Transgender Rights in the Workplace

Every person deserves to work in an environment where they do not feel threatened, harassed, or discriminated against. Unfortunately, transgender individuals commonly face harassment, threats of violence, and hate crimes on a daily basis. This is a sad reality that is nothing new to the transgender community and as federal protections finally begin to recognize the unjust nature of laws that do not address the rights of transgender people, steps are being taken across the country to ensure a protected working environment for people of any gender identity. We at The Melton Law Firm believe any workplace discrimination is unacceptable and want to fight for your right to work in a safe space.

Precedence For Transgender Rights

If you are part of the transgender community, it is important to know what rights are yours as an employee in the workplace. Recently, several laws have set a precedent for ensuring the transgender community receives discrimination-free employment, including:

• Macy v. Holder: A landmark case in which the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled that discrimination against transgender individuals is unlawful sex discrimination, prohibited under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
• An announcement by U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, in 2014 that also classified transgender discrimination as discrimination for sex, a violation of federal employment law by the Department of Justice.
• City ordinances passed by select Texas cities like Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Dallas that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

While transgender rights are still in the process of being litigated in some corners of the country, employment discrimination against the transgender community in Austin is not tolerated. By knowing how the law can protect transgender individuals in the workplace, you can better protect yourself against unlawful treatment on the basis of your gender identity. However, as some employers still shirk over their transgender employees’ rights, the help of an employment attorney may be necessary.

Contact an Austin Employment Lawyer

Mistreatment of a group of people based on their gender identity directly violates terms set by the EEOC. If you or someone you know is being harassed because of their gender identity, or is being barred from employment because they are transgender, the legal team at The Melton Law Firm wants to fight for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Austin offices at (512) 330-0017 to discuss your case.