleague. This article will help you in creating a safe and welcoming environment and better understand how to exemplify inclusive leadership towards transgender colleagues.
Assignment Checklist
In this week’s Diversity Article #2, there are 5 main paragraphs of the paper. In this Harvard Business Review article, please address the following elements in your assignment:
- A 2011 survey revealed that 47% of transgender respondents had experienced a “negative job outcome – such as being fired, not hired, or denied promotion” because of their gender identity or expression. Do you believe this still exists in 2020 and why? Be sure to use this week’s class lecture and material in your response.
- In the section "Take your cues from your colleague" the article says: "Some of your transgender colleagues may be pleased to discuss their own experiences or trans issues in general, while others may be more reticent." From your own life, have you experienced a colleague or classmate from a marginalized identity such as transgender or LGBTQ+ that was open to having a personal conversation with you? If so, what was that experience like? If no, how do you believe you would approach a diverse person and show inclusivity towards them in order to lean more about their life?
- Lastly, was there anything in the article that was new or shocking to you and what do you believe the business case is for having diverse teams and individuals in the workplace?
Papers should be at least 1 page in length and no longer than 2. Page lengths are for guidance only, if you need to go more than 2 pages, that is acceptable. Please use headings corresponding with the 1-3 questions above for clarity in your paper.