Around two-thirds (64 per cent) of the employment gap between transgender and non-transgender workers may be down to discrimination, a new study has found.
Research by Trinity Business School and Technological University Dublin found that transgender people are less likely to be employed (12 per cent) and more likely to receive lower wages (11 per cent). The figures are based on a sample of 440,000 individuals in the US from the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System. Researchers analysed the data related to employment and wages with key characteristics such as family, education and health to see if they could explain the difference in the gaps.
Dr Klavs Ciprikis, assistant lecturer at Technological University Dublin, said: “Our research finds that structural discrimination in healthcare, education and occupation opportunities, as well as individual work preferences, may contribute to the [transgender] employment and wage gap.
“Since transgender persons do not have to disclose their gender identity to employers, government officials or policymakers can work closely with businesses to highlight some of the issues transgender persons may experience in the workplace and promote a work environment that is welcoming, inclusive and supportive.”
