CorporateProfessionals

Add a Comment

Comment by Dana Lleuwelllyn on February 5, 2009 at 8:26pm

My company just got bought by a 2 billion dollar company. All their HR rules say is that they will protect any class which is protected legally, whatever that means. I am employed in a city that has a GLBT protection but I am not sure that they will respect that.

Comment by Jillian T. Weiss on September 22, 2008 at 9:11pm

Ding, Ding, Ding! Congratulations, Gretchen! You are a winner of the September Start-A-Group Contest. You started a group that grew to at least 10 members. I'll send you a copy of my book, if you don't have it already. If you do have it already, I'll send you one you don't have. Thanks for playing!

Comment by Genevieve E. Gronowski on September 22, 2008 at 2:57pm

Having the "right" person in HR is important, no doubt. It's one thing to have an anti-discrim/EEO policy that's inclusive, but having that ally in HR is priceless. Of course a supportive boss is nice, too:)

Comment by Linus Bourque on September 22, 2008 at 9:32am

Gretchen -- have you talked with HR yet? I actually spoke with mine and they were adamant about protecting my rights. It was interesting when I mentioned that I thought some people were visiting my personal blog and I was worried what was there might be taken into work. They told me to notify them ASAP if something happened and they would address it. I've found that most HR persons who are truely professional do their job right and will stand by you (whether they agree with your choice or not). Even my boss was fine with it and said to let her and HR know when I reach the point of "fully transitioning" as well as a couple of trusted colleagues who are very supportive. I've decided to hold off until things become far more visible and more definite. But putting those feelers out beforehand helped ease my mind.

Comment by Gretchen Lindell on September 21, 2008 at 11:47pm

Hi all - I am not out at work yet - anticipating initiating the "process" with HR, etc. in the spring of 2009. My subsidiary, and our domestic parent, adopted "gender identity" as part of corporate diversity guidelines in 2007 - most likely as it helped our HRC CE Index score. I am uncertain of the actual commitment beyond the policy.

Comment by Linus Bourque on September 21, 2008 at 7:44pm

Debra -- LOL. I'm kinda in a similar situation. My company is based in California while I'm in NY. I'm actually a Canadian on a work visa. My company is pretty good about this and a few of my colleagues have figured it out (I'm in the process of transitioning on the job). I think I'm employed by the same kind of company -- where clients and the company are more concerned with my abilities than my gender. It is good to hear success stories now and again (since we usually hear of the times that things don't go well).

Comment by Debra Oppenheimer on September 21, 2008 at 6:53pm

Linus - I managed to transition on the job and I have been very fortunate that both my company and our clients have been more concerned with my abilities than my gender. My current client knows that I am transgender (thanks to Linkedin) but they could care less (helps they are based in the Netherlands).

Comment by Linus Bourque on September 19, 2008 at 11:40am

So I'm curious as to how many others have transitioned on the job in a professional environment where you dealt with clients on a regular basis?