Trans Day of Remembrance
Helping to make work fair and equal – trans day of remembrance
Good work is built on the foundations of trade union volunteers and representatives. We’ve seen this most clearly during the COVID crisis. Everyday thousands of workplace representatives have been working to support, help and to keep their colleagues safe. Evidence demonstrates that union representation makes work better, fairer and safer.
But we know that good work isn’t the experience that all workers have. Too many workers face barriers to getting on at work, such as discrimination. This is particularly the case for transgender workers. TUC research has shown us that almost half of trans people (48%) have experienced bullying or harassment at work. Stonewall research shows one in eight trans employees (12%) have been physically attacked by a colleague or customer in the last year, and half of trans people (51%) have hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination.
This matters to us as a trade union. If we exist to make work better, we need to represent all of our members, especially those facing physical risks or harassment.
Everyone at work should have the right to dignity and to be treated with respect, as well as feel safe in their work environment. Equality is not an optional extra when it comes to our work as a union. It is part of our DNA.
This is why events like Trans Day of Remembrance are so important. They give us an opportunity to stop and reflect on the experiences of our work colleagues. The aims of the day are to focus on experiences faced by trans people – and to think about those who have faced harm, or even lost their lives, do to prejudice, transphobia and violence.
For me, it is about reminding myself that work is different for all of us; the small things and the big things. It is about learning to become a better ally and understanding more about the stigma, discrimination and barriers that many transgender people face.
Being in a union is about bringing people together. We do that all of the time, in workplaces, across industries and in communities. Our support for equality is one vital facet of that work. We will always stand up when our members face discrimination, but we should also do the everyday things of being better colleagues to each other.
How can I help be a better ally?
The TUC has produced helpful guidance on how to be a good trans ally and show solidarity to our trans colleagues.
These are their 5 tips to remember:
1) Educate yourself – get involved, attend events and webinars, look at research conducted by Stonewall, the TUC and LGBT foundation
2) Challenge transphobia – Stand up for trans colleagues and people, don’t allow comments that are derogatory go unchallenged & ensure that you speak up even when trans people are not in the room
3) Include trans colleagues – Make an effort to ensure to ensure that trans colleagues are included in conversations & within social events.
4) Listen – Make sure you listen to trans people when they tell you their pronoun and or identity. If you make a mistake, correct it and move on. Do not dwell on your mistake, move on.
5) Respect boundaries – Do NOT ask trans people any personal questions about surgery or about their transition. This is invasive and irrelevant to their identity.
Read more from the TUC on trans-awareness.
On 20 November we mark trans day of remembrance, but let’s commit to making every working day one where every trans colleague, can feel, safe, respected and included at work.