The Government Equalities Office has published guidance for employers on the recruitment and retention of transgender staff, recognising that there is often a lack of awareness and understanding in relation to gender identity which can result in employers failing to support staff effectively.
This guidance provides practical suggestions for employers including suggestions that application forms include an ‘other’ option when seeking information on gender, that company policies demonstrate an intolerance to transphobia and that information in relation to previous names and transgender status is stored confidentially.
The guidance recognises that only a small proportion of the population is trans and, as such, employers may never have needed to consider these issues. However, the suggestions made are not complex and it would be sensible for employers to review this guidance and adapt their processes for recruitment and retention to improve business practices in this regard.