Each week, Dr Kirstin Ferguson tackles questions on the workplace, career and leadership in her advice column “ Got a Minute? ” This week: protecting employees from transphobic customers, an ignored internal job application and a lunch situation that’s breaking the law. Protecting staff from any form of discrimination should always be a priority. Credit: Dionne Gain We have several openly trans women who work in our retail stores.
They are beautifully presented, great retail associates and excellent employees. Despite this, we have recently received numerous customer complaints about these staff members (who often work on the same shift), in which the customers misgender the women or use transphobic language. How can we support our staff members and also address the complaints? Loading The most important thing for you to do is support your team members.
Transgender retail workers already face frequent customer abuse, and you have a positive duty to do all you can to stop it. I am going to make the hopeful assumption that a customer who would speak about one of your employees in such a denigrating way is not a customer you value keeping. So your response needs to be swift and firm and focused on reminding your staff they are perfect just as they are, they are wonderful employees who are valued and supported, and their wellbeing is your priority.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has a range of helpful resources for ways you can support your tran.
