37. What Happens When A Trans Employee Comes Out... And You're The Manager
What happens when a trans or non-binary employee comes out at work and their manager suddenly becomes the person everyone looks to for guidance?
It’s a moment that can bring care, confusion, and pressure all at once. Many managers want to be supportive but don’t know where to start, and without a clear plan, that uncertainty can turn into silence or missteps.
In this episode, we explore what real support looks like when an employee comes out as transgender. How can managers respond with empathy instead of panic? How can they create a safe, inclusive workplace where gender diversity isn’t just acknowledged - it’s respected and celebrated?
We dive into what to say in that first conversation, how to plan each step together, and why education - not perfection - is what truly builds trust. Along the way, we talk about timelines, communication, travel, and the systemic changes that make transgender inclusion possible at work.
Perfect for: managers, HR leaders, DEI practitioners, and anyone passionate about gender diversity in the workplace and inclusive leadership.
(From TransFocus Consulting’s podcast on transgender inclusion, allyship, and building more equitable workplaces.)
__________
We want your feedback! Got some ideas about how we can improve the podcast?! We’ve made a short, painless survey to find out what you think, what you want more of... and what topics you'd love to hear us cover next. Let us know your thoughts here
___________
Want to get in touch? Contact us at podcast@transfocus.ca
Join us on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok | Threads | Facebook