TGD Unemployment

Gender diverse individuals, including transgender and non-binary people, often face unique challenges in the labor market, which can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment compared to cisgender individuals.

This review aims to explore the existing literature on the unemployment and underemployment of gender diverse people in Australia.

Smith et al. (2018), “Employment Status and Workplace Experiences of Transgender People in Australia: A Mixed-Methods Analysis”: This study conducted by Smith et al. provides valuable insights into the employment status and workplace experiences of transgender individuals in Australia. Through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews, the researchers found that a significant proportion of transgender people experienced unemployment or underemployment due to discrimination, lack of workplace support, and barriers to accessing gender-affirming healthcare.
Jones and Brown (2020).

“Exploring the Relationship Between Gender Diversity and Employment Outcomes in Australia”: Jones and Brown examined the relationship between gender diversity and employment outcomes using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Their analysis revealed that transgender and non-binary individuals were more likely to be unemployed or employed in low-wage, precarious jobs compared to cisgender individuals.
The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the systemic barriers faced by gender diverse people in the labor market.

Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Report (2016), “Resilient Individuals: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Intersex Rights 2015”: While not solely focused on employment, this report by the AHRC provides important statistics on the experiences of gender diverse individuals in Australia. According to the report, transgender and gender diverse people often face discrimination and stigma in various domains, including employment, leading to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment.

Despite the limited number of studies specifically addressing the unemployment and underemployment of gender diverse individuals in Australia, existing research highlights the pervasive impact of discrimination and social exclusion on employment outcomes within this population. Future research should continue to investigate the underlying mechanisms contributing to these disparities and develop targeted interventions to promote inclusivity and equity in the workplace

Critical Statistics:

TGD People hold higher degrees at twice the rate of the general public, yet

The unemployment rate for TGD people is 19%, almost 5 times that of the general public

Almost 40% of TGD people report being mistreated, fired or denied a promotion, based on their gender identity.

My own research (Kimberly Olsen) shows that senior recruitment and HR professionals report that current state of the art recruitment processes, select the best candidate less than 50% of the time. (0.48)

This literally means that you could replace entire processes with coin tosses, get a better result for your organisatioin, and more TGD people would be employed. We don’t recommend you do that but we do recommend you take the advice of Jones and Brown and undertake targeted interventions. if you’d like assistance with those interventions, become a foundation member of TEPA’s Intersections program.

Contact [email protected]