Ever lose a job because you were discovered?

[Julie Avery]

Anyone here ever lose a job because you were discovered as a crossdresser? I haven't, but I know that this is a major fear common to many of us. If you have, I'd be curious to hear your story. Thanks in advance.

[Helen MC]

I was in a situation 30 years ago where I was accidentally discovered wearing panties and I was treated very badly by the already rather hostile workers in that small firm. I started to look for another job as soon as I could and had about a year of misery there until I was able to leave for another employment and have always been very careful since then that nobody I work with knows that I wear women's panties far less CD at home.

I would add that the mistreatment I received was NOT from the Bosses / Managers at that place but the ordinary workers. The Bosses if guilty of anything were indifferent to what was happening. I left when I got another job but was not sacked.

[insearchofme]

No, but I would!

[LeeCD]

I wear panties, hose, camisols and sometimes bras to work under my clothes every day. Sometimes I get bold and wear something somewhat sheer or I go without socks. People just don't seem to notice or when they do, they will get that funny look on their face but won't say anything. Once, I had a secretary (I was sitting outside my bosses office waiting for a meeting and my pants slipped up my leg quite far - it was obvious that I had black hose on). She asked me if I was wearing pantyhose and I said yes...that I hated socks and couldn't wear cotten. I also mentioned that they were pantyhose made for men (which they actually were). She said that they looked great. Others have complimented me and even asked where I got them from. Of course, the tune may have been different if they could see the rest of my outfit ;) . Bottom line...don't sweat it...just wear what you want. There is no law that prohibits you from wearing lingerie.

[Jesse69]

I lost 2 jobs because I was discovered. The last one was terrible as they made fun of me at the company Xmas party. Not it's illegal to discriminate against us, but that was too late for my last job.

[Mandy Salamander]

'k,,, wasn't really "fired" nor was i "discovered",,, but was "out" for over 2 years at my previous place of employ, after having started hormone therapy,(which was discontinued for health issues),,, but after th' company was bought out, i was pushed out in less than a year,,, fortunately, all worked out for th' best, as i had accumulated a very large amount of unused sick leave and vacation time, received unemployment compensation, (i wasn't shy 'bout telling 'bout myself, 'n let th' state of ohio confront my employer 'bout it),, also, was able to earn money as an artist, 'n soooo was able t' live 24/7 completely en femme for 9 months,,,,, and was able to return to work elsewhere in a related occupation, just as soon as needed, as i am verrrry good at what i do and have an impeccable work record, but haven't yet come out there in almost 5 years,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, INCIDENTALLY!!!,,, concerning your rights 'n th' law,,, as i doooo work in th' legal field 'n closely associated with trial lawyers and th' occasional judge as well, have a bit more than passing knowledge of th' subject,,, b'fore y' get t' feelin' all protected 'n complacent 'n stuff,,,,, read and know your local laws well!!!,,, locally, tho' it is illegal to discriminate against th' transgendered, th' maximum penalty is a whopping $100 a day fine with a maximum of $1000/10 days,,, something nearly any employer can easily afford, and th' cap on civil rewards 's similarly restricted,,,,,,,,,, as well, (as i've posted b'fore) who really wants t' be on th' local 10:00 FOXnews!!! as th' "TRANSVESTITE SUES LOCAL BUSINESS",,, and any lawyer knows and will use against you,,,,,,,,,,, soo sorry

[Seven]

May I please ask what kind of work also you did, IE working with the old, children, shops, hotels, so on, I was just thinking is it also the kind of work done.

XXXXXXXXXX Seven

[Helen MC]

I'm not sure what the situation for CDs and TVs is legally here in the UK. These days we have quite strong Laws against Racial and Disability Discrimination, and Age Discrimination will soon be illegal too. Homosexuals and Lesbians are also well protected both against Employment Discrimination and from being abused both verbally and physically by other employees etc or in the street, bars, shops etc and prosecutions have taken place.

However English Law tends to be specific in what it makes an offence and what it does not and I don't think that a TV or CD who was abused or lost their job could necessarily rely on the Laws which protect Homosexuals and Lesbians. Is there an English Lawyer on this Forum, either GG or CD who may care to advise on this?

Mandy makes a very valid point. The compensation one may receive is not likely to run into a large amount of money and there will be adverse publicity both in the local media which would probably jeopardise future employment prospects and even in the national gutter press such as "The Sun". A win in Court could be a Pyrrhic victory.

[crusadergirl]

Why do u dress like a girl if ur afraid to get discovered miss ego ur so cool wow i like ur post and i like corn flakes with sugar how about u kiddo

[Helen MC]

The work I did in those days was of an Office and Clerical nature and did not involve direct contact with the public or customers.

[Leigh Davis]

This is an interesting thread, thanks for posting.

I personally know CDs that are "out" at their job and have no problem with it. At least that they say. I have also worked at a company where a known CD worked. However I never told him about me and the company never knew. I was contracted to the company so I always thought I was not on an equal level.

Where I work now no one knows and when I have thought about it I really thought it was nobody's business but between me and my wife. I don't desire to wear a skirt to work.

Although I think there wouldn't be any outward discrimination there would be the "behind the back" kind. And mentally I don't think I could handle that.

[Freo_kerry]

It may have been coincidence but after talking about my "situation" I ended up being told to resign for something totally different and of course NOT RELATED.
They just can't say why though, and the law does protect me if I want the job back. But everything has turned out good, I got a new job at nearly double the salary.


Funny point: On my first day the new boss said "We really wanted a girl, what about a dress..."
On the third day a salesman said "(my male name)is a crossdresser he can do the promotion event..." He was refering to being both Sales and support trained.

Such opportunites, but why upset the boat in my first month at the new place:) Can't wait for the office parties though.

Kerry

[Joy Carter]

I'm going to just say yes but I had my years plus age to be able to retire. I don't want to go into details but I worked for local government and I always got high marks for my work. That all changed and my co workers saw to it that I was ostrasized and that as many people as possible found out. All though my supervisor sead he was doing all he could I was thretened with violence so I left. Funny they called me a few months latter and told me that a program I had implimented was still working and that it had had made quite an impact. But it did'nt come from the higher up but from a GG co worker who supported me through the hard times. She gave me a big hug on my last day and asked if their was anything she could do, she had already done that I told her. So I landed on my feet and have a good job at a small business I'm whole again.

[lizbendalin]

well, I've had some bad experiences in these arena, but that may be because of my preferred area of work. I was outed by my ex-wife while I was in graduate school (Seminary), and was asked to end my education before they took the necessary steps to remove me. Then a few years later, I was working as a youth director at a large church, when it happened again. A (supposed) friend that both my fiance and I felt we could trust outed me to the church council. And my days as a youth director were over. You know its disappointing how people and institutions who backed you 100% and thought you were just great, can suddenly do a 180 when certain things are revealed. I could have probably fought both situations on legal grounds, but that would have meant a public court battle, and I'm not quite that ready to jump that far out of the closet into the broad daylight (at least not until I've mastered beard cover:p )

[Donna O]

Hello Everyone;

I was outed and fired for crossdressing strickly off duty. The federal court ruled in the case " Oiler vs Winn Dixie " that It was legal to fire the person. The judge basically said that " Crossdressing is just wearing a costume and Crossdressers are not protected from discrimination. ". He seemed to base it on the fact that the Congress has not put in the protection for crossdressers; gender idenity; and gender espression for the last 38 times it was introduced.:Angry3:

I would like to know when this will end. When is the congress going to have the guts to put in the protection?????

[Lawren]

I never lost a job for xdressing but I was asked not to come into a certain restaurant dressed up, (I worked there), because, "We run a family restraint here, not a side show" I was also asked to go outside on my smoke break because I smoked little cigars, not cigarettes like everyone else. It didn't upset me too much when I did lose that job. I was fired for having a bad attitude.

[Helen MC]

Donna, I am amazed and angered that you could be sacked for Cross-Dressing OFF DUTY!"

Here in the UK it is generally held that an employee's private life is their own and that their employer has little right to dictate what they do outwith of work premises and the working hours for which they are paid. Some holds do exist, for example most Contracts of Employment over here forbid the employee from working for a trade competitor of their employesr even in their own time, this is quite reasonable. Likewise if an employee commits and is found guilty of a serious crime, even if in their own time and away from work the employer can sack them if they feel their continued employment is detrimental to the business, the other employees, their customers etc. Also if an employee was representing the employer elsewhere, say at a customer's social activity and seriously misbehaved then they could sack him. There are stricter rules of course for the likes of the armed forces, the police, school teachers etc, but as far as those in ordinary occupations are concerned the employers rights over them end after work hours and away from work premises.

I am therefore puzzled Donna how you were sacked for crossdressing off duty?

[Daphne Jane]

Donna were u the truck driver I had heard about in the news? if so I thought they gave u a wrong deal I am truck driver as well and I am going to a gender therapist and going to change and if they fire me Ill get another job 0.02

[Donna O]

Hi Everyone


I know the truckdriver fired by Winn Dixie very, very, very well. He had trouble getting another job after that.


Helen MC: Employers are able to " Fire At Will " without explanation here.
It is perfectly legal to descriminate in certain cases also.

Daphne_in_satin: I know of two people who transitioned on the job then lost their jobs. They had a hard time getting another job in any field.

[AmandaM]

I didn't lose a job, but I lost all my friends, when I was 22. I told my gf about me. And she told on me. I've never been the same. Now, it's almost as though I don't want friends! :cool:

[Mandy Salamander]

"Fire at will",,, 's an interesting point, Donna,,, reading th' fine print on the back of th' standard employment application here in th' U.S.,,,"termination at any time without cause, by either party",,, seems a bit like signing away ones' rights,,, but whatcha gonna doo??? y' gotta work somewhere...

[jarts55]

Yes, they can fire you here in Kentucky for no reason at all. And I mean no reason at all. There was a woman in the office where I worked who was nice to the big boys' faces, but talked about them as soon as they walked out the door. She didn't talk about you girls only because she doesn't know you, give her time. And her own mother was her main target. I got so I couldn't stand to be around any of them. Every day I asked God to get me out of there and one day he did. They realized I didn't like them any more, so they got rid of me. I would rather work in Iraq because the people are nicer.

[Helen MC]

Thank God, and Socialism / Trade Unions, that here in the UK we have some protection from Instant Unfair Dismissal at the whim of the employer! Personally, I don't think it goes far enough and I would like us to adopt the French Model of Employees Rights but at least we have something!

As it stands after a person has been employed continuously by that Employer for 1 year they are protected. (Agency "temps" and self-employed contractors are not thus covered). To be sacked , apart from Redundancy when the company has an economic or operational need to reduce staffing levels, then an employee can only be instantly dismissed for certain defined reasons which constitute "Serious Misconduct". These would include fighting on company premises, sabotage, theft from the employer or co-workers, gross insubordination to a Supervisor or Manager, abusive speech or conduct towards another employee or a customer, sexual assault or harrasment, being drunk or drugged at work, acting in an unsafe manner or refusing to wear PPE when required for a particular job. Otherwise a proceedure of verbal, written and final written warnings has to be followed before the employee can be terminated for example for incompetance or persistant latecoming etc and options and time for improvement by the employee have to be explored.

If a company simply fires a person for other than Serious Misconduct and does not follow these proceedures then the ex-employee can take them to an Industrial Tribunal which if it finds in their favour can award compensation to be paid by the employer. If racial or sex discrimination is also proved then an additional punitive levy will be made against the employer. They can also order that the sacked employee is to be re-instated in that job but most people would not wish to return to a place which has treated them so badly and will take the money awarded instead.

The only flaw in this system is that even if successful any employee who takes an former employer to the Tribunal has the "Mark of Cain" as far as other employers are concerned. There is an organisation in the UK called the "Economic League" now called "Caprim Ltd" which keeps note of the names of those who do so and also of anyone actively to the Left of the political spectrum. Bosses, HR Departments, etc can obtain details from this body and thus a "black list" exists of people not to employee should they apply as they would be considered to be "troublemakers" or even "agitators".

However, even with its flaws we at least have SOME protection from arbitrary sacking here in the UK. No disrespect to American posters, but I would not want to be a worker in the USA.

[Joy Carter]

Too add a little more I was not fired that's because they would have had to explaine to the union. But they really made things uncomfortable for me tried to provoke an altercation then lied about it. Rather than fight and make it more known I retired. Donna I'm so sorry for your situation but you girls gotta know that even a trusted person can turn on you with devasating results. I have no need for anyone family or friend to know although this is who I really am I know I won't be accepted. My GG friend/coworker from the office who hugged me got so close that I felt she was trying to climb inside me I was really taken back by that jesture. I know it was out of love and respect I shall miss her.

[Kathleengurl]

Funny point: On my first day the new boss said "We really wanted a girl, what about a dress..."
On the third day a salesman said "(my male name)is a crossdresser he can do the promotion event..." He was refering to being both Sales and support trained.
That's where you drop a pic of you dressed (doing the same work you do now) and say.. oh .. my last job wanted a certain quality that I could bring..

Maybe the DO need a girl! maybe they need you!

[Clare]

Never sacked, never caught out. Well almost never caught out!

I worked in a small office as a clerk and during the Winter's, the owner only had the heater on enough to take the chill out of the air, but it was still coldish. So I wore my pantyhose under my drab pants and one day a female colleague was having a bit of fun with me and we basicially ended up in a hug. She felt the top of my hose (which were at waist height - above the top of my pants) and she asked me if I had pantyhose on?

Being the quick thinker, I said I was wearing footless cotton tights that I also used when horse riding. She said what a good idea since the boss was too cheap to turn up the heating. Whew!

I think over the years that many have suspected, but never was anything said to me by those in authority.

[Jesse69]

My temp to perm job ends tommorrow and I will be unemployed. I think I didn't go permanent sometimes because I think that they think I'm gay (I only cd). I think there was some behind the back talk about me.

It's terrible there are blacklisting organizations in the U.K. I sometimes think there are some in the USA too.

I've even had job interviews go bad because they they knew through gossip that I was a crossdressor. My only crime was buying too many womens clothes in drab.

I think crossdressors generaly have a hard time with emploiyment.

[Billijo49504]

Hell, just claim you're gay, then you have rights..BJ

[Jasmine Ellis]

I can't say I have dear.

But been saked for throwing a news paper at the BOSS once.......:D

[sarahjan]

I was forced to resign as some TG material was found on my laptop.

[CharlaineCadence]

My old job my boss found alot of my cd and ik information on my personal aptop and threationed to fire me. then when I spoke to his wife I found out some interesting inforation about him. As in he only wears drab at work. since then we are now friends he passed away four years ago