Tampa and Salt Lake City became the latest cities to join over 100 others offering employment protections to gay and transgender employees. On November 19th, Tampa’s city council approved an ordinance adding “gender expression and identity” to the list of protected classes. Two days earlier, Salt Lake City passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
This is a growing trend reflected on the state level as well. Currently, 21 states consider sexual orientation a protected class and 12 also include transgender status. As this trend continues, you need to keep up to date with the law in all jurisdictions where you have operations. You should also consider discrimination and harassment free policies that include sexual orientation and transgender status even if the law does not mandate it. This is generally a good policy and keeps you ahead of the ever evolving laws.
Brody and Associates regularly provides training and counseling on maintaining a harassment free environment and on employment law issues in general. If we can be of assistance in this area, please contact us at info@brodyandassociates.com or 203.965.0560.
