CVS HEALTH RELEASES GENDER TRANSITION GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEES, ENCOURAGES SUPPORTIVE WORKPLACE CULTURE
CVS Health has released “gender transition guidelines” for its employees, outlining the company’s policies on how it will support transgender workers in their transition process. The guidelines, obtained exclusively by FOX Business, state that employees are required to address colleagues by their preferred pronouns and names, and are allowed to use whichever restroom or locker room they wish, regardless of whether they identify as transgender.
The guidelines also explain that transitioning employees may be entitled to medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, state law, and/or CVS Health policy. The company encourages employees to inform their immediate leaders about their transition so that support can be provided to ensure a smooth transition process. The guidelines also note that transitioning employees may wish to seek medical care to support their transition, such as hormone replacement therapy and/or gender confirmation surgery.
Furthermore, the guidelines encourage employees to become allies and support their colleagues who are transitioning. They are urged to report any issues that arise during or after the transition process and to not make assumptions about a person’s gender.
The company’s Employment, Affirmative Action, AntiDiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation Policy states that CVS Health is “committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and takes affirmative action to recruit, hire, employ, develop, compensate, promote and advance in employment based on an individual’s job-related qualifications, abilities, and job performance.” The policy prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, military status, disability, and other personal characteristics.
CVS Health’s guidelines also ask transgender employees to include their preferred pronouns in their email signatures, introduce their preferred pronouns in meeting introductions, and to inform colleagues that they will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment in the workplace. The guidelines specify that co-workers must refer to transgender colleagues by their preferred pronouns and names and are not to use other pronouns or previous names.
Finally, the guidelines note that all employees have the right to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity, and the company has provided additional bathroom options, including single-occupancy, gender-neutral facilities and multiple-occupant, gender-neutral restroom facilities with lockable single-occupant stalls. Transgender employees also have the right to dress in accordance with their gender identity without fear of discrimination or harassment.
Source: Fox Business
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