My Career

 Air Force  *  Space Shuttle Program  *  ISS Program

Constellation Program  *  J-2X / Ares I/V Vehicles

PWR Events  * ATK

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

When beginning a search for a job or career, please do the research about the various companies that are GLBT friendly, especially those companies that are listed on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index.  I would encourage you to use the information here as a tool to aid you in finding the right company for your specific career field.

I have found that companies I worked for may have been GLBT friendly, however, when it came to transgender individuals, there are still numerous exclusions to appropriate health care that may be a part of your medical benefits.

I really enjoyed my career while in the US Air Force, as a contractor to NASA, and to working in the Advanced Weapons Division at Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK). While I did not come out while in the Air Force, I found that coming out to co-workers is very difficult and emotionally stressful. If it is correctly done, it just may help those around you to understand your need to be the real you.

When I was at Jacobs Technology, Inc. (ESCG), I approached my manager in private to discuss with him about my gender issues. While at the time he was okay with it, he advised that I discuss this with the Human Resource Manager and their staff. As it took several weeks to have each of them take the proper steps, I had my counselor come to the office and meet with my supervisor and the individuals in management to discuss the changes that I will be undergoing.

Prior to arriving at work on a Monday as "Charlene" the human resource management, along with my supervisor, had set up a diversity day in training for my office, as well as those customers that I associated with. During the meeting, I was asked to come forward to share with my colleagues about my decision to begin the process of becoming a woman. As I finished sharing with them about my transition and what it meant to me, there was a long period of silence from everyone in the room. As people thought about what this meant, several co-workers told me that they would not have a problem, but needed time to understand my need to be a woman.

When that next Monday morning arrived, I was extremely nervous walking in the door with a dress on and fully made up. I can remember as I walked in the door, I tried to prepare myself as to the stares, looks, and comments that I would probably face. Needless to say, that first day as Charlene was not a very productive day at work. Individuals all over the company came to my office area to get a good look at me. Immediately, several women colleagues went to the human resources to file a complaint as to which bathroom I would use now as a woman. It went downhill after 15 minutes on the job as Charlene.

As the week passed, I was told to ask for a female escort to clear out a women's restroom on the fifth floor of the office... my office was on the first floor. Needless to say many women became very hostile to me when they found out that these arrangements were made.

During my second week, I began to be called into my supervisor's office more and more about the distraction my transition had on other employees that worked there. After a few minutes with him, he made some irreverent comments how I would never get any promotions and his disapproval for coming to work dressed as a woman.  After that meeting, I decided that my job was in jeopardy... and that the inevitable was going to happen... I was going to either be fired or forced to quit... I was forced to quit my job.

When I was hired at Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and then ATK, it was somewhat easier, however, after a year and six months I was again forced to resign my position due to sexual harassment from co-workers and management.

The one thing I had to learn the hard way was just come to work, do your job to the best of your ability, and go home without too much fanfare... When others found out about my transition, it created a very hostile work environment, which resulted in being fired or forced into a reduction in force.

Currently, I have been unemployed for over a year now... I hope that the next position I obtain will be a very professional work environment for myself and other GLBT employees.

Good luck in your search for work!!! Just be the "real" you in all situations!

I hope that during your search for the right position for you, that you will use the following resources to assist you in a successful job.

Love,
Charlene

Employment Issues:

1. Helpful Guidelines in the Workplace:  (Excerpt taken from HRC)

Some transgender people who wish to disclose this truth about themselves to others have reached a breaking point in their lives where it's too difficult to hide who they are any longer. Transgender people often feel compelled to share who they are in order to build stronger and more authentic relationships with those closest to them. This is particularly true at school and at work, where we consistently spend a majority of our waking lives with certain other people.

While there are benefits, there can also be serious risks and consequences involved. The decision is yours and yours alone.  It's important to weigh both risks and rewards before making a choice to tell others.

Some benefits of disclosure:

• Living an authentic and whole life
• Reducing the stress of hiding our identity
• Being more productive at work
• Developing closer, more genuine relationships with colleagues, customers and clients
• Building self-esteem from being known for who we really are
• Having authentic and open friendships with other transgender people
• Becoming a role model for others

Some risks/consequences of coming out:

• Not everyone will be understanding or accepting
• Family, friends and co-workers may be shocked, confused or even hostile
• Some relationships may permanently change
• You may experience harassment, discrimination or violence
• You may lose your job

Remember, there's no right or wrong way to disclose being transgender or to live openly.  It may not mean you have to be out at all times or in all places.  You have the right and the responsibility to decide how, where, when and even whether to share your identity with others, based on what's right for you.

2. Disclosing Before, During or After Job Interviews:

There is no "correct" way to approach disclosing your identity to a potential employer - and, more importantly, you should not have to.

If you have already disclosed or transitioned at work or school, you may not have much choice about if or when to share your identity with a prospective employer. In addition to reference and background checks, employers increasingly use Internet searches to screen candidates; perhaps even in jurisdictions with legal protections against discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression or personal appearance.

Furthermore, employers may ask for your gender and/or sex as part of the application or onboarding process (for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reporting purposes), health insurance purposes and other government records before or shortly after your first day at work - when many employees are considered on "probation" or "trial" periods and the employer reserves additional rights to dismiss the new employee.

If you are applying for jobs, use your best judgment and do your research to see whether the employer has protections against gender identity or expression discrimination - look on the internet, use your connections to find someone who works at the organization, or connect with the organization's LGBT employee group, if there is one.

If you feel compelled to disclose your identity with a new or potential employer, consider approaching a qualified HR representative that is HIPAA certified and preface your conversation that you are about to share confidential health information.

For more information, please use these links as valuable resources for you and your perspective company.

Human Rights Campaign at http://www.hrc.org/.

Corporate Equality Index: Rating American Workplaces on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality

Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace, 2nd Edition