Author(s): Saad Darwish, Vannie Naidoo
Research on transgendered communities’ worldwide entails heated discussion and contentious debates, presenting challenges for the policymakers tasked with strengthening laws and guidelines supposed to ensure equal access in society and workplaces. Societal change is bringing greater acceptance of transgendered communities in businesses and the work environment. Disturbingly, however, transgendered individuals are still exploited, criticized, harassed, and disrespected within the work domain. Such instances of workplace abuse and victimization often go unreported by targeted transgendered individuals, who fear reprisals or harm. In South Africa, these issues of transgendered people have been highlighted in the media, while the country’s constitution and labor laws are premised on equitable treatment of all peoples. This paper addresses the research gap on the issues of transgendered communities in South Africa. Its key aims are to explore the social implications of being a transgendered individual, detail the legal statutes that assist transgendered communities in South Africa, and discuss the workplace ethics that companies should instill to protect transgender rights.