Customer Reviews

Transsexual Workers: An Employer's Guide

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As an FtM transitioning in a workplace of reasonable humans beings, I bought this book looking for something to help them out when I transitioned. When I got it, my supervisor and I looked it over and decided that it, in fact, would make people too nervous, more than they would be otherwise -- bringing up anxiety about restrooms (there's a lot of talk about restrooms), giving permission for coworkers to express inappropriate behavior and ask rude questions, etc.

We decided not to use it, as the trans person then becomes some mystical beast who experiences all sorts of horrible internal conflicts, rather than a mature person who made a choice with his life and wants to be treated just like all the other workers.

I think I owe my seamless transition to the fact that I was _me_ throughout the process and not a pathologized idea of a transsexual. My coworkers and employers know me, understand transitioning as mature choice I made, and respect me as a contributor to the organization. Not as someone, as Walworth suggests, to be pitied and understood and sympathized with.

In all, I found that this book undermined both the transsexual's dignity but also underestimated the coworkers' respect good workers. It was also very MtF-centric. (Restrooms are decidedly less of a big deal to the FtM.)

I am a transgendered employee at a large corporation. My manager found this book extremely helpful in assisting me with my transition at work. In particular it is accessible to people unfamiliar with gender issues without being dry or long-winded. Its employer perspective is especially helpful.

This is a great book about transsexual issues that answers not only the many queries an employer might have, but also the everyday questions on the subject of transgenderism (e.g. How does a person know that he/she is a transsexual? What is the difference between transsexuals and transvestites? What effect do hormone treatments have? What is electrolysis?). The answers given by the expert Janis Walworth are written so that everybody should be able to understand them. They are precise and to the point, and the reader doesn't have to have a PhD in transgenderism to gain some understanding of this complex issue. The way the book is structured makes it a very enjoyable read, allowing insight into a generally little-known area of life. I can heartily recommend this book to all readers. It shows that in sex/gender, like most human characteristics, there is not simply "black and white" and allows those in the shaded in-between zone to become part of our lives for a moment.

This book has a major case of TMI, goes off on political tangents, and comes off as being very unprofessional. I mean, really! Made-up stories "illustrating" fictional trans-people's experiences with coming out in the workplace? Can't she find some real-world (read: relevant) examples? And some of the tangential discussion of MtFs suffering abuse as children for not being masculine enough, or of them spinning off second personalities as a result of their GID would, frankly, just scare off a lot of employers. Don't waste your time and money on this book.

It might be a good book for someone who is just looking into transition, and wants more info for themselves, but it is entirely inappropriate for the workplace. Instead, I recommend looking at "Transgender Workplace Diversity" by Jillian Weiss.

Of all the books written on transsexualism, few have dealt at all with workplace issues. Ironically, this is probably one of the most important issues since transsexuals, like everyone else, spend a lot of time at work.

This book offers long overdue assistance for both employers and employees who have to grapple with the issues of a person "in transition" in the workplace. It provides level-headed advice for all parties involved.

This is a book I can recommend to our counselors, job developers and employers alike to increase awareness, understanding, and more comfort around issues which may be very new to many people.

The resource guide in the back is excellent for going more indepth with various issues.

I am a MTF trannsexual employee and I am in the process of transitioning at work. I put together a package of information for the HR dept and my boss. All involved have taken the time to read the material, including this book and the coworker's guide. All have said that the approach I've used will help things go smoothly.

They also stated that they were really pleased I had included the books with the package. I believe that it helped ease past the restroom issue, which was taken care of in one day.

Today TS employees have much difiiculties in transition on the job in Japan.This book teaches us a positive aspect of TS as a employee.And this book also shows the employer how to solve the problem very practically.I hope many Japanese employer will read this bookand more TS employees can do transition on the job in our country.