I sorta came out to my HR dept.

[ShawnaLeigh]

Well I did and did not.  I wrote to the University HR department  as I am an employee.  However I am an employee to. Partnership program in which I work as a contract technician so it gets confusing on what how or who I need to inform. I wrote to ask for advice on how I should come out to the many levels of departments and management.  If there were protocols and official procedures since I.do not work for the hospitals I work at.  Etc.
In essence I did come out as my opening sentence was very direct.  
“I need advice on how to come out as MtF transgender to my upper management.”

I was nervous about that and a tad apprehensive to hit send.  It ended up being a short email but said and asked a lot.  
So I worked up my courage and sent it. 
I get a Very fast reply. 
Closed until Jan 2.  Lol

(damn it)

[TommieAnne]

Ah, bureaucracy.

Well, it may get overlooked amid the hundreds of emails to look at after they return from the holidays.

In which case you might just call if you haven't heard in a few days.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

TA

[Susan R]

2 hours ago, ShawnaLeigh said:

I wrote to ask for advice on how I should come out to the many levels of departments and management.  If there were protocols and official procedures since I.do not work for the hospitals I work at.  Etc.

Good for you Shawna for taking the next step.  It had to be done eventually I’m assuming so why not now?  I’m sure everything will go well for you...just don’t worry about it cause at this point there’s not much you can do to speed things up.

 

Best of luck to you on this,

Susan R?

 

[ToniTone]

Most employers in the US aren't allowed to discriminate against any demographic, including gender. Most universities and health care institutions (which based on your post I'm assuming is one of the fields you are in) are usually accepting and inclusive. I'm sure you're job is secure. I just hope your immediate department is a safe environment to be out to. 

 

Good for you hun! ?

 

~Toni

[Carolyn Marie]

I agree with the others, SL; I don't think you have anything to worry about.  But just the same, it takes courage to do what you just did, and I admire and respect you for that.  Best of luck!

 

HUGS

 

Carolyn Marie

[Belle]

Way to go Shawna! I would be very surprised if there were any problems for you.

[Jackie C.]

10 hours ago, ShawnaLeigh said:

Well I did and did not.  I wrote to the University HR department  as I am an employee.  However I am an employee to. Partnership program in which I work as a contract technician so it gets confusing on what how or who I need to inform. I wrote to ask for advice on how I should come out to the many levels of departments and management.  If there were protocols and official procedures since I.do not work for the hospitals I work at.  Etc.
In essence I did come out as my opening sentence was very direct.  
“I need advice on how to come out as MtF transgender to my upper management.”

I was nervous about that and a tad apprehensive to hit send.  It ended up being a short email but said and asked a lot.  
So I worked up my courage and sent it. 
I get a Very fast reply. 
Closed until Jan 2.  Lol

(damn it)

 

Well, on the plus side, you're ex-military. You're familiar with "Hurry up and wait."

 

January 2nd will be here before you know it.

 

Hugs!

[ShawnaLeigh]

I do not worried about losing my job.  With all the classes and appointments during my in processing I had to attend dealing with tolerance and LBGT when I started working for the University, I feel my job is very safe.  I almost wish they would do something illegal to fire me as I could sue to crap out of them.  LOL

Seriously though I am more worried about what the "low down and under the table" things that could happen.  I feel confident no one will openly say Boo but I am unsure who feels personally  negatively about trans folks, and I am certainly hoping not someone directly above my that can negatively effect things for me. Like getting crappy jobs, just missing promotions, etc.  Who knows what else.  Though on the other hand, I would be the only openly trans person to work "there" and it does "look good" for them to  show support and tolerance towards "my kind".  

My day to day job I work by all alone and have my own office.  I have no one I work directly with that could cause me stress or issues.  I have two offices really, one in each hospital and work closely with the directors of material management and their maintenance department techs but not "for" any of them.  I am my own boss as far as what I need to do and when it gets done.  As a matter of fact I have not seen my supervisor since last July.  LOL

All in all it is a very low stress place for someone who is coming out.  I do feel lucky and blessed about that.  If I encounter anyone that is negative then so be it.  I can assume I will eventually.  I with deal with it.

 

[ShawnaLeigh]

Just a further update on this.  I received an email reply from my HR department and the gentleman was extremely nice and reassuring.  He asked if we could speak on the phone since my email had million questions.  LOL   It was a nice long chat and he put all my fears to rest and suggested many things I had not considered.  He kept telling me "when you are ready".  He must of said this a hundred times but it did make me feel good he was looking out for me.

He reassured me of all the University policies and regulations as well as the contracts we have with outside hospitals having to adhere to our policies too.  He offered to play intermediate for me if I was just to scared to move forward with my upper management if need be but I feel informing them via letter is still my best options.  However I asked him if he would read it first to make sure I am saying or providing the right information with concerns to being professional.  He also suggested we give them resources in the letter if they have questions as they may not have experience with a transgender colleague.  

So now I need to write another letter and email my HR friend.  

I feel like I made a mile move towards my transition just with this phone call.

As many must know, telling your employer is a major step and quite scary.

So now two wins for me in 2020!

[Jackie C.]

I'm self-employed, so while my boss can be kind of a bitch, she was OK with the big reveal.

 

Fantastic response from uni-HR though, you couldn't have asked for a better response. Now you've got an ally and a road map as to how to come out to everyone else.

 

Congratulations!

 

Hugs!

[ShawnaLeigh]

57 minutes ago, Jackie C. said:

I'm self-employed, so while my boss can be kind of a bitch, she was OK with the big reveal.

I simply love you to death.  LMAO.

You make me giggle every day I swear.  Thank you so much for being you!!!!

[Jackie C.]

You'd probably find me annoying if you had to deal with me 24/7. It's a little like living with Daffy Duck.

 

As a total aside, I was talking about you with my wife and mentioned your situation. She just rolled her eyes and said, "Well, that's HER (your wife's) loss."

 

Hugs!

[ShawnaLeigh]

Kiss her for me!!!

Please tell her thank you too.  It means a lot to me.

[Belle]

This is wonderful Shawna! I'm so happy you have an advocate!

[Rachel76]

That’s great Shawna! I’m still waiting to tell my employer until later in the year! I hope it goes even slightly as well as yours!

[The Viv Element]

??Congratulations!! that was actually inspiring, knowing certain places will open their arms to you has to be the best feeling ever!