Back to News

OSHA and Transgender Employees

Published on

June 5, 2015

On June 1, 2015, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced its new Best Practices: A Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers. OSHA’s issuance of this guidance was developed at the request of the National Center for Transgender Equality.

OSHA standards mandate that employers who are subject to OSHA’s jurisdiction provide their employees with available toilet facilities for each sex.  OSHA’s guidance for restroom access for transgender employees recommends that employers allow employees to use whichever restroom corresponds to an employee’s gender identity and that employees be given the freedom to determine the most appropriate restroom option.  For example, if an employee lives as a woman, but was designated male at birth, the employee should be able to use the female restrooms in the workplace.

Further, OSHA advises that transgender employees should not be discriminated against by being singled out to use a gender neutral bathroom.  OSHA also notes that employers may not require employees to provide any documentary evidence of their gender identity.  According to OSHA, if employees are afraid or uncomfortable in using a particular restroom, they might avoid using the restroom while at work, creating serious health concerns.

In its best practices, OSHA suggests two options as alternatives to the traditional men/women bathroom arrangement.  Specifically, employers may designate single-occupancy bathrooms as gender-neutral for use by all employees or install multi-occupant, gender-neutral restroom facilities with lockable single occupant stalls.  OSHA’s full guidance may be found here — www.dol.gov/asp/policy-development/TransgenderBathroomAccessBestPractices.pdf.

Based on OSHA’s guidance, even if employers do not currently employ transgender individuals, they should give serious consideration regarding the issue so that they are prepared to address it in the event it may arise.


Related News

View More News
Press Release
May 16, 2025

Barley Snyder Partner Jill Sebest Welch Honored with 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient by Manheim Township Alumni Association

For Immediate Release Lancaster, Pa. – Barley Snyder is proud to announce that partner Jill Sebest Welch has been named a 2...

Learn More
Press Release
May 15, 2025

Barley Snyder Adds Employee Benefits Attorney Nikolajs Gaikis to Lancaster Office

For Immediate Release Lancaster, Pa. – Barley Snyder is pleased to announce that attorney Nikolajs V. Gaikis has joined the...

Learn More
Press Release
April 25, 2025

Barley Snyder Managing Partner Jennifer Craighead Carey Named to CPBJ Power Law List for Second Consecutive Year

For Immediate Release Lancaster, Pa. – Barley Snyder is pleased to announce managing partner Jennifer Craighead CareyÂ...

Learn More

Other Upcoming Events

View All Upcoming Events
Jun
03
7:30 am
-
12:00 pm
event
Location

Wake Up With Barley – A Morning on Real Estate 2025

Learn More

Get in Touch

Our attorneys, paralegals and staff look forward to hearing from you. Please reach out to let us know how we can help.

Get In Touch
RECOGNIZED IN
Super Lawyers
Best Law Firms US News
Best Lawyers