Gender Impeded: The Lived Experiences of Transgenders at The Workplace

Abstract

This article examines the lived experiences of Malaysian transgender persons at the workplace. Drawing on focus group discussions with transgenders working in a broad range of sectors in Malaysia, we illustrate the challenges they face in relation to discrimination and lack of inclusiveness at work. Discrimination at work can take several forms. Ozereen (2014) states that it can be formal and/or interpersonal. Contrary to previous reports, we find that transgender persons are accepted in Malaysian organisations to some extent. The ‘assumption’ therefore fundamentally affects the chances of LGBT persons getting hired, as well as their chances for career progression (Mize 2016). In continuation, we find that they remain subjected to specific forms of discriminatory practices and continue to experience a climate non-inclusiveness which fundamentally impede the full expression of their chosen gender identity at the workplace. However, in the case of Malaysia, there is no recognition of transgender at the workplace as regards their chosen gender identity. Transgender remain categorised as per their gender assigned at birth. This is only to be expected since organisations operating in Malaysia are subjected to and bound by the nation’s laws and regulations. Therefore, unless the nation’s laws are amended to recognise a third gender, or in allowing individuals to change their gender, there will not be any changes in terms of gender recognition at the workplace.