Yesterday, leading Irish companies met at the “Creating Transgender Inclusive Workplaces” seminar to discuss how they can support transgender employees in their workplaces.

The seminar, which was jointly organised by GLEN and TENI, comes after TENI’s recent ‘Speaking from the Margins’ report that showed 43% of trans people had experienced problems at work as a result of their trans identity.

Broden Giambrone, Chief Executive of TENI, said, “This seminar is a wonderful opportunity to show the ways in which employers can bring about positive change. The workplace can be, and is, a hugely difficult place for trans people.

“Inclusion often fails to fully acknowledge the reality of trans experiences or trans identities, so this is a great opportunity for employers to be truly inclusive. By taking positive steps, employers can create positive and inclusive work environments that benefit their entire workforce,” he added.

Also speaking at the seminar, Sara Phillips of Tremco Illbruck, talked about her experience being trans in her workplace. She said, “The fact that Tremco took a positive, respectful and authoritative view to my transition was, without a doubt, intrinsically linked to the successful outcome.”

She continued, “Diversity can bring benefits. Clients understand that if a company treats its employees properly, It will treat its clients properly also.”