Transgender

Transgender Equality Policy Statement for students and staff

 

Transitioning at Work - Guidance for managers and colleagues 

1. Dress Codes and Use of Facilities
2. Changes to name records for members of staff
3. Terminology and vocabulary
4. Conduct and Communication
5. What to do as a manager?
6. A transitioning employee may wish to consider
7. Glossary

1. Dress Codes and Use of Facilities:

Aberystwyth University does not insist on any particular dress for its employees or students, except where there are health and safety or security concerns, or where a job or placement requires a uniform or protective clothing to be worn. 

The line manager must discuss with the member of staff when they wish to start dressing and presenting themselves in their affirmed gender and whether this will be a phased process. The manager or HR Business Partner should make the person aware of the University dress code (as outlined above) and if the individual feels that this will hinder their presentation during or after transition in some way then the individual's line manager will, with the aim of finding a satisfactory compromise, sympathetically consider the issue consistent with the objectives of this policy.

Use of Facilities:

As soon as a staff member is living in a gender role permanently even if they have not undergone or do not intend to undergo medical or surgical procedures, they are entitled to have access to the facilities of their affirmed gender. This includes toilets and changing rooms.

Under no circumstances should the staff member be asked or instructed to use accessible toilets or the toilet of the sex they were assigned at birth. Unless, they would like to or must use this toilet for accessibility reasons.

At Aberystwyth University we also have some gender neutral toilets at various locations around the campus. These may be used by anybody, and transgender people may choose to use them, but they must not be re-directed to them.

We have a commitment to introducing gender neutral facilities each time a building is refurbished or when we build a new building. 

2. Changes to name records for members of staff at Aberystwyth University

If an individual wants to be known by a different name on the Pobl Aber People HR system, then they can do this at any time. There is no legal procedure to follow in order to add a new 'known as' name.

Many people who change their gender identity do decide to change their given name. The University will update its records when individuals provide evidence of a formal process to change their given name; this can be done by Deed Poll, which is offered free or at low cost by various online companies. An alternative way to change one’s given name is to make a Statutory Declaration.

Staff should contact the HR team on Ext 8555 or email thr@aber.ac.uk if they have any queries in relation to updating their details on the PoblAberPeople HR system

An individual may also ask colleagues to use a different name informally, before making a formal request to add this name to their records. Colleagues should be respectful of such a request and ensure that going forward this name is used when referring to the individual.

An individual who is transitioning can update any photographs on their University cards and on University webpages through contacting is@aber.ac.uk . An individual who is transitioning may wish to make several changes as their physical appearance changes over time. They can do this through contacting the Information Services team on is@aber.ac.uk – if they want support in doing this, they can contact the Equalities Officer for further guidance at equality@aber.ac.uk. It is worth noting however that the University will only provide one University staff card at a time.

Where possible, information relating to a staff member’s previous identity that needs to be retained, such as copies of qualification certificates, will be kept confidentially within their staff record file. Please see here for how your personal information is kept. 

3. Terminology and vocabulary

The words we use can have a huge impact on others. While a change in terminology may seem trivial to us, using problematic language could indicate a lack of support or could perpetuate harmful stereotypes, as such we have included some guidance as to the use of language regarding transgender people.

• Once a trans person has made known their chosen name, this name should be used in all circumstances, rather than their birth name. It is never appropriate to put quotation marks around either the trans person’s chosen name or the pronoun that reflects their gender identity.
• A person who identifies as a certain gender, whether or not they have taken hormones or had surgery, should be referred to using the pronoun (he, she or they) appropriate for that gender. If you are not sure what the correct pronoun is, ask the person what pronouns they use.

• While many people do identify within the gender binary (male or female) many people do not. This is not a new phenomena and has a long history in various cultures. In the UK many people who identify as having a non-binary gender will use the singular they as a gender neutral pronoun. While to some ears this may sound grammatically incorrect, the use of the singular they has a long history in English and should be considered just as valid as the traditional binary pronouns. As in all other cases, use of the pronoun that a person states best reflects their identity is considered respectful, and the use of other pronouns would be disrespectful.
• It is not appropriate to use the terms ‘sex change’ or ‘pre-/post-operative’. These imply that the process of transition must involve some form of surgery, which may not necessarily be the case.

• The word transgender, often shortened to trans, is an adjective. It can be considered rude or ignorant to use it as a noun (as in: “is he a transgender”) or as a verb ( “they were transgendered”). For example a group may be described as a group of transgender people, but should not be referred to as “a group of transgenders”
• If you would not consider it appropriate to ask a cisgender (non-transgender) colleague about their genitals or other elements of their reproductive system, it is most likely not appropriate to ask the same of a transgender colleague. Similarly unsolicited questions about surgeries may also be inappropriate.

4. Conduct and Communication:

In addition to the vocabulary we use, the substance of what we say and how we treat eachother is also important.

• Revealing to others that someone is transgender without their permission is referred to as “outing” them. Doing this is not only disrespectful, but could endanger a person if they are not in a situation where it is safe for them to tell people that they are transgender. Staff should avoid disclosing to other that a colleague is trans, unless the trans person in question has specifically requested that they tell others.
• A trans person may want to tell their colleagues or fellow students about their transition individually. The individual should be free to choose whether they make an announcement themselves or not.

• A trans person should have access to ‘men-only’ and ‘women-only’ areas – such as changing rooms and toilets – according to the gender in which they present. This may mean that a person changes the facilities they use at the point when they transition.
• It is good practice to allow enough flexibility so that any dress codes do not reinforce binary gender choice or gender stereotypes. Dress codes that set out very specific and different requirements for men and women may create practical difficulties for some trans people.

• Bullying, harassment and discrimination are unlawful and will not be tolerated. Our policies protect the rights of trans people to dignity at work and in their studies.
• While refraining from harmful conduct is necessary, it may not be enough to simply not actively cause problems. When possible we should seek to be allies to our colleagues to make things better for each other. For example In addition to using the correct pronouns for someone, it can, with their permission, be a good idea to challenge or correct others if they use the wrong pronouns. This can use useful as it may be taxing or an unwanted confrontation for a transgender person to do this, and helping them in this way can be a practical demonstration of solidarity.

5. What you to do as a manager?

If you are approached by an employee who is planning to transition, is transitioning or has transitioned you need to be able to:

• listen and show support to the employee
• adopt an approach that meets the requirements of the employee
• understand the employee could have a range of different experiences or objectives that they may want to discuss
• understand each employee is unique and will have their own specific timeframe / pace in which they may be planning to transition, are transitioning or have transitioned
• discuss with the employee who needs to be informed at the different stages of the transition process at work.
• discuss whether or not the employee is planning medical interventions and whether they will need any time off for appointments and/ or surgery
• agree with the employee what steps need to be taken before, during and after their transition. This can be done through developing an agreement or action plan
• agree suitable dates, times and frequency for review meetings with the employee as part of any action plan or agreement
• obtain advice from HR, or the LGBT+ network as appropriate.

6. A transitioning employee may wish to consider the following:

• Think of an approach that will meet your requirements
• Think of the timeframe and pace in which you may be planning to transition
• Consider whether you will need any time off for appointments etc
• Consider any steps that may need to be taken before, during and after your transition. This could be done through developing an agreement or action plan with your manager
• Consider suitable dates, times and frequency for review meetings with your manager as part of any action plan or agreement
• How might you want your departmental colleagues, others you work with at the university, and/or your students, to learn about your transition? Would you like to begin informing people you work most closely with via individual conversations? Is sending an email a helpful element of the communication? Do you want to tell colleagues in an in-person meeting? For in-person conversations or meetings, would you like your manager or Head of Department, Human Resources, a representative of the LGBT Network, and/or someone from your own support network to be present?
• When do you want changes to internal systems and documents to take effect?
• Will you need to make changes to any equipment, e.g. door signs, name badges, photographs.
• Obtain advice from HR, or the LGBT+ network as appropriate.

Glossary:

(Thanks to Gendered Intelligence / Government Equalities Office)

Terms and language regarding transgender people and transgender issues are evolving rapidly and many terms may mean different things to different people. The definitions given here are the common, but not universal, understandings of these terms. 

How to be Gender Neutral/Inclusive:

Best practice is to ask what pronouns people want to use and what they use themselves. 

Many meetings have this as part of an introduction round, e.g 'Hi I’m Debra Croft, Director of Equality for Aberystwyth University. I use Dr or Ms and they or she as a pronoun.'

SENTENCE PART	GENDERED EXAMPLE	NON-GENDERED EXAMPLE	Also in use (written / international – e.g. journals)
SUBJECT	She / He laughed at the idea of running a marathon	They laughed at the idea of running a marathon	Zie Per Xe
OBJECT	They tried to convince her / him that asexuality doesn’t exist	They tried to convince them that asexuality doesn’t exist	Hir Per Xem
POSESSIVE	His / Her favourite colour is unknown	Their favourite colour is unknown	Hir Pers Xyr
POSSESSIVE PRONOUN	The mug is his / hers	The mug is theirs	Hirs Pers Xyrs
REFLEXIVE	The manager thinks highly of herself / himself	The manager thinks highly of  themself	Hirself Perself Xemself
TITLES	Miss, Mrs, Ms, Mr	Mx Mx