‘Gender affirmation in Victorian public sector workplaces’ is a guide to support Victorian public sector managers who are supporting employees to affirm their gender in the workplace.
We have published this guide to assist managers to support positive wellbeing outcomes for their trans, gender-diverse and non-binary employees, and deliver on our obligations to provide a safe and positive work environment where all employees can thrive.
Gender affirmation is a process an employee undertakes to change the way they describe themselves. It is a personal decision and can involve navigating many life changes. It a process of self-identification that must be led by an employee, at their own pace.
Employees may use the guide to start a conversation with their manager.
This guide helps managers work alongside employees to create an environment where they can affirm their gender.
It includes a gender affirmation plan template to help guide a conversation between an employee and their manager, so that each can take practical steps to a safe and productive employment experience.
All organisations have a responsibility to ensure trans, gender-diverse and non-binary employees have a safe and supportive environment to work in, but the public sector has an opportunity to set the standard for inclusive and safe workplaces across Victoria.
This guide is just one of the ways we are delivering on our commitment in the Victorian Government’s 10-year ‘Pride in our future’ LGBTIQA+ strategy.
The guide has been developed to align with Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and gender affirmation provisions already in the Victorian Public Service (VPS) enterprise agreement. Organisations under this agreement should adapt their policies and guides about gender affirmation to align with this guide.
We developed the guide in consultation with the Victorian Government departments and other government agencies, Industrial Relations Victoria, the Community and Public Sector Union, the Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, the Victorian public sector LGBTIQA+ Pride Network and other staff pride networks, as well as with the generous time and lived experience of trans, gender-diverse and non-binary employees.