B_0615_Newsfeed_ADA

Best Practices for Transgender Restroom Access

June 3, 2015

New OSHA guide to ensure fair treatment, safe working conditions.

To ensure safe workplaces for all employees, OSHA has released a set of guidelines to help facilities professionals provide proper restroom access for transgender workers, defined as individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Recommended practices include:

  1. Implement a written policy ensuring that all employees have access to appropriate facilities by allowing them to use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity. 
  2. Use of multiple-occupant, gender-neutral restroom facilities with lockable single occupant stalls.
  3. Single-occupancy gender-neutral facilities.
  4. Employees should not be asked to provide any medical or legal documentation of their gender identity.
  5. No employee should be required to use a segregated facility apart from other employees due to their gender identity or transgender status.

The guidelines note that requiring employees to userestrooms that are inconsistent with their gender identity or segregating occupants into gender-neutral restrooms can have a negative effect by singling people out and even causing them to fear for their physical safety. While gender-neutral restrooms may be a part of the overall strategy, no employee should be required to use them.

While the OSHA guidelines are not binding, facilities professionals are also encouraged to stay mindful of the potential application of federal anti-discrimination laws, such as an April 2015 ruling from the EEOC that maintains the denial of access to common restrooms used by other employees of the same gender identity constitutes sex discrimination under Title VII.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Buildings, create an account today!

Continue Reading

Sponsored Recommendations

Building Better Schools

Download this digital resource to better understand the challenges and opportunities in designing and operating educational facilities for safety, sustainability, and performance...

Tips to Keep Facility Management on Track

How do you plan to fill the knowledge gap as seasoned facility managers retire or leave for new opportunities? Learn about the latest strategies including FM tech innovations ...

The Beauty & Benefits of Biophilic Design in the Built Environment

Biophilic design is a hot trend in design, but what is it and how can building professionals incorporate these strategies for the benefits of occupants? This eHandbook offers ...

The Benefits of Migrating from Analog to DMR Two-Way Radios

Are you still using analog two-way radios? Download this white paper and discover the simple and cost-effective migration path to digital DMR radios that deliver improved audio...