Why is trans-inclusion training so important within the workplace? And, where are the current gaps in training?
In our latest podcast, Bill Banham talks with Katie Neeves, Trans Ambassador at Cool2BTrans. She talks about why trans inclusion is so important and inclusion training is needed in the workplace.
Katie is a woman on a mission – but, she says, “not just any woman and not just any mission!”
Katie says she “lived for 48 years as a man while struggling with her gender and hiding her big secret to the world“. She was thrown into turmoil when her gender dysphoria increased dramatically, causing her to go on a voyage of discovery before “finally admitting to herself” that she is a transgender woman and that she needed to change her body.
She then came out very publicly via a coming-out video which she posted on her social media and sent to all the clients of her photography and video business, risking her livelihood and reputation in the process.
Why is ‘trans inclusion’ training needed?
Trans people are about 40 years behind lesbian and gay people, Katie says. Although they have come a long way, there is still a long way to go. However, Katie says that the internet has helped to speed the pace of this up, as there is much more information being spread widely on this topic.
Trans inclusion straining is “absolutely essential” at work, says Katie.
There was a survey recently done by Crossland Employment Solicitors which shows that transphobia is rife among UK employers. A staggering one in three employers admitted they would not hire a trans person.
“HOWEVER, I AM SHOCKED THAT THE RATIO ISN’T EVEN HIGHER!”
– Katie Neeves
Katie explains that she believes the ratio is so high because the topic is too hot to handle, and people do not want to say the wrong thing.
Also, recorded trasns-hate crime has increased by 56 percent in the last year, and 320 percent in the last five years. Whilst this is a high statistic, it is also important to remember that it is only a tiny proportion of hate crimes that are actually reported!
If you take into consideration the non-recorded hate crimes, the real figure of hate crimes in the last year means it has gone up by over 7,000 percent.
So, this is why it is essential to have trans inclusion at work.
How can this change?
Katie explains that most people have not met trans people, or even heard stories about their lives.
Meeting and speaking to trans people would really help, Katie says. When she does trans-awareness training, people are often nervous about talking to her initially, as they are worrying about saying the wrong thing.
“WE DEFINITELY NEED A LOT MORE OF IT IN THE WORKPLACE.”
– Katie Neeves
Katie stresses that it is better to get things wrong, than to never try at all.
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Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
