Employers 'should help' with staff sex changes

Last updated 23:32 26/09/2008

NATALIE SLADE/The Dominion Post

SUPPORTING GUIDELINES: Claudia McKay says transgenders still face problems.

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Employers with transgender staff should assist them as they change sex, proposed Labour Department guidelines say.

Such assistance would include helping them to decide which toilets to use and ensuring the person's new name was used.

The draft plan says employers should meet an employee intending to change sex and establish a "written action plan" to ensure their workplace transition was smooth.

Employees needed to feel welcome and should be encouraged to use facilities applicable to their new identity.

"While a unisex toilet is a positive way to ensure facilities are inclusive, you should not be excluded from using the appropriate single-sex toilet."

The fact sheet also says employers should not refer to a transgender's previous name when supplying a reference.

"A trans person's gender identity is something that is private and intensely personal ... is not a lifestyle choice, it is simply a part of who they are."

Agender New Zealand president Joanne Clarke, whose organisation supports transgender people and their families, said there were probably about 4000 transgender people in New Zealand.

"People get hung up on the whole gender thing. People don't think with their genitals. If you have it removed it does not make you thick," Ms Clarke said.

The case of Sarah Lurajud, a Christchurch police officer who made the transition three years ago, was an example of how attitudes with organisations could quickly change, Ms Clarke said.

"The police were incredibly supportive. In the past they would have made it impossible ... It really changed the culture of the police. They used to be very blokey."

Wellington property manager Claudia McKay said society was more accepting of transgenders than when she made the switch 12 years ago, but prejudice still existed.

Though she had not encountered any real difficulties at work, many were subject to workplace harassment and bullying.

"There are all sorts of problems, up to and including physical threats. It comes down to the management dealing with things properly."

Having guidelines and standards would benefit employers and their staff, she said.

"There would be a tiny per cent [of employers] who have come across [transgender employees] before ... and don't know how to deal with it."

The department said the guidelines were intended to set clear standards for managers and business owners so as to prevent conflict and discrimination. "The idea is pre-emptive to ensure there are not any messy situations," a spokesman said.

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Public comment on the guidelines closes on Tuesday. To date the department had received only two submissions, both of them in favour.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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5 comments

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Hils #5 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

For god's sake, Impressed pull your head in, what did labour have to do with this? Do you not think it was the transgender political member that brought this to our attention, not Helen Clarke and as mentioned by Ian Ms Clarke has never even worked in the "real" world. Who are you to say that John Key wouldn't know how to hande a situation has he had the opportunitiy to do so? Ms Clarke's time has been a gone - she runs the government on lies and deception and look where it has got her.

Robert P Woodhouse #4 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

New Zealand is going to "hell in a handbasket" and comments from "Impressed" only accelerates the process. If someone wants to have a sex change then they are on their own. Don't waste valuable tax dollars on nutters. I respect minorities, but when we are falling apart under Labour's reign, let's prioritise our focus.

Alastair #3 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

What on earth? Is this PC gone mad? the sooner sooner Helen and her funny ladies are gone the better

Ian #2 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

What utter garbage being expressed by "Impressed" above! John Key has ALL the attributes required to recognise the importance of understanding and respecting New Zealanders.

Unlike 'Grand-aunty' Helen Clark, John Key has experienced employment in the REAL world. Clark has had a so-called 'working' lifetime of hiding under the protective cloak of university, and then being guided into various Government sinecures where the meaning of 'real work' is completely unknown. It will refreshing to have a new Prime Minister in John Key who has had the benefit of learning how to work hard for his own future, and will be able to direct these attributes toward the benefits of all Kiwi's.

Impressed #1 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

This is awesome ??? LABOUR is so in touch with needs that they even understand the detail of such important issues.

It IS VERY IMPORTANT to New ZEALAND that we Kiwis remember that we are all part of the team and cannot discriminate or admire one team member more or less than any other.

I agree that this example and beautiful picture is what New Zealand is about and speaks volumes to the rest of the world and will encourage foreign investors to consider New Zealand as their next business location as team players that take responsibility for their actions and will create a space for others even if they have some issues that may not be deemed an every day occurrence or for that matter how Kiwis open their arms to skilled workers settling here from overseas.

Tall poppy syndrome can be seen as a negative issue as well without an integral understanding of what role it has to play within New Zealand culture and will contribute to assisting the feelings of such an example described in this article.

These are shining examples of why anyone considering moving to Australia should re-think their reasons. Can you imagine how such a situation would be handled at your workplace by Aussies?

On a local note I certainly do not believe that John Key would see the importance of such surveys and show such respect and understanding for the absolute minority. These are the reasons that we should continue to vote for Helen Clark as this is policy where Labour has spent well-earned taxes on a good for the nation policy. Well done labour you make me proud and continue to put New Zealand on the global map.

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