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Annette MacGregor
The idea of coming out at work is one that fills me with much trepidation.
But, recent events have made me think that maybe, just maybe...
But, I'm getting ahead of myself. I work for a fairly large "high tech" company, that has an LGBT advocacy group and policies that say they accept transgendered employees. Okay, so far.
I live in NJ, which has laws against firing based on gender. The divisional headquarters is based in CA which also has similar laws. However, the ultimate headquarters is in MA... Only legal protections for Sexual Orientation there, not gender... Add to this how EASY it would be to "frame" one of us to "claim" the firing was due to performance rather than gender issues. So, I think with reason, I'm still nervous.
I joined that advocacy group, and as far as they know, I'm one of their straight allies. We have two corporate sponsors (both very senior VPs, one of which is straight the other LGB & OUT). Not much happened this past year, but at the end of the year conference call, they dropped a bombshell on us.
As of last week, the corporate muckety mucks approved inclusion of trans medical benefits starting in 2011. Is this amazing? (I know the 2010 HRC survey showed 66 major companies that already have some form of this.) Too late for me to take advantage of - I think... And, I don't yet know WHAT benefits. But, I find that they'll be offering ANY benefits a positive sign.
Then, in a fit of - I dunno what, you tell me - insanity, I volunteered to take a position on the board of the LGBT advocacy group... We'll see if that was a good move, or not... But, it, maybe, gives me a better opportunity to find out what's going on and perhaps be helpful. We'll see.
But, this gives me a little more hope for a successful work transition (now, if I can only manage my non-work transition. LOL). But, to be honest, I expect to have to change divisions when I do transition - as my current position is very "in your face", as far as the clients are concerned, which might be an issue. Time will tell.
Thanks for listening (okay, reading).
Anne
Comments
Good luck!
from me. Sounds lke very promising developments.
re: Road to Myself - 10
Hi Annette
I too work in a hightech company and I thought that when I transition they would want to keep me hidden away from customers. I couldn't have been more wrong.
The European MD told the regional staff early in December, and emails were sent to customers that I deal with. The offices in the North American region and Asia-Pacific region were told the following week. My fulltime date was the begining of January and between the staff and local clients being told I got a lot of emails and phone calls wishing me luck.
A few days after returning in January my boss approached me and asked me to visit a new client the following Monday for a days consultancy. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I was going to be the first face, apart from the sales people, that the client would see. I've now been fulltime for quite a few years and have been far busier than when I was presenting as male.
Your company seem to be going way above what is legally required, which sounds to be a good start. I wish you well in your transition.
Hugs
Karen
Thanks
Encouragement (& success stories) help. :-) Of course, only time will tell.
LOL - one advantage of changing to a less customer facing division would be less cost (on start-up wardrobe)... Professional attire costs more than casual - in my experience. LOL
Thanks,
Anne
Let's kick Mass in the ____
Massachusetts will soon have Democrats controlling the House,Senate, and the Governors seat.I'm from Mass originally and it frustrates me to no end that as liberal as Mass is supposed to be they don't have trans protections in place and they only amend your birth certificate.Mass isn't going to get anymore blue so lets put some serious pressure on them to pass Trans protections and other Trans related issues.That pressure should also be placed on our supposed LGB friends there that have forgotten us.
I dunno...
It sounds to me like it would be easier to come out at work than at home! I can't see your company firing you for coming out no matter what the policy in the home state is. It sounds like any discrimination would be frowned upon.
While I'm not working currently, I'm sure people would give me a great deal of problems were I to go back to the jobs I had before my medical problems. I was a long haul truck driver, then a Truck stop Manager. Both of these are far to public to support a transition (funny, when I had my amputations, they said there was no way to work around my physical limitations, either).
I think you should thank whastever deity or whatever you can!
Wren
Don't bet on that...
There was a support group in the area for a little while - and one of the girls had transitioned on the job. She had problems only once, and the guy that made the problems ended up almost losing HIS job.
We never know, do we... Until it happens.
As to transitioning at HOME - I'm all but full time in the house. It's not home, so much as "community" that may/may not be issues. Time will tell.
As to thanking, I thank anyone and everyone I can think of.
Anne