Employment can be difficult to navigate for trans people. We have to consider whether we want to be out at work (if we have that choice), whether we have documentation that matches our genders and think about concerns around discrimination and safety.
The EHRC’s Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations has also caused much confusion since the draft was first shared in May 2026. The code only applies to employers that provide services to customers, in relation to those services. However, many employers have already made changes affecting employees such as ‘single sex’ toilet policies. This has left many trans people potentially outed, scared, unsafe and discriminated against in their workplaces.
Transphobia in the workplace
The Trans Lives 2025 report found that 49% of respondents had experienced transphobia from colleagues. Since the EHRC draft we have heard many reports of transphobia in workplaces.
“At best I feel that it is impossible to progress. At worse I am actively avoided and my value played down. There have been multiple attempts to get rid of me” – University Teacher, England
Transphobia in the workplace can range from overt attempts to oust trans people from the organisation to creating hostile and othering environments.
“I feel othered and unwelcome. I worried about the future.” – Machine Operator, Scotland
It can also include colleagues complaining about sharing spaces with trans colleagues.
“I have been asked to use the disabled toilets after someone raised a complaint about me using the womens, which I have done for the last ten years through multiple team and management changes.” – Software engineer, England
‘Outing’
Another concern in the workplace is being ‘outed’. Trans people have the right to choose when we share our transness with others and many choose not to be ‘out’ at work or only tell trusted coworkers. ‘Outing’ can happen in multiple ways, such as personal information being shared unnecessarily.
“A member of admin staff who knew my previous name and gender outed me to a new member of staff. I felt my private life was not respected and felt vulnerable that people who shouldn’t have access to that information did so without my consent.” – Optometrist, England
Employers asking trans employees to change the toilets they use could also potentially ‘out’ someone. The fear of this happening has taken a huge toll on trans employees.
“It has made me scared to continue working in the UK. I am making plans to flee the country.” – Research scientist, England
Not working in-person
Many trans people no longer feel comfortable, safe or welcome in their workplaces.
“It’s made me nervous to visit the office.” – Data engineer, Wales
This has resulted in many people requesting to work entirely remotely due to safety concerns and the mental toll it has taken.
“I felt very anxious. I am lucky that I am in a job where I can work from home and I found myself working from home more often. It just saves the hassle of having to feel anxious going to the toilet.” – Psychologist, UK
Not everyone has the option to work remotely and those that do may feel isolated and miss out on social aspects of working in person.
All of these experiences paint a worrying picture. Confusing guidance is trickling down into real workplace policies, leaving trans people to figure out toilets, disclosure and safety concerns. There is also inconsistency between workplaces with some people having supportive managers and teams while others do not. Some people retreat to remote working, but this is a workaround rather than a fix and comes with drawbacks.
Trans people deserve better from their employers. We need genuine commitment to inclusion, supported by concrete policies and training that safeguards the rights and wellbeing of trans people at work. Collecting data helps us understand the situation for trans people in work and looking for work- that’s why we are running the Trans Lives Survey 2025.
For more information on workplace rights check out out our Your Rights in the Workplace resource: https://transactual.org.uk/law/workplaces/