Are employers prohibited from discriminating against employees who are transgender or gender-nonconforming?
In Washington, employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees who are transgender or gender-nonconforming. This includes refusing to hire someone because of their gender identity, firing them because they are transgender, or any other type of discrimination based on gender identity or expression. The Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) makes it illegal to discriminate based on gender identity or expression, so employers cannot make decisions about hiring, firing, promotion, or any other terms or conditions of employment on the basis of a person’s gender identity. This means that employers may not deny an employee a promotion, or fire them, or otherwise treat them differently because they are gender-nonconforming or transgender. Additionally, employers in Washington must also make sure that the workplace is safe and free from harassment for transgender or gender-nonconforming employees. This is because the WLAD prohibits employers from creating a hostile or intimidating work environment based on a person’s gender. For example, it is against the law for an employer to make derogatory or derogatory comments about a gender-nonconforming employee, or to treat them differently than they would other employees. The WLAD also requires employers to reasonably accommodate gender-nonconforming employees, if possible. This means that employers must consider requests for reasonable accommodations, such as access to different restrooms or locker rooms. If an accommodation is reasonable and would not cause an undue burden to the employer, they must provide it. Overall, employers in Washington are prohibited from discriminating against employees who are transgender or gender-nonconforming. Employers must ensure that they do not make decisions on the basis of gender identity, must provide a safe and harassment-free workplace, and must also consider requests for reasonable accommodations.
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