DESCRIPTION
Is Your Organization in Compliance with New Transgender Regulations? You May be at Risk for Violations! Recent polls and studies indicate that 10 million Americans identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (“LGBT”), and 1.4 million Americans identify as transgender. American society’s acceptance of LGBT status has more than doubled in the last 30 years, and in 2016, Gallup polls found that 68% of American adults accept same-sex relationships. Local and state laws around the country protect workers from employment discrimination, and some courts have interpreted federal anti-discrimination law to offer similar protection. Workplace diversity initiatives include efforts to welcome and support LGBT individuals. Sexual orientation and transgender status remain sensitive and uncomfortable topics for some, however, and employers and employees may struggle to manage these issues.
This presentation reviews the employment laws that relate to LGBT workers, with a focus on transgender protections and identifies emerging and unresolved issues, and provides practical pointers for employers concerned with compliance, inclusion, and creation of a respectful workplace environment. Employers have been concerned with how to comply with transgender best practices and in some states, regulations with fines and penalties. Employers should update their employee handbooks and policies to accommodate there ever emerging changes in the workplace or risk penalties and even criminal sanctions.
Learning Objectives:
- Federal, state and local regulations now add transgender protections as part of their regulations and guidance
- Demographics and societal acceptance of LGBT workers.
- Local, state, and federal laws related to sexual orientation and transgender status in the workplace.
- How can Employers partner with HR professionals to create a safe workplace for transgender employees?
- Learn what the correct definitions are for transgender and not violate best practices or policies
- What changes have to be updated to Employee Handbooks and corporate
- Current issues in the development of the law
- How can Employers follow the OSHA guidelines for restroom safety for transgender employees?
- Title VII interpretations & EEOC Guidance for Employers
- “Public Accommodation”
- More states with Mandated Regulations prepare in 2019
Area Covered in this session:
- Overview of the impact of transgender employees in the workplace
- Impact of Employers working in employee-centric (pro-employee support) states
- How do we handle employee concerns of transgender employees in the workplace?
- How do the current concerns integrate or challenge the current discrimination regulations of transgender employees?
- What states have transgender protections?
- What regulatory agencies protect transgender employees?
- How can Employers mitigate transgender regulations?
- Workplace culture issues are affecting LGBT workers.
- The role of education and training; What states have mandatory compliance requirements and training?
- How do Employers respond to employees who transition?
- What regulations are required to accommodate transgender employees?
- What are the penalties tied to a violation of transgender regulations?
- What policies must be in place to mitigate transgender requirements?
- What penalties are in place for violations of protected classes?
- What else should Employers be prepared to effectively conduct their business?
Who Will Benefit:
- HR professionals
- Managers/Supervisors
- Compliance professionals
- Company Leadership
- Small business owners
- All Employers
- Anyone wanting to learn how to manage transgender issues in the workplace
