Gender marker is an indication of one's sex on government documents such as passports, driver's license, birth certificate, etc. Some countries require people to specify their sex when obtaining these forms of identification.
Some people identify themselves with nonbinary genders such as agender, bigender, pangender, transgender, cisgender, intersex, among others. Denying them this right to self-identification can have negative implications on their employment opportunities. This article focuses on how denial of gender marker affects employment.
Denying individuals the opportunity to self-identify can lead to discrimination based on sex and gender identity.
During job applications, recruiters may reject applicants whose gender markers do not match their names or appearances. They may conclude that they are lying about their identities, which could be true because they have undergone hormonal treatments or other physical changes. On the contrary, many intersex people may still possess male genitalia but do not identify as men. The rejection of their applications leads to unemployment and poverty.
Some countries prohibit the issuance of any form of identification without a gender marker. This limits transgender individuals from accessing services such as bank loans, health insurance coverage, and employment opportunities. Trans people who undergo hormonal therapy or sex reassignment surgery experience difficulty in getting jobs in the private sector since their IDs don't align with their appearance.
An individual who identifies as female may appear masculine after taking testosterone shots while waiting for the surgery. The recruiter will only see the male ID and reject the person due to mismatched features.
Employers assume that people with feminine or masculine ID cards are more likely to perform certain tasks than those with ambiguous ones.
If an intersex person applies for a position requiring physical strength, recruiters may perceive them as weaker compared to cisgender women. A company seeking to promote its brand image may require staff with a specific body type, thus favoring gender-specific identities over others. In this case, trans individuals lose opportunities despite being qualified.
Another issue is that denying someone the right to self-identify denies them access to essential services such as medical care, housing, or education.
A trans person might be denied access to a public restroom because their ID does not match their gender identity. They end up using unsafe facilities, which could lead to harassment, bullying, and even assault. These experiences make it challenging for them to focus on work when they should. Some companies may take advantage of such situations by offering low wages, long working hours, and poor working conditions to exploit workers. Such employees may not challenge these conditions fearing unemployment due to their nonconformity.
Denial of gender markers also contributes to mental health problems among marginalized groups. Intersex and trans people experience depression and anxiety due to exclusion from society. It becomes worse when they have no means of income to sustain themselves. Nonbinary individuals may feel like outcasts since they don't fit in either side of the binary system (male/female). They become vulnerable to discrimination and violence leading to drug abuse and other social ills.
Despite all these challenges, some employers are becoming more inclusive and accommodative.
Many people still suffer from rejection based on their gender identity. The international community must address this problem through legislation that supports the rights of individuals who identify with nonbinary genders. By doing so, countries can ensure equality and fair treatment of every citizen regardless of gender identity.
How does denial of gender markers on IDs affect employment?
The denial of gender markers on IDs can have a range of effects on employment. It may lead to discrimination based on gender identity and expression during the hiring process, as well as difficulties with proper identification for security protocols. Some transgender and nonbinary individuals may face harassment due to their appearance not matching the name on their ID, which could result in decreased workplace safety and productivity.